Alison Barrett writes:
Continuing catastrophic flood conditions in Queensland and New South Wales are raising critical health concerns, both in the short and longer term.
While many are still coming to terms with the devastating impact of the flooding earlier this week, regions in south-east Queensland (SEQ) and New South Wales (NSW) are at risk of flash flooding events over the next few days, with at-risk communities in the Sydney region tonight urged to consider evacuating.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued major flood warnings today for Logan River in SEQ and Clarence River and Hawkesbury- Nepean Rivers in NSW.
Conditions are rapidly changing and it is recommended to keep up-to-date via local State Emergency Service, the Bureau and local media.
It is being reported that 13 people have died in the floods in QLD and NSW, with NSW Deputy Premier Paul Toole acknowledging the death toll is likely to rise.
The immediate damage to property and structures is overwhelming; it is estimated that 15,000 properties in SEQ have been damaged, many homes and businesses are without power, and roads and railway disrupted.
“It’s important that people continue to avoid the roads unless necessary, despite the rain easing, as we assess the damage, clean up debris and complete repairs as quickly as possible,” QLD’s Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Honourable Mark Bailey said.
In NSW, 17 local government areas are declared natural disaster zones, hundreds of people rescued in Lismore and Ballina hospital evacuated.
Immediate health concerns for communities in the flooded regions include having access to safe shelter and healthcare, clean drinking water and food supply, all of which have been disrupted.
Aboriginal communities in the Northern Rivers region have been significantly impacted with the whole community of Cabbage Tree Island evacuated and Gundarimba community cut off from town with limited supplies.
Community response to the floods has been positive and vital for ensuring access to basic necessities and safety.
The national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander newspaper, Koori Mail, whose operations are also impacted by the floods in Lismore, has been active in arranging crowd-funding and logistics to get supplies to the Gundarimba community.
In Brisbane, 8,000 people have signed up to volunteer for the ‘Mud Army’ to help in the clean-up.
While it is vital to address immediate concerns for the health, wellbeing and safety of people affected by the floods, it is also important to ensure plans are in place to address long-term financial, health, social and emotional issues. The trauma of such events can have wide-ranging and long-term impacts, for individuals and for communities.
Other longer-term impacts from the floods and storms include an increased risk of mosquito-borne illnesses, which have been detected in higher incidence in South Australia, NSW and Victoria over the past few weeks.
The floods are also a searing reminder of the need for better planning, funding and support to help ensure health and other services and systems are more equipped to cope with the escalating impacts of the climate crisis.
The reports released this week by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have plenty more to say about this, to guide responses by local communities, agencies and governments.
Crowd funders
Details for the Koori Mail crowdfunder are here. 
The link to the crowdfunder above is here.
Resources for people with disabilities
Thanks to El Gibbs for sharing this list of contacts and resources for people with disabilities.
Disability Advocacy NSW 1300 365 085
The Disability Gateway is open till 8pm should have lots of info available: 1800 643 787 Interpreter 13 14 50 National Relay Service 1800 555 677 DAISI in Ballina FREECALL: 1800 800 340 Phone: 02 6686 7887 Email: info@daisi.asn.au
Speaking Up For You – Brisbane sufy@sufy.org.au (07) 3255 1244
NDIS National Contact Centre (Brisbane office is closed) 1800 800 100
Carers QLD – Also has NDIS LAC services Carers – 1300 747 636 NDIS – 1300 999 636
Social Futures says many of their offices are closed, but has key numbers on their website.
AMPARO Advocacy for disabled people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds 07 3354 4900
Aged and Disability Advocacy Telephone – 1800 818 338 (Freecall) , or (07) 3637 6000
Impact on health and health services
Media matters
Local media play an essential role during disasters as frontline responders but are also often hit hard.
The Koori Mail was also directly impacted by the floods, but continued to provide service and support to community.
*** This post was updated on 3 March ***
See Croakey’s archive of stories on extreme weather events and health
