Floods through inundated urban environments constitute a hazard to the population andinfrastructure. A series of field measurements were performed in an inundated section ofthe City of Brisbane (Australia) during a major flood in January 2011. Using an acousticDoppler velocimeter (ADV), detailed velocity and suspended sediment concentrationmeasurements were conducted about the peak of the flood. The results are discussed with afocus on the safety of individuals in floodwaters and the sediment deposition during theflood recession. The force of the floodwaters in Gardens Point Road was deemed unsafe forindividual evacuation. A comparison with past laboratory results suggested that previousrecommendations could be inappropriate and unsafe in real flood flows.
