Community experiences of the 2022 Australian floods | Natural Hazards Research Australia

Community experiences of the 2022 Australian floods

Research theme

Learning from disasters

Project type

Responsive disaster research

Project status

In progress

Extensive research was undertaken in New South Wales and Queensland after the January-July 2022 flooding. This research was completed in May 2023 and the findings are available below.

In Tasmania, we are seeking input from people affected by floods through a questionnaire. See the Tasmania section below for more information.

Victoria and South Australia

This project will examine community experiences of the 2022 floods in Victoria and South Australia, following on from the extensive work undertaken in Queensland, New South Wales and currently in Tasmania. It will use the same methodology employed in this previous work, involving in-depth interviews and a questionnaire. 

The questionnaire will be broad and open to anyone who was affected by the floods in Victoria and South Australia. The in-depth interviews will focus on six different locations, to explore:

  • specific issues around population responses in areas impacted with moderate and longer lead times flood waters
  • the experiences of First Nations peoples
  • the experiences of those who are culturally and linguistically diverse.

Specific locations will be determined with lead sector partners prior to the research commencing.  

Tasmania

Parts of northern Tasmania experienced destructive flooding in October 2022. This research is exploring community experiences of the Tasmania State Emergency Service flood warning system, as well as community preparedness for flood. Locations include Launceston, the Meander Valley, Kentish, Latrobe, Northern Midlands, Central Coast and Break O’Day local government areas.

Supported by the Tasmania SES, this research will inform improvements to the flood warning system and community disaster preparedness programs. 

Anyone affected by these floods is invited to participate in our questionnaire.

Every story is important and there is a wide range of flood impacts. Not everyone who was affected will have had water in their home or business. You may have chosen to spend the night away due to flood concerns, or perhaps your access roads were cut off by floodwaters and you were isolated for a period of time - all of these experiences are more are relevant.

Please note the survey is not suited to a mobile device and is best completed on a computer. 

Complete the questionnaire

Research interviews with flooded residents took place from May to July 2023 and have now concluded.

Queensland and New South Wales

Extensive and damaging flooding caused widespread destruction in many areas across New South Wales and south-east Queensland throughout 2022. This research heard the personal stories of people who were impacted or threatened by the floods between January and July 2022. This research was completed in May 2023.

Learn more about the results via the report links below or by watching the recording of A/Prof Mel Taylor's launch of the findings at the 2023 Natural Hazards Research Forum (also below). 

The research provides vital context that will assist emergency management organisations, government departments, local councils, community organisations and community members in better understanding the complexities of community experiences before, during and after severe weather.

The research is supported by the NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES).

Final report floods 2022 research

Summary report floods 2022 research

Short research engagement survey: 

Thank you to those who have engaged with our research findings on Community experiences of the January – July 2022 floods in New South Wales and Queensland.

Please provide feedback on the dissemination of these research findings via this quick survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Z73HX3M 

QR code leading to flood engagement survey

Watch A/Prof Mel Taylor briefly explain four findings in this short video:

  • Community connectedness is key
  • Recovery support
  • People want to resume their normal lives ASAP to try and maintain a sense of control, but there were many challenges in getting home after the floods
  • What people would do differently in the future

 

Here you can see Natural Hazards Research Australia CEO Andrew Gissing outlining how this research is being used and how your organisation can learn more:

Project details

Tasmania

Parts of northern Tasmania experienced destructive flooding in October 2022. This research will explore community experiences of the Tasmania State Emergency Service flood warning system, as well as community preparedness for flood. Locations include Launceston, the Meander Valley, Kentish, Latrobe, Northern Midlands, Central Coast and Break O’Day local government areas.

Supported by the Tasmania SES, this research will inform improvements to the flood warning system and community disaster preparedness programs. 

Community members who were flooded are invited to share their experiences by completing an online questionnaire, open until the end of August 2023. 

Research interviews with flooded residents took place from May to July 2023 and have now concluded.

Victoria and South Australia

Research is soon to begin in both Victoria and South Australia after the flooding in both states in spring 2022. Similar to the completed and still underway research in Queensland, New South Wales and Tasmania, this research will examine community experiences of the flooding through in-depth interviews and a questionnaire.

The in-depth interviews with community members and key stakeholder representatives (for example, SES staff and volunteers and other relevant personnel) will focus on distinct case studies in six locations across northern Victoria and South Australia to explore: 

  • specific issues around population responses in areas impacted with moderate and longer lead times (all community members)  
  • the experiences of First Nations peoples
  • the experiences of those who are culturally and linguistically diverse.

Specific locations will be determined with lead sector partners prior to the research commencing.  

The questionnaire will be broad and open to anyone who was affected by the floods in Victoria and South Australia.

Queensland and New South Wales

The research is funded by Natural Hazards Research Australia, supported by the NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES).

The field work is being conducted by key researchers from Macquarie University, the Queensland University of Technology and the University of Southern Queensland.

Researchers will be speaking with community members in flood-affected areas using two methods:

  1. An in-depth, semi-structured interview conducted either online or face-to-face (interviews have now closed).
  2. An online questionnaire open to anyone impacted by the flooding in NSW and Queensland between January and July 2022.

Participants may be asked about their awareness of the floods, actions they may have taken to plan and prepare for them, how they responded to any warnings and how they were affected by the flooding.

Participation is entirely voluntary and strictly confidential. Participants will not receive a cash payment for their participation, and are free to withdraw at any time without having to give a reason. 

Residents from areas in south-east Queensland and NSW are especially encouraged to participate (although anyone from surrounding flood-affected areas is also welcome):

  • Qld: Albion, Beenleigh, Bellbowrie, Caboolture, Dalby, Deagon, Gladstone, Gold Coast, Goodna, Grantham, Gympie, Herston, Laidley, Maryborough, Moggill, Noosa, North Burnett, Oxley, Redland, Rocklea, Rosalie, Scenic Rim, Somerset, Sunshine Coast, Warwick and Windsor.
  • NSW: Ballina, Byron Bay, Cabbage Tree Island, Camden, Central Coast, Cessnock, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Coraki, Georges River, Hawkesbury, The Hills, Kyogle, Lismore, Maitland, Richmond Valley, Singleton/Bulga, Sutherland, Tumbulgum, Tweed Shire, Uki, Woodburn and Wollondilly.

The important first-hand experiences gathered for this research will provide an in-depth understanding of the communities’ lived experiences – before, during and following the significant flood events in 2022. This data will be a valuable source of accurate information to help agencies and stakeholders understand and learn from these floods.

Results will be made publicly available in early 2023 and will help influence future policy about warnings and communication, understand vulnerabilities, identify ways to better help and support households and communities, and provide guidance on the most effective approaches to the adaptation of housing to withstand floods.