Catastrophic Feb 2022 Flood in Australia Ranks as Three Most Expensive Natural Disaster to Date
In late February and early March, a destructive flood event swept through southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales, causing widespread destruction and disruptions. This flood event, now the third costliest extreme weather event in Australia's history, resulted in A$4.8bn ($3.3bn) in insured damages.
The flood event affected multiple cities, including Toowoomba, Brisbane, and Lismore. Over 20,000 people were evacuated due to the flood, and the tragic loss of 35 lives was reported.
The flood event caused extensive damage to infrastructure, including bridges, roads, and power lines. Several major highways, including the Pacific Motorway and the Warrego Highway, were closed due to the damage. The flood event also led to the release of raw sewage into waterways, further exacerbating the environmental impact.
The flood event disrupted transportation and communication networks significantly, making it difficult for emergency services to respond and for residents to access essential services. The flood event also resulted in the loss of over 1,000 homes, leaving many families displaced.
In response to the disaster, the Australian Defence Force was activated to assist with recovery efforts. The flood event highlighted the importance of preparedness and resilience in the face of extreme weather events.
The exact meteorological cause of the cyclone that occurred in February and March in the affected regions is not specified. However, it is known that the cyclone caused significant damage and led to the flood event.
This flood event serves as a reminder of the impact of extreme weather events on communities and the importance of disaster preparedness and recovery efforts. The affected regions are working tirelessly to rebuild and recover from the devastating flood event.
