The Bundaberg River went through Shirley and Raymond's Queensland home at more than 70km/hr in January 2013. Raymond and Shirley had to evacuate and Red Cross volunteers were there to help.
Months after the emergency, people are still rebuilding their homes and trying to recover from the devastating floods in Queensland in January 2013.
Many Queensland residents are recovering from catastrophic flooding for the second time in two years. Impact from these floods comes as many people are still recovering and rebuilding their lives after the destructive Queensland floods in 2010/2011.
Ex tropical cyclone Oswald caused devastating destruction along the Queensland coast with damaging winds, heavy rain, flooding, tidal surges and tornados in January 2013.
The extent of the damage after the ex-tropical cyclone was massive, with thousands of homes, businesses, roads, bridges and services inundated. Six people died in the tragic flood crisis.
Bundaberg and the surrounding area was badly hit with flood levels rising devastatingly higher than in 2010/2011 floods. Authorities estimated more than 7500 people were affected and 3000 homes flooded.
Other regions that were affected by the floods include Rockhampton, Brisbane, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, North Burnett, Stanwell (Central Queensland), Scenic Rim, and Logan.
Red Cross is helping
Red Cross continues to work closely with local government, communities and partners in the affected areas to determine the support the communities need on their long-term journey to recovery.
Red Cross assisted more than 37, 900 people with recovery support in 19 recovery centres across Queensland since the floods began in January. The centres have since closed.
During the emergency, Red Cross worked with local councils to mobilise emergency response.
More than 620 Red Cross trained staff and volunteers provided a safe place to stay and personal support to more than 3,000 people in 22 evacuation centres along the Queensland coast, including at Bundaberg, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, Darling Downs, Lockyer Valley. These centres have since closed.
During the flood crisis, Red Cross ran the National Registration and Inquiry System to assist more than 4,300 people affected by the disaster to reunite with their friends and family.
Red Cross in partnership with the Queensland government established the Queensland Floods Appeal 2013 to provide assistance to individuals, families and communities directly affected by the floods, tornados and storm damage.
You can help
To support ongoing Red Cross work to help people prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies, donate at any time to our Disaster Relief and Recovery work.
Donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.
About the Appeal
The Queensland Floods Appeal 2013 closed 2 June 2013, after the Australian public generously donated to the Appeal.
Australian Red Cross can no longer accept donations to the Queensland Floods Appeal 2013.
Organisers of fundraising events, those who have collected donations but not banked and those who have pledged but not yet made donations have until 30 June 2013 to send collected money to Red Cross or inform Red Cross when the outstanding funds will be received.
Funds raised through the Queensland Floods Appeal 2013 will be used to assist individuals, families and communities directly affected by the Queensland floods in January 2013.
The Queensland Government appointed an independent Queensland Floods Appeal Distribution Committee, with representatives from government, local communities and Red Cross.
The independent committee's key responsibility is to oversee the distribution of public donations made to the Queensland Floods Appeal 2013.
Funds raised are being distributed through an independent Queensland Floods Appeal Distribution Committee.
If you have any questions or require further assistance you can contact the dedicated hotline set up by the Distribution Committee on 1800 901 933.
Australian Red Cross will not deduct any funds from public donations for appeal or administration costs.
Every cent raised by the Queensland Floods Appeal 2013 will go to help individuals, families and communities affected.
Should the funds raised exceed the amount required, Australian Red Cross will use any excess funds to assist in future disasters in Australia. All interest earned on donations will be invested back into the Appeal.
To support ongoing Red Cross work to help people prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies, donate at any time to our Disaster Relief and Recovery work
Photo: Jack Tran/Australian Red Cross.