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history of flooding in wollongong |
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In the past 50 years, Wollongong has experienced over 30 floods classified as serious, severe or very severe. During this period, there were also three floods that were classified as extreme. In February 1984, eight hundred millimetres of rain fell in a 24 hour period!
The last extreme flood occurred in 1998, causing millions of dollars worth of damage. You and your family may remember the flood.
Wollongong is at the base of the Illawarra Escarpment and has 8 major catchments, all of which contain creeks of various sizes. The combination of steep terrain, flat coastal areas and the proximity of properties to creeks and stormwater drains make the area particularly susceptible to flash flooding.
Flooding is a natural hazard that affects the entire community and is something we must all live with. While many residents remember the last flood event, residents new to the area may not. It is important to realise that floods can occur at any time, and that floods bigger than any previously recorded can occur.
Historical evidence in Wollongong shows that there is a high probability that structures along creeks and stormwater drains may block during major flooding. This tends to worsen the impacts of the flooding. Structures may become blocked with natural debris (for example tree branches) or with artificial debris such as shopping trolleys or even small cars, that are washed into the watercourse. This is a catchment-wide problem. It is important to keep structures clear of debris where possible. You will be able to see the impacts of blocking a structure on flood levels when you use the interactive flood model.
Wollongong is a beautiful environment to live in, and just because Wollongong is prone to flooding does not mean we should all be worried about it. Being aware of the potential of flooding and knowing how to respond if flooding occurs will make flooding easier to live with.
There is more information on the flood history of Wollongong on the Floodplain Management pages of Council’s website at http://www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/Environment/713.asp |
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