This article has been compiled from various news reports and the Queensland State Government website.
The Insurance Response is detailed at the bottom of this artice.
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| NASA Satellite Image Qld 14-2-08 |
Media labelled it "the biggest downpour to hit the city in 90 years" <Courier Mail> when two rain bearing systems collided providing more precipitation than most cyclones.
More than half the city's annual rainfall (1561mm) fell on Mackay in 10 hours. Some 624mm of rain caused waist-high water to flow down the city centre.
Mackay is 974 km north of Brisbane, Queensland. More than 2,000 homes and 100 businesses in Mackay have been damaged by flooding and some residents have been evacuated.
14 February 2008
Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts declared the Mackay region a "disaster situation" with flood assistance activation.
15 February 2008
From 9am on 14 February until today a record breaking 625mm of rain fell in Mackay, Queensland. This level of rainfall represents twice the average for the entire month for Mackay.
Evacuation centres have been set up as houses are swamped, schools and businesses closed, roads cut and the airport closed.
Electrical storms caused loss of power and breached telephone lines leaving the Mackay with mobile signal only.
There have been unconfirmed sightings of crocodiles.
Queensland Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts declared the area a disaster zone, giving authorities the power to forcibly evacuate people and animals.
17 February
26 firefighters working in damaging assessments teams inspected more than 3000 homes. These crews will continue with damage assessment, particularly focused on the CBD and outlying areas.
18 February
A second taskforce of 37 SES workers including 12 chainsaw qualified from Cairns and 25 from Brisbane arrive today.
Emergency Management Queensland spokesman Jon Hall said "Urban search and rescue firefighters have helped council officers to inspect more than 2,800 houses for structural damage from the floods".
Police have increased patrols to prevent any looting or scavenging.
At least five schools in Mackay remain closed while floodwaters subside and classrooms are cleaned up and no bus services are running. The schools include North Mackay State School, Beaconsfield State School, Mackay Christian College, Holy Spirit College and Emmanuel Catholic Primary School.
19 February
The Queensland Government has added four more shires to its natural disaster list - Banana, Gladstone, Mount Morgan and Fitzroy. This takes the total area of the state eligible for flood relief to 80 per cent.
THE DAMAGE
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has stated the damage bill will run into tens-of-millions.
Initial claims are for motor vehicles, homes and contents.
Rural properties on Mackay's outskirts have reported total rainfall of over a metre in three days.
ABC Rural reported on 18 February "Farmers still haven't had a chance to assess the damage to their cane crops, but waterlogging could cause significant yield losses. Sugar mills were inundated, and surveys will assess the infrastructure damage to the cane railway network that links up the region's farms. Local graziers are being urged to watch that cattle don't stop eating in the cool, windy and wet conditions."
GOVERNMENT RESPONSE
Victims of the storms will be able to receive about $400 per child, and a further $1000 for each adult affected during the flooding.
The Premier's Flood Relief Appeal, set up to help Emerald flood victims, has been extended to Mackay flood victims as well. Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said "The relief appeal is now close to $1 million and it will be administered by the Red Cross, and it's there for people for the added extras that don't come through insurance."
INSURANCE RESPONSE
Many hundreds of claims have been lodged for damage to motor vehicles, homes and contents.
Suncorp have advised that teams of builders and tradespeople will be sent to Mackay to deal with repairs.
RACQ have reported 600 claims, 50% being for home & contents and 50% for motor vehicle.
Insurer claim staff and loss adjusters have arrived in the area and working from mobile offices on the back of trucks.
Update:
- On 24 November 2008, Insurance Australia Group (IAG) reported their claims associated with this event were AUD$51 million.
- The Insurance Council of Australia reports total insured losses of $342 million (at 25 November 2008).
Author
Claim Solutions Pty Ltd.
Insurance Policy
Country: - Australia
Policy Description: - Various property, business interruption, home and contents, motor vehicle, and life.
Insurer: - Various
External Links
Queensland Government website
