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Disaster Preparation, Response and RecoveryFlood and storm damage
Case studies2011 - Queensland floods and Cyclone YasiJanuary 2011 brought disastrous weather events to Queensland. The first many knew of the impending disaster was when an "inland tsunami" saw a wall of water rush through the main business district of Toowoomba. As the torrential rain continued, a major release of water from the over-capacity Wivenhoe Dam combined with saturated flood plains resulting in the worst floods since 1974. Many libraries in Queensland were inundated and communities devastated. Many university libraries (and campuses) were closed and their IT infrastructure disrupted. Four Brisbane City Council library branches were evacuated of book stock, and Fairfield library was inundated with a meter of water. The Prime Minister visited the site six months after the flood, shortly after the reopening of the library and surrounding shopping centre. The basements of many buildings in the Brisbane central business district were flooded, causing the closure of businesses and government offices for up to 3 weeks. Some government libraries were affected as were many law libraries in the Eagle St Pier district. The Maryborough Special Needs Resource Centre and Toy Library was inundated by flood waters twice and the BoysTown library in Brisbane was completely destroyed. The Lockyer Valley, nestled below Toowoomba was the site of terrible flooding with the township of Grantham nearly obliterated. Laidley and Esk Libraries sustained flood damage, but resumed services within weeks. Toowoomba library also sustained some damage. The State Library of Queensland on the south bank of the Brisbane River sustained some flood damage in The Edge. The main State Library Building sustained minor damage in the lower floor but all collections and equipment remained secure. The library was closed to the public for a few weeks. TAFE libraries also sustained damage on several campuses. The sector most heavily affected was the school library sector. In all, some 84 state schools, 2 Catholic schools, 2 independent schools and 1 school of distance education reporting damage. Many lost library stock in their main collections as well as in classrooms. Following on from the floods of January 2011, our colleagues, friends and families were again struck by disaster and tragedy when Cyclone Yasi struck the northern Queensland coast on 4 February 2011. It devastated much of an area, centred around Tully, that was still recovering from the effects of Cyclone Larry in 2006. Those of us who were not directly impacted can only be humbled by the resilience and community spirit shown by all of those caught up in the tragedy. The Qld Flood Relief Fund is still accepting donations so please be as generous as you can. Reports
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2011 - Victorian floodsParts of Victoria were flooded due to the same weather system that caused havoc in Queensland in January 2011. Some libraries were damaged, for example the Rochester Branch of Campaspe Regional Library was relocated to the Lockington Community Centre after sustaining water damage. Mostly however, libraries were just threatened and preventative measure such as stock removal and sandbagging prevented more extensive damage. Victorian floods - information from the Victorian Government 2006 and 2009 - Coffs Harbour Regional MuseumSpeaking at a meeting of NSW local studies librarians in March 2010, Terrie Beckhouse, co-ordinator of Coffs Harbour Regional Museum, explained how the premises were flooded not once, but twice. The first time, in 1996, torrential rain swept through the building, which was built on top of a creek. The museum suffered huge losses from water damage and mould. The building itself was severely damaged, as the concrete base sank, leaving gaping holes. In April 2009, it happened again. This time 22-inches of water came through the doors and up through the floorboards. The force knocked over sturdy wooden plinths. Exhibits swirled around the staff and volunteers who were wading about, trying to put items up on tables. It was only later that they realised the power had been left on - and later still that they discovered the water they had been immersed in was contaminated. In the immediate aftermath of the flood, many of the museum volunteers had their own disasters to deal with at home, and so volunteers from the art gallery stepped in. Their help was very much appreciated, but they had no experience of handling museum objects and this created its own difficulties. Conditions were hot and humid, and volunteers were so intensely focused on the task in hand that they neglected to take care of themselves. Some became dehydrated and most found wearing protective masks and gloves in the heat very uncomfortable - so much so, that they took them off. This became a worry, as within 24 hours mould was growing on the carpet. Experts told the volunteers to evacuate the building when the mould turned a toxic yellow and there was a further delay before the salvage work could make serious headway. The museum was given an industrial unit and in the 12 months since the disaster, volunteers have worked tirelessly to salvage the collection. An incredible 95% has been saved but many hundreds of hours have gone into the restoration and no date has yet been set for a return to the museum. Contact
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