The torrent : a true story of heroism and survival

Six years on from Queensland's tragic 'inland tsunami', this new edition of The Torrent reconnects with the survivors at the heart of the catastrophe. On January 10, 2011, after weeks of heavy rain and as floodwaters began to overwhelm much of southeast Queensland, a 'wall of water' hit Toowoomba and the Lockyer Valley. The Torrent tells the extraordinary stories of survival and loss that emerged from that terrible day. On 10 January 2011, after weeks of heavy rain and as floodwaters began to overwhelm much of south-east Queensland, a 'wall of water' hit Toowoomba and the Lockyer Valley. The Torrent tells the extraordinary stories of survival and loss that emerged from that terrible day. Official figures state that twenty-four people died. Many escaped death only because they were rescued by members of the community or through sheer good fortune. Based on exclusive interviews with survivors, rescuers and with the families and friends of victims of the disaster, The Torrent is a unique and powerful account of human courage in the face of the devastating forces of nature. In this expanded and updated new edition, Gearing re-interviews the survivors to discover how they are getting on, recounts the traumatic findings of the Grantham inquiry, and captures the enduring and resilient spirit of the communities affected Cover 1 Author biography 2 Title page 3 Imprint page 4 Dedication 5 Contents 6 Introduction to the second edition 7 Preface to the first edition 11 From drought to flood 14 Spring Bluff 24 Murphys Creek 35 Toowoomba 49 Withcott 67 Postmans Ridge 78 Helidon 96 Carpendale 113 Grantham 126 The aftermath 166 Rebuilding 183 Controversy 196 Five years on 204 Appendices 254 1 Flash flood precautions 254 2 Why report on trauma? 258 Notes 264 Acknowlegements 272 ASix years on from Queensland's tragic & lsquo;inland tsunami', this new edition of The Torrent The Torrent is a unique and powerful account of human courage in the face of the devastating forces of nature. In this expanded and updated new edition, Gearing re-interviews the survivors to discover how they are getting on, recounts the traumatic findings of the Grantham inquiry, and captures the enduring and resilient spirit of the communities affected