Queensland flooding live updates: Water creeps up in Bundaberg amid major flood warning

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Major flooding is occurring along the Callide Creek and Don and Dee Rivers in Jambin and the Dawson River at Baralaba, west of Gladstone.

The Callide Creek at Jambin is currently at 5.45 m and steady, with major flooding and is expected to peak near 5.70 m this evening.

 Along the Dawson River downstream of Theodore, major flooding is occurring at Baralaba, Karamea and Beckers. 

Based
on the nearby gauge, the river level at Baralaba is expected to be above the major flood
level of 9 metres and rising and could reach about 13 metres this evening from local runoff.

Further rises are likely later in the week
as flows from the upper Dawson River arrive.

SES Bundaberg local controller Kieran Galey said crews were split between delivering sandbags for those in need and doorknocking in areas at risk of inundation.

He said crews were preparing for 20 homes and more than 100 businesses to potentially be affected as floodwater rose.

“And as those waters start to recede, we’re going to start getting a clearer picture of who has been impacted, and we’ll be getting our SES crews into those properties to help them with that clean-up process and any hose-outs that are required,” Mr Galey said.

The SES controller said a “very big, significant amount” of people had already left their homes for either refuge centres, or to the homes of family and friends.

“We do encourage them that if they are in those areas that are going to be impacted, that they do leave their properties now before it is dark, because it is safer on the roads in the meantime until tonight.

“They may not be able to see that water.”

While we provide updates on the flooding situation, a farmer north-west of Brisbane has shared an adorable story featuring very cute puppies, a flooded creek and a tractor.

Don’t just take my word for it, have a read.

Jennifer Nichols has the story: 

In the Banana Shire, many residents and small towns are cut off with flooded roads.

The township of Moura recorded 280 millimetres since Saturday, with 100mm to 150mm recorded all around the shire yesterday.

There are 54 roads closed across the shire, including the main access routes of the Dawson Highway from Biloela to Gladstone, Dululu to Biloela through the Burnett Highway, and the Leichhardt Highway around Banana.

The towns of Cracow, Theodore and Baralaba are mostly isolated.

Speaking to local radio this morning, Banana Shire Mayor Nev Ferrier told residents to stay home unless necessary.

“We’re running around this morning to work out which [roads] we can get going, it’s all hands to deck,” he said.

“When it floods like this, we have so many that don’t turn up for work that don’t live in town, so they can’t get to work.”

On the Fraser Coast, the Mary River is expected to peak about 6m on Tuesday evening in Maryborough.

“We do not expect to see any inundation of houses or businesses that are not right on the river,” Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour says.

The Mary River at Maryborough (ABC News: James Taylor)

Further south, the Tiaro Water Treatment Plant, which gets its water directly from the river, has been closed.

It is expected to be closed for one to two days until flooding recedes.

Fraser Coast Regional Council says there is sufficient storage in the meantime.

The Mary River at Maryborough (ABC News: James Taylor)

Justine Herringe from Chinchilla shared these images earlier today — the water level in these spots is likely much higher now.

Charleys Creek is expected to reach major flooding between 3pm and 6pm today.

(Supplied: Justine Herringe)

The creek is expected to peak at 6.8m at Chinchilla about midday on Thursday.

(Supplied: Justine Herringe)(Supplied: Justine Herringe)

The Tallon Bridge and Burnett River Bridge have closed.

Bundaberg Mayor Helen Blackburn says the river has been rising a bit slower than anticipated but it is still expected to reach 7.6m.

A leave immediately notice was issued earlier today for people in Bundaberg North, South, Central and East.

There are several major flood warnings in place for rivers across the state.

As of 3:45pm these are the rivers with major warnings:

Lower Condamine River and Charleys CreekThomson and Barcoo Rivers and Cooper CreekWarrego RiverDawson River and Callide CreekUpper Balonne RiverBurnett RiverMary RiverBaffle CreekGeorgina River and Eyre CreekThe red icons indicate rivers with major flood warnings. (BOM)

Ergon says there are now more than 1,700 in the Bundaberg region without power.

The majority of those are for safety reasons as they de-energise the network.

Dozens of Bundaberg residents made their way down to the river to keep an eye on the water as it rose.

(ABC News: Lucy Loram)

Rutchaya Sariboot has lived in North Bundaberg for more than a decade.

She says she’s mostly concerned for her 20 or so animals (including cats, dogs, chickens and ducks) at her home as they’d be hard to pack up and move.

(ABC News: Lucy Loram)

Coyne Mahoney’s family home sits on the Burnett River in Bundaberg.

It’s been inhabited by her family for more than 100 years and, so far, floodwaters have never reached the floorboards, she says.

“It’s a little concerning, but not that concerning.

“If there’s anything under the house … you’re prepared to lose that.”

(ABC News: Lucy Loram)Coyne and Nixon live on the river in a house that’s been in her family for more than 100 years. (ABC News: Lucy Loram)

Reporting by Lucy Loram in Bundaberg.

Vision from the news chopper shows the situation in Bundaberg clearly.

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Low-lying commercial businesses and homes have been inundated and the river is swelling into nearby streets.

(ABC News)(ABC News)

The Bureau of Meteorology has shared this map with all the latest flood warnings.

(BOM)

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the Burnett River at Bundaberg is inching ever closer to the 7m major flood peak.

This is the latest update from the BOM, published just before 2:30pm.

(Supplied: Bureau of Meteorology)

The Western Downs Regional Council says it expects major flooding at Charleys Creek in Chinchilla between 3pm and 6pm on Tuesday and continue to build until it peaks at midday on Thursday.

A flood emergency warning has been issued for residents to prepare to leave.

The council says some homes will be affected, likely into the night, so residents are being urged to prepare now and not wait until after dark.

The council says the township of Warra, north-west of Dalby, is also at risk of being affected by floodwater about midnight tonight, with highway closures likely.

An emergency warning to prepare now has been issued for the town, which is 35 kilometres south-east of Chinchilla.

Residents are encouraged to stay with family or friends where possible and use the disaster dashboard for updates.

Western Downs Mayor Andrew Smith says no evacuation centres have been opened in the region so far.

We’ve just heard an update from Premier David Crisafulli, Bundaberg Mayor Helen Blackburn and Police Chief Inspector Grant Marcus.

Here’s a quick recap of what they said:

Leave immediately notices have been issued for Bundaberg North, South, Central and East280 houses and 120 businesses are likely to be impactedParadise Dam is at 200 per cent capacity with water flowing overExtra emergency services personnel have been sent to the Bundaberg area to bolster resources760 roads across the state have been impacted by the weather, including flooding and damageNine schools have been closed across QueenslandNearly 1,000 livestock have been lost and there has been significant damage to cropsAbout 1,000 properties have lost power. Phone service was temporarily lost at some sites but has been restoredRockhampton is on alert with water expected to flow into the Fitzroy River, Gympie is also being watched 

Chief Inspector Grant Marcus says there aren’t any concerns around structural safety at Paradise Dam.

The major dam is at 200 per cent capacity, with water flowing over.

“Sunwater have a number of alert levels,” he explains.

“There’s no issues with the structure of the dam.

“The concern is around the amount of water going over the dam.”

Police Chief Inspector Grant Marcus, who is also the district disaster coordinator, says evacuating residents in affected areas is the police’s key focus.

“It is about saving people’s lives and making sure people are safe,” he says.

While some roads have been closed, Chief Inspector Marcus says Bundaberg is not cut off and supplies are still coming into the town.

After several rescues, he says police have better things to do than rescue “idiots” who drive in floodwater.

Some people have also been rescued from their boats, he says.

Mayor Helen Blackburn says the bridge that connects the north to the south could take days to reopen.

“We’re in consultation with the BOM, we’ve been advised it’ll take somewhere between 24 and 36 hours,” she says.

She says the residents in the north are aware that when it rains, there is a risk of flooding, adding she hopes people are prepared.

“We don’t want them staying if they’re not in a safe place,” she says.

She says some people have already made use of the evacuation centre.

Emergency services and local authorities are preparing for a “busy night ahead” in Bundaberg.

“We’re hoping people have chosen to leave immediately which means it will be less busy for emergency services,” Mayor Helen Blackburn says.