The recent flooding across south-east Queensland has been described as a hybrid of previous disasters, which could be learnt from to avoid history repeating, one expert says.
The recent flooding in south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales has been described as a hybrid of previous disasters, which offers lesson that might help avoid history repeating.She said their frequency and intensity will increase with climate changeMargaret Cook is a lecturer at the University of the Sunshine Coast and an expert in the history of Australian natural disasters.
"This is why Brisbane got so badly affected this time, and lots of places got flooded on the weekend that didn't flood in 2011," she said. “Floods are all about where the rain falls, how much of it falls and how quickly it falls," she said."The other problem is created by humans. If you look at where we've built in that time, we've built beside a lot of creeks. We've filled some creeks in. So we’ve actually interfered with the natural flow rates and the flow paths of creeks."Dr Cook said during natural cycles of floods and drought, flooding was more likely to occur during La Niña years like 2022.
“For example, concrete floors can be hosed out pretty easily, and hardwood furniture is much more resilient than plywood or timber veneers,” she said.
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