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The Cruel Floods of 2011

The great wet season of 2010 combined with unparalleled rain in early January 2011 led to a series of devastating floods across Queensland. Whilst many areas around Ripley Valley were impacted by flash flooding; it was areas near the tidal creeks and rivers that were exposed to the catastrophic flooding.

Flash flooding across Ripley Road, Ripley on Tuesday 11th January. Because of the uncertainty with flood levels, all brigade vehicles were relocated temporarily to members residences until the immediate threat was over.

The floods across Ipswich and Brisbane left thousands of people in terrible circumstances. Members of the Brigade as well as members of all rural fire brigades in the region immediately started asking how can we help.

On Thursday 13th January; an Ipswich Group Strike Team was formed to start the recovery process and were sent to Goodna. Brigades members from Mt Forbes, Mutapilly, Flinders Peak, Pine Mountain and Ripley Valley RFB's came.

Ripley Valley 52 and the view of the Ipswich Motorway at Goodna.

 

The task given by the council was to help get public thoroughfares open and safe to people as soon as possible.

As the waters subsided, the mess left behind was often beyond comprehension. Mill Street, Goodna.

The layer of mud on streets and footpaths was thick and extremely slippery. John and Adam hard at it.

The St Ives shopping centre was next on the task list.

The floods had left mess and destruction everywhere.

Whilst the clean-up of public areas ensuring safe access to shops and homes continued; it quickly became evident that there was an even greater clean-up job pending inside buildings.

The Floods of 2011.

Friday 14th January 2011 - Clean Up Day 2

The Ipswich Strike team were once again tasked to clean up the Goodna area. The water had gone down considerably from the day before exposing a lot more mess. The Brigade sent crews with RV41, RV51 and RV52 to Ipswich. John Bowles was diverted to be Divisional Controller in the Sommerset Shire area for a week to coordinate QFRS activities in areas such as Fernvale, Lowood and Esk.

Water had receded from below the Ipswich Motorway. Brian and Tracey continued the clean-up.

A typical street in Goodna.

Not a typical place for a caravan.

Everyone ended up a few inches taller for some reason.

The flood left strange reminders of it's strength and magnitude.

This quiet park in Goodna with an elevated picnic chair.

Jason, Michael and Squirt clean up around the Goodna Red Rooster.

Machinery of all kinds were needed to move the mud.

Dried mud needed to be blown away.

Day 3, Saturday 15th January and a new strike team heads off to Ipswich.

Ripley Valley RFB crews helping out at Moores Pocket.

Aeriel photo from the QT Newspaper.

The Australian spirit alive and well.

Day 4, Sunday 16th January saw another strike team assembled with RV52 attending. Ripley Valley RFB also supplied members to support the Incident Control Centre and then RV41 was called out to supply high volume pumps to drain the Goodna pool.

The strike team split up around Ipswich, draining pools and cleaning private homes.

Plenty of practice with high volume pumps. The Ipswich strike teams were stood down in the afternoon for a well earned rest with replacement crews coming in from all over the region.

Day 5, Monday 17th January and the Brigade was asked for specific tasks by the Ipswich city Council. RV41 and RV52 supplied high volume pumps to the Goodna Aquatic centre again and generators. During the wait; members helped clean up the Goodna RSL which have been a wonderful long term supporter of the Brigade.

The high pressure hose system on RV52 came in handy to quickly clean off recoverable furniture etc.

Unfortunately the RSL was fully submerged and damage was extensive.

Crews attended two more strike teams over the week-end of 22nd and 23rd January cleaning up houses around Ipswich.

John Bowles returned from his deployment as Divisional Commander in the Sommerset Shire. Some of his photos can be accessed by Clicking Here.

The Brigade would like wish all of those effected by the floods a speedy recovery.

 

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