Editorial: Queensland floods remind us of summer perils

The scale of the devastation wrought on Far North Queensland by flooding associated ex-tropical cyclone Jasper is hard to fathom. Pictures tell the story best. Entire roads and highways have disappeared under the deluge. A 2.5 metre saltwater crocodile was seen swimming through what is ordinarily a small creek — turned into a raging torrent — in the middle of the town of Ingham. The international airport in the busy tourism hub of Cairns closed off, with light aircraft sitting on the tarmac up to their bellies in floodwaters. Some parts of Far North Queensland have been hit with a third of their — very substantial — average annual rainfall in just 24 hours. In the remote Cape York Aboriginal community of Wujal Wujal, helicopter crews trying to rescue people were confronted by a “wall of water”, hampering efforts. Thankfully, the nine adults and a seven-year-old child who spent a terrifying night stuck on the roof of the community’s medical centre eventually managed to get down safely when waters receded. Authorities — including Australian Defence Force personnel deployed to assist — are doing their best under extremely trying circumstances to minimise the loss of lives and property. It is to their absolute credit that there have as yet been no reports of deaths or major injuries. With the severe weather warning for the area cancelled yesterday afternoon, it would appear the imminent threat in Queensland has now passed. But, as unfortunately too many of us have experienced, when it comes to natural disasters, the pain does not pass as the floodwaters recede or fire front dies down. No doubt the damage bill will be astronomical, and repairing damaged homes and infrastructure will be a long, arduous process. Ex-tropical cyclone Jasper is a timely reminder that in Australia, our festive season is often accompanied by perilous weather. In WA, we have seen this already this year, with 18 homes wiped out in the Wanneroo bushfires in November. And we know there will be more to come, with the weather bureau predicting this summer will be one of WA’s hottest and driest seasons on record. The north of the State also faces the usual seasonal risks of flooding and cyclones. Areas of the Kimberley are still recovering from the devastating floods of last season. The Wanneroo fires and now this devastation in Queensland is an inauspicious start to the summer. It shows there is no room for complacency. It cannot be denied that the danger posed to us by natural disasters is growing each year. Flooding and fire crises are now an expected part of our summers. That makes it all the more important to prepare. Having a plan in place can be the difference between life and death, between having a home and losing it all. Governments too have an important role to play in ensuring we are as prepared as we can be, and are ready to respond when disasters inevitably do occur. Responsibility for the editorial comment is taken by WAN Editor-in-Chief Anthony De Ceglie