TRADERS in flood-prone sections of Beaudesert CBD were relieved their shops did not flood in heavy rainfalls brought on by Ex Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
They say it may be thanks to a major ongoing project to fix stormwater drainage in Beaudesert CBD and also due to rain falling steadily rather than in one quick deluge.
Christine Grimmett, who owns Kalico Country and is on the body corporate for Neilson’s Arcade on the corner of Brisbane Street and William Street, has experienced many floods through her shop.
She was one of several businesses in Beaudesert CBD who sandbagged, making the most of the opportunity to be prepared amid severe weather warnings.
Other businesses up and down Brisbane and William streets taped their windows in preparation for the worst.
The relief was palpable Monday morning, March 10 as shopkeepers arrived to find their shops dry after what turned out to be some heavy rainfall.
The Bulletin understands while businesses around Neilson’s Arcade stayed dry, others further up towards the post office experienced inundation from behind their shops.
The Bureau of Meteorology recorded 169.2mm at Beaudesert’s Drumley Street weather station on March 10.
As he sandbagged his shop for the first time ahead of Alfred, Andrew Hughes of Wish Hair Studio said he wasn’t taking any chances.
Mrs Grimmett said local businesses had banded together.
“There’s been great community support, people supporting each other, spending time finding out about sandbags and where to get them from – it’s just a nice feeling,” she told the Bulletin as they all battened down the hatches.
“They said the drainage is up to scratch now but they don’t know if it can handle a cyclone.
“So, we’ve just got to do the best we can and we’ve all taken precautions, so hopefully it goes well.”
