QLD and NSW Floods Appeal /

How you can help people and communities affected by the QLD and NSW floods.

Australian Red Cross has launched the QLD and NSW Floods Appeal for people and communities in Queensland and New South Wales affected by the 2022 floods.

Your generosity can help Red Cross teams to provide humanitarian support. Based on ongoing needs assessments in Queensland and NSW and the amount raised, that support may include:

Enabling volunteers and staff to help with evacuation and relief centres and outreach service 

Supporting people and communities to recover and build resilience to disasters 

What’s happening 

Queensland 

• Southeast Qld has experienced storms and intense rainfall since 22 February 2022, leading to major flooding and dangerous conditions from Hervey Bay to the Gold Coast and west to Toowoomba. 
• Southeast Queensland experienced more heavy rainfall over the past two days.  Although it is expected to ease over the weekend,  these conditions are likely to continue to hamper clean-up efforts from the Sunshine Coast to Ballina in the north of NSW. 
• 4 major and 8 minor flood warnings are currently in place.  
• Multiple roads remain closed in Southeast Queensland. Some Qld Rail services remain suspended. Approximately 16,000+ premises are without power in Southeast Qld. 
• Approximately 15,000+ homes have been flooded. 
• Qld Emergency Services made 132 rescues on 28 February and have responded to more than 12,000 requests for assistance so far. 
• Sadly, 10 people have lost their lives. 
• Places of refuge and assembly areas opening and closing as required. 5 evacuation centres are currently open in Brisbane, Moreton, Somerset and Maryborough, with recovery hubs in Moreton Bay, Ipswich, Laidley, Somerset, and Brisbane.   

New South Wales 

• The intense rainfall and thunderstorms that started over Southeast Queensland have impacted large parts of coastal New South Wales, from the Queensland border down to the Victorian border and inland in the Hunter.  Numerous communities in the Northern Rivers area are isolated. 
• The rainfall has eased slightly, but there are still currently 24 flood warnings in place. 
• Widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop across eastern NSW, from mid-north coast down to the Victorian border. 
• Approximately 95,117 people in NSW are currently subject to an evacuation order or warning. 
• The town of Ballina was evacuated on 2 March as the Richmond River burst its banks. Flood levels are falling in Lismore with rain having eased in the catchment area. 
• NSW SES has received over almost 13,000 calls to help affected people and has made over 1,600 flood rescues. 
• Sadly, 5 people have lost their lives. 
• 31 evacuation centres are open. 

Red Cross Response 

Red Cross is providing psychosocial support and assistance at multiple evacuation and relief centres across Qld and Northern NSW.

Centres are opening and closing as needed – please double check before heading to a location. 

• For NSW check: https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/
• Red Cross Presence in NSW Evacuation Centres, to view locations please download the pdf.
• Red Cross Presence in QLD Evacuation Centres, to view locations please download the pdf.

The situation is rapidly evolving and we anticipate further support will be required. 

• As at Friday 4 March 2022, a total of 298 Red Cross personnel have been active in the emergency response in Qld and over 50 Red Cross personnel have been active in the emergency response in NSW.

For the latest updates on Red Cross’ response, see https://www.redcross.org.au/donation/qld-and-nsw-floods-updates/  

We will be providing financial assistance to help individuals and families affected by the QLD and NSW floods. We are currently seeking donations through our Qld and NSW Floods Appeal to be able to commence providing this support. We understand that people need help urgently. We will provide more details on how much will be disbursed, eligibility criteria, timelines and processes for application as soon as we can.

Our Register.Find.Reunite. service is open for the Qld and NSW rainfall and floods. This service helps people who have been separated in an emergency to get back in contact with each other: register.redcross.org.au. On 2 March 2022, RFR was opened for flooding in Sydney Metro & surrounds and stood up on 3 March 2022 for the Central Coast.

Visit register.redcross.org.au to register your location or to enquire about someone who may be in an area affected.

The Public Information and Inquiry Centre (PIIC), has been activated in NSW to provide accurate, up-to-date general information to the public, and to also answer inquiries regarding the flood event which has impacted on the community. Call 1800 227 228.

For immediate assistance 

• For immediate help or life-threatening situations: Call 000
• For help with damage: Call the State Emergency Service on 132 500
• For government assistance, including financial assistance: Visit disasterassist.gov.au for available support
• For mental health enquiries or people in crisis: Call Lifeline on 13 11 14
• For insurance claims: Call the Insurance Council of Australia on 1800 734 621
• For information on the disasters: ABC local radio or Twitter @ABCemergency