THE COST OF FLOOD DAMAGE IN NYNGAN

Four surveys were conducted to assess the cost of direct and indirect flood damage to the New South Wales town of Nyngan, which was inundated in the 4-6 hour period after its flood protection levees were breached on 23 April 1990. A survey of flood damage to 24 residential properties, 14 commercial properties and 6 public authority properties was made by personal inspection. Surveys of flood damage to other public properties, of the worth of the volunteer effort in the evacuation, clean-up and recovery phases of the disaster, and of the value of donated goods and money were made by telephone and letter. The results of all surveys are presented and discussed. The use of a computer model to estimate property damage throughout the flooded area is described. Finally, the total cost of flood damage in Nyngan ($47.3 million) is dissected by type of damage, property sector and community sector.