Due to the extreme floods in Queensland, Australia, the state may have needed up to $ 1 billion to repair the damage caused by natural disasters.
Queensland Deputy Prime Minister Steven Miles told AAP on March 3 that early estimates of the disaster were about one billion.
“It’s clear that the flood disaster emergency here in the southeast isn’t over yet, but the recovery process has begun,” Miles said. “Early estimates can be up to $ 1 billion in damage from this disaster.”
Flood that started later Meteorological system What is called a “rain bomb” caused heavy rains in Queensland for several days, expelling thousands of people from their homes and causing widespread destruction in the southeastern part of the state.
The Australian Insurance Council believes it is premature to determine the total cost of Queensland flood damage, but by March 2, more than 37,800 SEQ claims had been filed. He said there were signs that this number would be higher. .. Insurer Suncorp had over 13,000 claims on March 2, which the company expects to grow.
Steve Johnston, CEO of Suncorp, told AAP:
Johnston said the state is clearly facing significant losses after the flood and needs to rebuild lost or damaged buildings in a more flood-resistant way to limit future flood damage. ..
“The necessity here is to repair a house that has been repaired three or four times,” he said.
Bills to repair flood damage are expensive, but the cleanup process has already begun as Queensland’s Mad Army 2.0 collects large amounts of flood damage outside businesses and homes. “Mad Army” is a volunteer group founded after Queensland’s devastating floods in 2011 and is run by the Brisbane City Council to help clean up harmful post-floods.
Meanwhile, Brisbane Mayor Adrian Schliner told AAP that the cost of the flood would not exceed the cost of the catastrophic flood that struck the city in 2011.
“I don’t think it’s going to be that level. I think it’s going to be less than 2011, but we don’t have the numbers yet. This will take some time,” he said.
“It’s too early to determine the amount of damage. There are a lot of assets that we haven’t got yet,” Schliner told AAP. “Ferry terminal, river walk-there are many heavily damaged parks, so it will take some time to put together the numbers.”
This is because Glen Hartwig, the mayor of Gympie’s Central Queensland City, said local businesses need a long-term recovery.
“It is imperative to show some attention and compassion to these individuals, who often mortgage their kidneys to get involved and get the most out of their entrepreneurship,” Hartwig told AAP. “It’s very likely that you won’t be back on Mary Street, so we’ll talk to everyone involved to see what we can do to help them.”
“They are good people, hard-working people, love the community, love the community, so they want them to prosper,” he said.
Brendan Moon, CEO of the Queensland Department of Disaster Reconstruction, said the current goal is to restore critical infrastructure while returning people to their homes and businesses, AAP reported.
“This will be a big job for Queenslander, but we’ve done this before. Communities, local governments, state governments, and the federal government are working together to restore the community as before. We will support you, “says Moon.
In addition, residents of the Gold Coast and Gladstone Municipalities (LGAs) affected by the severe floods have access to financial and support services, including emergency hardship subsidies.
Grants are designed to cover the cost of important items such as food, medicine and clothing. You can go up to $ 180 per person and up to $ 900 per family of 5 or more.
Queensland’s Minister of Community and Housing, Leeanne Enoch, said: Media release On March 3, we announced that grants would continue to be available for residents of the most affected areas suffering from financial difficulties.
In a media release on March 3, Enoch said, “We have received a request for assistance from the local government and we continue to make it available to those in need of grants and assistance.”
“Thousands of people across Queensland have flooded their homes and businesses, thousands have been isolated, and many Queenslanders are now beginning to do the painstaking work of cleaning.”
“The effects of a very serious and serious flood continue, and sadly some of the Gold Coast and Gladstone are not spared,” she said.
Enoch, floods affect them, Queenslander Queensland Government Website For updates.
The Queensland Government has said financial assistance and grants are available for uninsured Australians who have experienced certain losses or damages from floods. Financial assistance is available under the jointly funded Federal / State-Disaster Relief Financing Agreement (DRFA). Grants for uninsured Australians have been income-tested and include the Essential Household Content Grant, the Structural Assistance Grant, and the Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Grant.
Meanwhile, Suncorp CEO Steve Johnston said on February 28: Media statement The insurer is ready to monitor the situation carefully and assist the customer.
“Safety is a top priority, as we continue to face critical and dangerous weather conditions today,” he said. “Customers need to file their claims when it’s quick, easy and safe to submit online. Arrange for emergency repairs, arrange temporary accommodation for customers whose homes are severely damaged, urgent purchases We can offer cash payments for. “
Johnston said the residents would challenge them for the next few weeks as they returned home and began assessing the damage, but company staff were ready to help them recover. Stated.
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Lily Kelly is an Australian-based reporter for The Epoch Times, dealing with social issues, renewable energy, the environment, health and science.