(TLP:CLEAR) Extreme Precipitation in Northern Australia Leads to Significant Flooding and Infrastructure Impacts

Summary: Parts of Queensland in Northern Australia have experienced extreme precipitation and flooding in recent days, which has led to some fatalities and the disruption of infrastructure services. This heavy rainfall comes on the heels of other extreme weather events across the country, including cyclones, extreme temperatures, wildfires, and more.

Analyst Note: Extreme weather events are expected to become more frequent and intense as the earth’s climate continues to heat up. Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology said parts of Queensland had received six months of rainfall in three days. The flooding, induced by the intense rainfall, has caused at least two fatalities and left thousands of people and businesses without power. The flooding has also disrupted one of the region’s primary transportation corridors and led to the partial collapse of a bridge that will slow down the delivery of critical supplies, according to the Queensland Trucking Association.

One Australian scientist noted that Australia has always had extreme weather. However, climate change is “warming Australia and surrounding oceans at an unnatural pace, changing our weather patterns and modifying the structure and moisture content of the atmosphere. These all ultimately lead to changes in the occurrence and intensity of many extreme weather events.” With utilities set to experience more extreme weather events going forward, WaterISAC’s encourages its members to take steps to prepare. This can include improving your utility’s power resilience or ensuring you have enough supplies at your facility to ensure continuous operations for an extended period of time.

Original Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp3j2w41qkko  

Additional Reading:

• ‘Really worried’: flood-weary north Queensland prepares for more rain as Albanese and army arrive
• What’s driving north Queensland’s deadly, record-breaking floods?
• Extreme weather is Australia’s new normal
• ‘Intensely hot’ weather continues in south-eastern states as Victoria battles bushfires

Mitigation Recommendations:

• EPA – Build Flood Resilience at Your Water and Wastewater Utility
• EPA – Power Resilience for the Water and Wastewater Sector
• EPA – Water and Wastewater Sector Supply Chain Resilience

Related WaterISAC PIRs: 16, 17, & 18