EDITORIAL: Every flood is different and last week’s event was no exception.
Changing landscapes, new developments, private earthworks and many other variables such as higher rainfall in different catchments and dam releases – even missing river data – all play a part in how communities are affected by flood.
Some residents in the Gunnedah district have reported the August 2025 floodwater was higher at their property than the 2021-22 floods – this despite official river heights listing lower levels than five years ago.
One Gunnedah resident in town who has experienced many floods over the years, was adamant this flood was bigger than 2021-22 when the river reached a peak of 8.6 metres. They even had photos to prove it.
In other areas, residents supported the official advice that the flood height last week never reached beyond 8.5m.
We may never really know for certain the final peak as the Bureau of Meteorology conceded “erroneous real-time data” meant some figures were wiped from the official total in Gunnedah.
What is universally accepted, however, is that floodwater moves slightly differently each time – filling fast in some areas first where it wouldn’t typically flood until a much higher flood peak and leaving other areas almost bone dry.
Residents on the northern side of the Namoi River have also reported areas of inundation where water is not typically seen during flood.
Some question the role of Keepit Dam and “late releases” as having an impact on the movement of water. Some suspect the timed water flows are shifting things sideways in the way water travels through the area during flood.
Adding to complexity are manual flood gauges which populate the region and bring an additional unknown element into forecasts. Then again, Gunnedah is an automatic gauge and even that proved problematic this time. If anyone is looking for some ‘light’ reading over the weekend, the Bureau publishes an 80-page report about how flood forecasting and warning services are interpreted in NSW and the ACT.
It is easy to see why predicting the final outcome is fraught with difficulty and a constant challenge for authorities trying to get a handle on things when community angst is at an all-time high.
It’s inevitable after every major flood event, the discussion of a levee bank crops up again. But even those who have seen their share of floods in Gunnedah have their doubts about the practicality. Not only for unintended consequences north of the river but also for a levee’s ability to suitably protect the Gunnedah township – where water movements are constantly changing as floods encroach from the river bank and underground through backed up drainage systems as well.
Floods have been around a lot longer than us, and like fire and other dramatic natural disasters, will always capture the attention of a nation.
Drought on the other hand – which one could argue is more devastating – receives little of the same sympathy or support from the power brokers. But bet your bottom dollar, the next one will be here before we know it.
We are familiar with accommodating disasters in rural and regional areas – it’s the get-on-with-it attitude that has and will continue to serve us well into the future. But if you are doing it tough from these floods, talk it over someone you trust, and reach out for help from the service providers standing by to assist. Know that you’re not alone and no matter what, there is always hope.
Specialist mental health Disaster Recovery Clinicians are available in affected regions of NSW. To contact a Disaster Recovery Clinician, call the NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511.
