Councils in South East Queensland are preparing for clean up efforts after heavy rain and flooding, with some areas only just beginning to recover from previous floods this year.
Although rainfall is easing across the state, major flood warnings remain in place for the Condamine, Logan and Bremer rivers, and the Warrill, Laidley and Lockyer creeks.
Some residents are still recovering from the previous floods this year in February and March, which led to many calling for federal funding to improve flood resilience.
On 12 May the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) said a low trough, along with strong easterly winds, will push rain up and over the hinterlands, leading to minor to major flood warnings across the state.
“The heaviest rainfall overnight was 227mm in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. Severe weather warning for Sunshine Coast Wide Bay, and Burnett area. Heavy rainfall could lead to flash flooding. In fact, intense rainfall could lead to life-threatening flash flooding,” the BOM said.
The Queensland Fire and Emergency service website shared that several councils created Emergency Alerts for their suburbs starting early Thursday afternoon.
The councils are as follows:
- Toowoomba Regional Council
- Somerset Regional Council
- Lockyer Valley Regional Council
- Southern Downs Regional Council
- Scenic Rim Regional Council
- Sunshine Coast
- Noosa Council
- Gympie Regional Council
- North Burnett Regional Council
Councils respond as more roads underwater
City of Ipswich Mayor, Teresa Harding, spoke to the ABC and admitted that in the community there was “a lot of anxiety”.
Mayor Harding said that it had been eleven weeks since the area’s most recent flood, and the new weather warnings meant council members were door knocking in high-risk areas to inform residents.
Queensland’s suburb, Lockyer, who already experienced flooding this year and extreme floods in 2011, is facing rising waters again.
Lockyer Mayor told ABC that “up to 260 houses could be impacted or inundated… by these waters”.
Gladstone Regional Council CEO, Leisa Dowling, has advised residents to prepare for heavy rainfall and localised flooding.
“As always, the message about driving over flooded roads is a simple one – if it’s flooded, forget it,” Ms Dowling said.
“Residents should also avoid riding or walking through flood waters, and to keep clear of creeks and stormwater drains.”
Ms Dowling reminded residents to make sure prescription medications were up to date and to stay informed via the RegionWatch website.
“The RegionWatch website is a great resource where community members can access live updates from multiple sources.”
Balonne council announced a Watch and Act No.1 for their shire. Locations in the shire have been warned regarding severe thunderstorms that produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding including:
- Roma
- Emerald
- St George
- Blackwater
- Springsure
- Carnarvon National Park
Balonne Council has a residential emergency dashboard that their residents can subscribe to and ensure they are kept up-to-date.
The Queensland Fire and Emergency Services remind residents that if it’s flooded, forget it, and SES Assistance is available by calling: 132 50
Council magazine’s previous South East Coast flood stories are available here.
