Queensland Flood Table Top Exercise

Queensland is a state of Australia that occupies the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory to the west, South Australia to the south-west and New South Wales to the south. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean. The state is Australia's second largest by area, following Western Australia, and the country's third most populous after New South Wales and Victoria.

For this exercise you are the Emergency Management Director for a Toowoomba (nicknamed 'The Garden City') is a city in south-east Queensland, Australia. It is located 127 km (79 mi) west of Queensland's capital city, Brisbane. With an estimated district population of 128,600, Toowoomba is Australia's second largest inland city and its largest non-capital inland city.

Tawoomba River December 18th flowing normally through the townships Tawoomba River December 18th flowing normally through the townships. The river has a peak capacity of 2.1 meters.

A tropical cyclone has hit heavily and has caused mass flooding just to the North of the town.

The river banks which peak normally at 2. 1 meters are now 13 The river banks which peak normally at 2.1 meters are now 13.2 meters flooding entire, streets, local hospitals and schools.

With the river bursting its banks, water has inundated the town, below is an image of an area where the river is hardly noticeable. To view footage of the devastation in the local area, click on the movie icon.

KEY Issues The majority of all landline, cellular, and radio-repeater communication is inoperable in the affected areas. Road and rail throughout the area has been cut off Resident evacuation is now a high priority

ACTIVITY 1. Think about what agencies you would need to deal with a disaster of this scale? 2. What would those agencies be tasked to do? 3. What role would the media play in such a disaster? 4. What other resources above State level would you require? 5. What other resources above State level would you require?