Flood damage assessment
Effects on the local economy
The Lower Johnstone River region is a primary industry
based economy serviced by a number of townships, the
largest being Innisfail. The region comprises predominantly
floodplain lands used for sugar cane, banana and pastoral
activities. During flooding under existing conditions,
agricultural
activities sustain substantial flood damage, reflecting
the location of these activities in the floodplain.
Damages are not limited to the agricultural sector with significant damages also occurring to residential property, businesses and public infrastructure, particularly in larger floods.
Flood damages are classified as tangible or intangible, reflecting the ability to assign monetary values. Intangible damages arise from adverse social and environmental effects caused by flooding, including factors such as loss of life and limb, stress and anxiety.
Tangible damages are monetary losses directly attributable
to flooding. They may occur as direct or indirect flood
damages. Direct flood damages result from the actions
of floodwaters, inundation and flow, on property and
structures. Indirect damages arise from the disruptions
to physical and economic activities caused by flooding.
Examples are the loss of sales, reduced productivity
and the cost of alternative travel if road and rail links
are broken.
For the purposes of this assessment, flood damages are classified into the following categories:
Tangible and Intangible.
