Not a mention of the floods here as yet - maybe everyone is either desperately trying to rescue collections or in a state of disbelief. I wonder what we as a profession should be preparing for in the aftermath of this devastation?
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Hi All
below copy of email sent to a collegue who emailed me about how things were ( her original email at the end)
Hi Danni
Not sure if this reply is going to whole list but happy for it to be…
'Catch Your breath" is right I've been busy. Firstly, the City Archives and Museum of Brisbane collections ( its a joint facility) are fine. Unfortunately, while we had planned for a possible flood ( and the building is above 1974 flood levels) the verocity of Tuesday's rain caught us off guard with regards to timing - I was in the city for a meeting in the morning and realised by lunch time things were dire and made the call to go home rather than work ( opposite ends of the city) so left a collegue on site to lock up the building.
The area around the building is low lying ( near Rocklea) and our worse case senario was that access roads to building would be cut off but the building would be high and dry. This is exactly what happened. When they revised the possible flood peak on Wednesday and I examined the new modelling there was an increased possiity the bulding could be flooded ( just outside the border) so I was in contact with our facility management people to prepare what might be required but unable to reach the site so not sure. I must also acknowledge my collegues at the State and National Archives who emailed and phoned offering assistance ( thanks Niles and David).
At 5.30am Thurday when the river peaked below the 1974 levels I breathed a sigh of relief and was 99( maybe 95!)% sure the building would be safe and then revised planning for a possible electricity failure. late Thursday afternoon facilities management managed to access the industrial site where the building is located and emailed me with pictures to confirm it was ok and surrounding buildings had power so assume estate had power.
Further relief on my part and then further revised planning for airconditioning/ dehumiderfier failure ( 100% certain given all certain power loss to building at some stage) and made arrangements to meet Electricans onsite 8am today Friday. I then rang my other staff member who was on holidays but lives closer to the site to come as well in case I had logistic problems getting there. (I live in the western suburbs which have been all but cut off from other side of City) In the end we both arrived on site around 7.30am this morning ( took me an hour ( normally 20mins) - smart Rob rode his bike!) A collegue at Museum of Brisbane also turned up ( power and communication problems meant we hadn't been in contact since Tuesday. )
After securing the switchboard - electricans advised we needed to aircon people onsite to get airconditioning to collections area restored ( dehumidifer working) but temp readings were fine. Air con people on site by 11am and airconditioning restored to collections area by lunch time. Then the 2 hour trip home for me! We will be fully operational again from Monday.
Still, we were very fortunate - personally my house is fine and we still have power ( about 40% of area probably doesn't.) I spent Wednesday/ Thursday working at the local Library as most of the regular staff coudn't get there - its located in the local Shopping Centre which has been ( the shopping centre) open continously since Tuesday - the only road to the west of the centre was cut off about 1 kms beyond the centre trapping about 100,000 homes - many people could get back there or were evacutaed or lost their homes and the shopping centre became home for a while or at least a place to stay in the day. The local Coucnillor ( who couldn't reach her home) set up a small evaucation centre in the library community meeting room ( we closed the library services at the usual times including 8pm last night) Amazing experience - people so positive, yet grateful to be able to borrow a book or dvd, sit in an airconidtioned space, watch TV, use internet or more importantly charge mobiles etc - people counter over 1000 in two days. Also Wed helping standed motorists navigate backroads out of suburb ( the main road east of the centre was blocked about 2 kms from it) Even able to provide practical conservation tips ( many people who had to evacuate stuck the precious stuff in the roof). So many people just want to help. One of the centre coffee shop owners had his daughter and friend driving all over brisbane anyway the could to source bread etc to keep providing meals.
Over the weekend scores of volunteers will be bused over the city by Council to help with clean up and as a council staff member may be involved in coordination of this ( have begged only half a day though - better try and restock the pantry - the local bakery had fresh bread as I returned home today what luxury!)
So, like many Brisbinites my thoughts are with those much worse off - in time there will reviews and learnings but for now its practical help, talking and reaching out
Annabel
Volunteer for the recovery efforts by registering now and being prepared to help later
The recovery efforts for the Queensland floods will be a slow and complex process, with volunteers required to help in the weeks and months to come.
Volunteering Qld maintains continual contact with key disaster management agencies and will notify registered volunteers as new opportunities to help become available via this CREW page.
To offer your assistance call the CREW team on 1800 994 100 or fill in the online form online at http://www.emergencyvolunteering.com.au/
Steve - this ABC article covers the library and gallery:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/01/12/3111440.htm
David
Hi Alice-Anne
Its incredible! Hopefully you will have a calm evening in the evacuation centre and will be safe. Take care, Catherine
National Archives of Australia, Brisbane Office
The NAA Brisbane Office at Cannon Hill is high and dry, and in no danger. Though some staff are cut off from the office, we expect to operate as usual today and tomorrow.
While we are a small office, we may be able to assist member organisations, particularly if your need is for controlled emergency storage or temporary office facilities. We currently have a trained conservator on staff. If we can assist, contact me at david.swift@naa.gov.au or 0403 851 234.
At this stage we can only hope that good forewarning has helped to minimise damage, and that recovery efforts will be successsful.
David
Email to SLSA staff from our Director
"Many of you will have already heard that our colleagues at the State Library of Queensland have had the lower floors of their building inundated. Fortunately they had time to move collections to the higher levels. Last night I offered their Acting Director, Rory McLeod, the support of the State Library of South Australia and the assurance that we have staff on standby to come to their assistance in the recovery period, if needed. I am sure that you will join with me in hoping that the damage is as limited as it can be in these dreadful circumstances and that the staff and the collections of the State Library of Queensland come to no lasting harm."
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