Severe Weather Watch: Flooding Emergency Spreads Across Parts of Queensland

A low pressure trough is drawing in significant moisture, producing showers and rainfall across large portions of Queensland, as well as the possibility for locally intense thunderstorms in certain locations.

Bundaberg residents are bracing themselves for major flooding as the Burnett River is expected to reach 7.6 metres today and tomorrow morning. Emergency alerts have been issued for low-lying areas to evacuate, including those living on low-lying land.

Central Highlands

Severe Thunderstorm Watches are issued when conditions are ideal for the development of severe thunderstorms across a broad area within several hours, but that does not guarantee severe weather will happen; rather, there’s just an increased chance that it might do.

Residents in low-lying areas have been advised to prepare to evacuate as the Burnett River is predicted to reach major flood levels this evening and continue rising into tomorrow. Emergency services have been door knocking at-risk streets, while Bundaberg Mayor Helen Blackburn confirmed both bridges connecting north and south Bundaberg have been shut.

Warnings are issued whenever there is the possibility that hazardous weather or hydrologic events such as floods, tornadoes or gale force winds pose an imminent risk to life or property. Examples include floods, tornadoes and gale force winds.

Capricornia

Capricornia, which covers Rockhampton and extends along the Pacific coast to Yeppoon, has been hit hard by rainfall. A low pressure trough drawing moisture from inside is set to bring widespread showers and severe thunderstorms – leaving residents at risk.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns of widespread minor to moderate flooding with isolated major floodwater events likely. Flood waters pose a risk, so anyone affected should immediately evacuate if necessary.

Bundaberg residents are bracing themselves for flooding similar to 2010 levels, as the Burnett River is expected to peak this evening. Bundaberg’s mayor advised those living in high-risk areas to evacuate. She also informed people that both bridges between north and south Bundaberg would be closed off.

Wide Bay

Two Chinese backpackers were killed after their car became submerged in floodwater near Kilkivan in southeast Queensland’s Wide Bay Burnett region due to heavy rainfall over recent days, which caused flash flooding inland areas of this region.

Emergency crews were required to carry out five technical rescue operations within an hour on Friday afternoon in Bargara. The first involved rescuing two adults trapped in their car on a flooded causeway at Bargara.

The Burnett River at Walla is expected to remain above moderate flood levels until Saturday morning. Residents in the area are being reminded to remain vigilant and have a disaster planning strategy ready.

Sunshine Coast

Queensland residents should heed official warnings issued by both the Bureau of Meteorology (subscription required) and their local council early warning alert services in case flooding and storms threaten.

Widespread minor to moderate flooding is possible across most of the state with isolated major flood events possible as lows move off the coast.

Rainfall should taper off by Tuesday morning, though locally intense rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms remains possible for parts of Central Highlands, Wide Bay & Burnett, southern Capricornia, and central interior districts.

Bundaberg residents were advised to evacuate after the Burnett River reached major flood levels in some areas. A woman and child were rescued from their car on a flooded causeway in Bargara this morning, as was also another woman stranded by flooding on a highway nearby.

Northern Territory

Helen Reid from the Bureau of Meteorology stated that heavy rain is starting to shift south in Queensland. Over the next couple of days we should witness this slow-moving system contract offshore,” she stated.

Northern Territory police have warned residents against entering flood waters, as doing so could put their lives and those of others at risk of injury or even death. Residents living near Katherine river have been evacuated as major flooding levels rise along it, with police warning residents not to enter as flooding waters could inundate and inundate communities within Katherine.

The government reports that sandbags can be found at 14 Chardon Street in Katherine and assistance for flood victims can be accessed in Litchfield and Coomalie Shires as well as Wugularr/Beswick, Naiuyu/Daly River and Palumpa via Secure NT’s website. Details on how to access payments is also provided there.