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Information on fatalities from¯ooding in Australia has been compiled from newspapers, historical accounts, and government and scienti® c reports. Records covering 1788 to 1996 indicate that at least 2213 persons have been killed in¯oods in Australia. The overall decadal death rate has decreased from 23.98 per 100 000 population in the 1800s to 0.04 per 100 000 in the 1990s. The greatest number of fatalities has occurred in New South Wales but, taking population into account, Queensland has been the most vulnerable state historically as, more recently, has been the Northern Territory. Most fatalities have occurred during February, and amongst males (80.6 per cent). The overall male:female death and death-rate ratios are both 4:1. Whereas the male:female death-rate ratio has¯uctuated over time from 10:1 to 1:1, it does not approach equality. Most fatalities (38.5 per cent) have occurred through attempts to cross creeks, bridges or roads in times of¯ood. Another 31.5 per cent of victims were in housesÐ the majority awaiting rescue, or simply unaware of the¯ood. Of the total known deaths, work-related fatalities have accounted for 12.4 per cent, and recreational pursuits for 5.7 per cent.

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