Bernieboy

A wee dig at the aussie cricket team there vimpto

Pollyana

From Bundaberg today - As floodwaters continue to rise, Bundaberg residents are being warned that the risks are more extensive than drowning, with a high potential for catching diseases from contaminated waters.
and
Bundaberg Floods 2010 facebook page

Central Queensland Floods

Pollyana

If anyone wants to or can pass any of this info on, especially to local people in affected areas -PLEASE do so.
Details on anyone evacuated - please contact Red Cross or the local councils, NOT 132500.

If you are in Alpha, Jericho, Baralaba, Dalby - please boil all water before drinking

Pollyana

Flood level in Emerald will be the same level as 2008 at 2am THURSDAY (thats in 4 hours time) - peak expected Friday morning up to 0.5metres higher than 2008.
Every phone in Emerald should now be getting that but if any of you know people out there, please male sure they are aware of it.

Pollyana

Emergency Management Queensland Assistant Director-General Bruce Grady has renewed calls for residents to stay well away from floodwaters. “If you’re thinking about heading out on the roads, make sure you check the Transport Main Roads website for any road closures or hazardous situations. You don’t want to get caught out. It’s about using commonsense, if it looks unsafe, don’t risk it.”

Mr Grady praised the hardworking members of the SES, during this disaster.
“Since this weather event began on Christmas Day, the SES have received about 7000 calls for help to the 132 500 number. The highest concentration of recent calls has come from in the Bundaberg and Burnett area, with 424 calls for help received. Other significant areas requesting assistance included Hervey Bay (183), Rockhampton (134) and Emerald (102),
“Our volunteers are out in force helping residents with tasks such as sandbagging and tarping. They are also door knocking in areas of concern, to ensure residents are aware of what steps to take,”
“These volunteers have gone above and beyond during this flooding event. Many of them have spent time away from their loved ones during the Christmas break to help those people in need."


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On a personal note -we couldn't do our job without them, so thanks guys........

Pollyana

Rockhampton is now looking at a 9.4m level by Tuesday, may rise higher after that. To give you an idea how serious that is, Rockhampton airport runways face a possible impact at 8.5metres and the airport is likely to be closed from late this weekend.
See HERE for some info on evacuation centres, likely impact etc.

If you know people in Rockhampton, or anyone heading that way in the next few days, pass the word on if they are now already aware.

The town of Condamine was evacuated today due to the river rising - 100 people being airlifted out; thats the second complete evacuation.

Pollyana

And this is when it gets to the personal side - one of our own posters affected - http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=698456

Best of luck Welsh Viking, lets hope things improve and the rivers drop so they can cope with the next lot of rainfall........

Pollyana

Pictures from Emerald and the Fairbairn Dam, central Queensland.......

Pollyana

Updates on ROCKHAMPTON

The Yeppen roundabout on the south side of Rockhampton was closed overnight leaving road access only from the north. Gracemere is unable to be accessed from Rockhampton due to the floodwaters on the roadway in the vicinity of the Yeppen roundabout.

Motorists travelling on the Bruce Highway should stop at Gladstone or Mackay.

Rockhampton airport is CLOSED for several days at least.
Rockhampton station and rail lines/yards are closed.

Power will be cut to areas where cotinued supply becomes unsafe,

It is thought that 150 homes will be inundated in Rockhampton in next few days. 2000 homes will have water in their yards.

Evacuation Centres have been set up - contact the local council or Red Cross.


850,000sq kms = more than half of Qld, and 200,000 Queenslanders now affected by the floods

Alfresco

Sheesh! It's pretty bad.

Pollyana

The Courier Mail has loads of pics, absolutely terrible. They have just got hold of a "before the flood"pic for one of those I posted above, so here is Last week - and Now

Alfresco

They must be gutted. Such a beautiful house. Must be many like that though.

BigH68

some idiot decided it was a good idea to go swimming in the Fitzroy this morning and was swept away.............wasting the time of the emergency crews...they never found him...tit!!!!

BigH68

heard that it wont be long till it is closed going North too

Pollyana

Press Release from QPS

With the rising Fitzroy River expected to reach major flood levels of 9m by this afternoon or early tomorrow morning, Rockhampton has now been cut off by road, rail and air.
The decision to close the Rockhampton Airport and highways to the south and west was made yesterday with the Bruce Highway the last to close at 7pm last night, Saturday 1 January 2011.

The Bruce Highway heading north to Mackay is still open to outbound traffic at this stage, however inbound traffic to Rockhampton is restricted.

Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor and Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) Chair, Cr Brad Carter said it was an important step to ensure the safety of all road users.

“The decision to close the highways was proven to be spot on, with half a metre of flood water now covering the Capricorn Highway at Yeppen.

“This is another step in preparing our community for major flooding with a 9.4m river peak expected on Wednesday.”

It’s also important to note that the airspace around Rockhampton is now restricted and all non-emergency use must be approved by the District Disaster Management Group (DDMG).

Mandatory evacuations are now underway with some Depot Hill residents already evacuated between midday and 7pm yesterday. More mandatory evacuations will occur again today.

“We also want to remind people that swimming and boating in flood waters is a high risk activity and we are urging everyone to stay clear of all flood waters – the speed of the flood water is one factor however there is also many known underwater obstacles such as street signs, trees and shrubs which pose a threat.

“Only boats with essential travel requirements should be travelling in flood waters.

If you are unable to secure alternate accommodation Council has prepared an evacuation centre at the Central Queensland Community Sports Complex, located at the Central Queensland University (CQUniversity) on Yaamba Road. A map showing the Sports Complex (Building 81) can be viewed on Council’s website www.rockhamptonregion.qld.gov.au.

The evacuation centre is open however please contact the Local Disaster Coordination Centre on 1300 652 659 if you require this service.

Currently there are 30 residents utilising the evacuation centre, however this number is growing by the hour.