Queensland's Western Downs region is on high alert as flood warnings have been issued following heavy rains inundated the area. The Western Downs Regional Council cautioned residents about the rising levels at Jandowae Dam, where the spillway exceeded the moderate flood mark of 0.5 meters, prompting potential evacuation protocols.
According to Queensland Police Service (QPS), residents are strongly advised to prepare for the worst. Rainfall has been relentless, with Jandowae witnessing 75.2 mm on Tuesday alone, contributing to the already saturated ground conditions.
Seqwater officials confirmed they are mobilizing their flood operations center and have commenced controlled releases of water from Somerset Dam and Wivenhoe Dam, where persistent rain could lead to dangerous conditions. Matthew McCann, a Seqwater representative stated, "We’re starting to conduct some controlled gated releases from Somerset Dam and Wivenhoe Dam over the next few days," stating the goal is to return these storages to levels safe for potential future rain events.
Thirteen ungated dams are spilling water, and McCann emphasized the importance of adhering to exclusion zone warnings. "Those are the areas we really impress on people to adhere to the warnings and stay away from those areas; they can become very unpredictable and unsafe very quickly," he reiterated. An alarming statistic from the upper Brisbane catchment area highlights the severe threat—just 5 mm of rain presently translates to substantial runoff.
The Bureau of Meteorology had previously issued severe thunderstorm warnings for parts of Southeast Queensland, and unfortunately, the rain did not hold back. Following heavy showers, the South Burnett Regional Council issued emergency alerts warning of potential flash floods, which later transitioned to clean-up operations along the Burnett River and surrounding regions.
Mayor Andrew Smith of Western Downs expressed confidence among residents, stating, "There is water about; the Jandowae Dam is referable, and we have to have emergency action plans when we pass certain water heights over the spillway." He reassured the public about the dam management and underlined their preparedness for rising water levels. "The Jandowae community is very familiar with the dam and these warnings, but it is important to prepare," he emphasized.
The clean-up efforts are presently at the forefront for areas like South Burnett, which is focused on recovery after suffering devastating impacts from flooding. Mayor Kathy Duff noted, "We’re cleaning up now and trying to get everyone back on their feet… there’s been massive damage (to the road network)." The storm system earlier rained 50 to 90 mm of rainfall across the region over short periods, severely impacting local infrastructure and leaving residents reeling.
Rescue operations have been underway as emergency services responded quickly to incidents caused by the deluge. One notable case involved rescuing two adults and one child trapped inside their vehicle by floodwaters at Lockrose. Thankfully, all were unharmed and did not require medical treatment.
Emergency responders remain vigilant as storms continue to threaten the region. Weather forecasts suggest additional rainfall with the possibility of thunderstorms over the next few days, leading authorities to closely monitor conditions. "There will be showers and chances of storms across those areas, but they are not expected to be severe," assured Felim Hanniffy, senior forecaster at the Bureau of Meteorology.
Authorities are assiduously monitoring the catchment’s state, with confidence expressed by Seqwater spokesperson Jay Merritt, stating plans to close crossings like Twin Bridges and Savages Crossing with anticipated inundation. "We’re going to have Twin Bridges and Savages Crossing inundated, local councils will take the appropriate action to close those crossings." Residents are cautioned to stay alert and prepared as the risk remains substantial.
Residents are urged to stay informed and follow local media outlets for updates, as the situation is still fluid, with officials closely assessing the projected weather and flooding danger. With expectations for recovery following this extensive deluge, authorities anticipate challenges, particularly with restoring damaged infrastructure to normalcy.
With flood warnings currently active for the Boyne and lower Burnett rivers, along with other creeks and rivers, the focus remains on the well-being of the community and their safety. The impacts of this rainy season's flooding have pricked concerns across the region, steering discussions on flood management and the township's infrastructure resilience. Community spirit remains strong as they prepare for uncertain weather approaching over the coming days.