General Chat

Tony,I'm glad that your daughter has returned safely from her holiday.I was just talking with my sister this morning,she's in Newmarket and said that the "Wall of water" is about 3 suburbs away from them.They are waiting until the floods peak at 4am tomorrow to see whether they will be flooded or not.They have no fresh water,but have power,a landline and mobile reception at the moment.She said that an area 3/4 the size of Queensland is under water at the moment,with more properties expected
to be affected.I just can't imagine the scale of that water,a disaster of these proportions has never happened here before,areas that have never experienced floods are now under water.I heard on the news that 40,000
homes were under water,or was that 400,000? After a while you just go numb thinking of the scale of destruction.My heart goes out to the people of Toowoomba and the other areas which have already been affected,and to the people who will be affected, I hope you all can find safe shelter from these floods.

Thank you Tony,for putting this on this board, you are doing a great job!

FB can be a wonderful tool... Cut and paste from a friend's status: "CAN ANYONE HELP THIS LADY??????? Debra Ryan HELP NEEDED - my stallion is at Deception Bay with flood water rising. I need any one at Deception Bay with a spare stallion yard. I can't get a float to him. I need to swim him out. He is near blue pacific drive ring 0403698827 PLEASE. CUT. AND PASTE p...assing it along can anyone help this lady.... PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN !!!!!!!!!""
14 hours ago ·

FLOOD UPDATE.

Brisbane's inner-city workers are emptying the capital as floodwaters break the
banks of the Brisbane River, with over 6000 properties expected to go under when it
peaks on Thursday.

Locals are describing the situation in Brisbane as "mild panic" as city workers rushed
to evacuate, clogging public transport and highways.
The SES have advised for all affected areas to brace themselves for the day ahead
which threatens to be a repeat of the past 24 hours.

ABOUT 56,000 properties are without power in southeast Queensland, with more to follow
as the flood crisis continues, Energex says.
Spokesman Bill Lyon said there were still plans to progressively shut off power to
large parts of the CBD, with Energex waiting for final talks with disaster managers.

"We expect to have the CBD this afternoon pretty much isolated down in the
lower part ... and also along the Brisbane River we're taking out equipment
to minimise damage," Mr Lyon told the ABC.

He said repair crews were still unable to reach many flood-hit communities,
particularly in the Lockyer Valley where flash floods have torn through towns.

"We cannot get access to assess the situation," he said

Today, Lord Mayor Campbell Newman warned the worst of the flooding was yet to come,
with Thursday likely to be ‘‘devastating’’.

Cr Newman said latest flood modelling suggested 6500 properties could be
inundated, with 16,500 to be partially affected.

However, since then authorities have updated their modelling.
Brisbane City Council has released a new flood map showing the likely affected areas,
with as much as 12,000 cubic metres of water expected to be flowing out of the Brisbane River per second on Thursday at 3am.

Premier Anna Bligh now says up to 40,000 homes could be affected.


Rain continues to fall widely across Queensland and is not expected
to ease until late in the week.

Experts have been blaming this, and the exceptionally dry conditions in Western Australia,
on the worst La Nina on record - a result of rising ocean temperatures over the
last 100 years.

‘‘It’s just a mass exodus from the Brisbane CBD,’’ Ms Campion said from her home in Brisbane’s north.

‘‘It’s actually scary - it’s not something I’ve seen here."

Her husband also left work and rushed to their local supermarket which was inundated by shoppers stocking up on supplies.
‘‘There’s no bread, there’s no D batteries and the local Coles is packed,’’ Ms Campion said

A number of buildings in the CBD and Fortitude Valley were self-evacuated, with Eagle Street at the pier now under water, according to police.

At South Bank, the Brisbane River has broken its banks, with water lapping across the riverside boardwalks in front of the State Library and Performing Arts Centre and CityCat stops underwater.

Ian Mitchell walked from his South Brisbane home to have a look at the swollen river.

“I came about midday but now I think it’s risen about 200 or 300 millimetres,” he said.

In the Queen Street Mall, most shops are closed, including the Myer Centre. Some have displayed signs alerting customers they have shut their doors due to the floods.

Broadway On the Mall, Myer and Hungary Jacks have also pulled their shutters down.

West End residents have been urged to move to higher ground, while the river has also reportedly breached its banks at New Farm and Auchenflower.

North of the city, Caboolture has been totally isolated while Strathpine residents are also being told to make for higher ground.

Roads are crowded and thousands of people are flocking to use public transport as the CBD empties.

Brisbane Airport remains open. There have been reports that buildings in the neighbouring suburb of Pinkenba are taking water and residents have been urged to seek higher ground.

Earlier today, the gates were thrown open to commuters at Brisbane's Central Station.

Translink spokesperson Andrew Berkman asked customers to be patient throughout the afternoon peak.

“The weather and associated flooding has impacted on all modes of public transport, with bus, ferry and train services all impacted to varying degrees,” Mr Berkman said.


Brisbane suburbs likely to be affected by flooding:

Brisbane City
Bulimba
Chelmer
Coorparoo
East Brisbane
Fairfield
Fig Tree Pocket
Fortitude Valley
Graceville
Hemmant
Indooroopilly
Kangaroo Point
Lytton
Milton
Moggill
Murrarie
New Farm
Newstead
Norman Park
Oxley
Pinkenba
Rocklea
Sherwood
South Brisbane
Tennyson
Yeronga
Yerongpilly
Windsor
Wacol

I have a niece in GAtton whose family are fine however her optometrist business has been destroyed.

my OH nephew lived in Sinnamon Park and he is fine too as he is high up on that development area, but are without power, and cant get out of the suburb.


Its raining very hard here today, so you can understand just how Aus wide this weather system is, the wind is warm strong and full of water.
Annette
Albury NSW

Hi Tony,and everyone on this thread,

I have a brother Neville and his family living in Rockhampton also a sister Carmel and her Son.
They both live in the Depot Hill area which is still under water Nev's home escaped being inundated by 5 cm's , they packed all the furniture & took it to their's son's house

They moved 2 weeks ago when the water started to come into their property, and they say it will be another week before they will be allowed back as the electricty is still off .

The water is receding very slowly.

My sister also got out early and went to the evacuation centre at the University over North Rockhampton, I still havent heard from her.
I am not worried as I actually saw her sitting next to the Prim Minister when she visited the evacuation center, no doubt she will call me when they are allowed back home.

I have cousins who live at Zilmere I think they will be ok and I also have a cousin at Roachdale, I dont think the flood will affect them.,I also have a cousin out at Sinnamon Park which I think is north of Wacol I do hope she is ok.

In all the years I have lived, I have never seen so much flooding with all the Major rivers in QLD in flood at the same time, and I have seen a lot of flooding in my time.

I fear this will continue for some time as the wet season in the north has only just begun, and if their is another cyclone this disaster could be repeated.

To all our cousins in the UK please say some prayers for those who are suffering the loss of their Loved ones and their homes,please pray that everyone will find the strength to carry on.

Thank you for your concern and thank you Tony for letting every one know how bad it is.

Marie from Bathurst NSW Australia.

We have close friends who live in Moggill, one of the Brisbane suburbs under threat of flooding. I emailed them last night ..... and got a reply back this morning.

They are worried, of course, but think they will be OK. They live in one of the old Queensland houses, built up on stilts to allow air to circulate under the hosue (the original air conditioning!) ................ and were dry on the main floor in the last major floods in 1974. So they are hoping they will be dry this time as well.

BUT they had been exceptionally worried for a few hours earlier .... two of their grandchildren were staying with their other grandparents in Toowoomba when the surge of water went through there. Fortunately, they eventually made contact with the children, and they had not been in any danger. In fact, they had been in the movie theatre when the surge went through!



Thank you for keeping us updated, Tony



sylvia

Well done Tony on this thread, you have explained everything that has happened and what will happen so clearly, as well as how people are trying to cope with such a disaster and families waiting for news of their loved ones. Thank you

Glad that your daughter arrived home safely before all this happened.

Hi Tony,

Watching this disaster unfolding is quite surreal. It is so hard to take in the devastation. We are getting regular updates on our radio and television stations.

NZ has sent over some rescue workers to do what they can to help.

I wish we could do more...

Susan

Tony I don't think I've spoken to you before but,
just want to say how sorry I am to hear of this
disaster and my prayers and thoughts are with
all concerned. Good to hear that your daughter
is safe and well.

Emmax

Glad your daughter is safe Tony.

Thanks for information about Rochedale not being affected,as we are worrying about friends,

Mau x

First few photos are of the town of Laidley, where youngest daughter was last week on holidays.

Glad she is home back in Victoria now....... thank heavens.


Pics from the courier mail.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/gallery-e6frer9f-1225985231174?page=1

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/gallery-e6frer9f-1225983022068?page=1

I have just received an email and photograph sent by my son who lives in the centre of Brisbane, he just said 'I am okay Mom', the photograph taken from his balcony shows the water flowing past the flats where he lives...more than ironic though because the house he owns in the UK became a victim to the recent adverse weather conditions with burst pipes which flooded the whole interior....nature having a ball it appears....my prayers go out to all living and involved in the disaster areas

Joyce P

Latest update: 5:pm East Coast.

Thousands of Brisbane homes to be flooded

Ms Bligh said authorities were considering declaring a mega-disaster zone over a "significant region" of Queensland, a move that would be unprecedented in the state's history

Forecasts show about 6500 properties will be flooded in Brisbane, Lord Mayor Campbell Newman says.

He says the next few days will see a large-scale disaster unfolding across the city, ahead of an expected peak in the Brisbane River on Thursday.

Mr Newman said the 6500 homes and businesses expected to experience direct, "significant" flooding would affect 14,900 people.

He said a further 16,500 properties would be partially affected by flooding.

"So the situation is very serious," he told reporters on Tuesday.

People flee as Brisbane road closures grow


Brisbane roads are becoming choked as people leave work to secure their homes from floodwaters which are closing a growing number of roads.

Riverside suburbs are worst affected, including Milton, where Douglas Street, Camford Street, Eagle Terrace and Huxham Terrace were inundated.

Milton Road was not inundated at 1pm (AEST) on Tuesday but traffic is congested, police said.

At Fairfield, cars were beginning to float down Ashby Street and at Jindalee the DFO factory outlets were evacuated, causing major traffic delays around the Sinnamon Road on-ramp to the Centenary Motorway.

Trains cut off

Rising floodwaters have cut train services north and west of Brisbane.

Southeast Queensland's public transport operator Translink has closed the Ipswich to Rosewood train services and there are no trains north of Burpengary to Caboolture and as far north as Gympie.

"There are no trains beyond Ipswich and no trains between Burpengary and Gympie," a Translink spokesman told AAP.

"Strong currents in the Brisbane river has also caused the cancellation of all river cats and ferries."

He said buses in Caboolture and the Redcliffe area have been cancelled and a limited number of bus services in Ipswich but most bus services in Brisbane are still running.

"There are a lot of disruptions and there will be lengthy delays in bus and train services," he said.

Residents urged flee early

Other major flooded roads included Sandgate Road near Pedder Street at Albion, in the city's north, Queenswharf Road at North Quay in the CBD and Gympie Road at Lawnton, north of the city.

Police were urging people to give themselves plenty of time to get home from work safely.

A full list of flooded roads was available on the Queensland Police Facebook page: www.facebook.com/queenslandpolice.

It's feared Brisbane could be about to experience its worst flood since the catastrophic 1974 event, when at least 6700 homes were partially or totally flooded in the Brisbane metropolitan area.

The Wivenhoe dam was subsequently built to the protect the city.

Ipswich residents evacuated

Some residents at Ipswich were also evacuating areas close to the rising Bremer River on Tuesday.

"I'm told by the experts we are likely to see levels similar to the dreadful 1974 floods," Mayor Paul Pisasale said.

The floods of '74 flooded 1800 homes and businesses in Ipswich, and 41 homes were washed away.

On Tuesday, the Wivenhoe Dam was at 173 per cent capacity. It can take up to 200 per cent. Somerset dam, which feeds into Wivenhoe, was at 160 per cent, the SEQ Water Grid said.

It said controlled releases from Wivenhoe would need to be increased further on Tuesday.

"These releases are being made in consultation with the Bureau of Meteorology and local councils and aim to limit downstream impacts where possible," it said.

"Note, these large releases are necessary for the safe management of the dam."

It said water levels in Somerset were expected to continue to rise on Tuesday and areas around Kilcoy were likely to be impacted by the rising dam levels.

Residents in the upper Somerset townships of Kilcoy, Jimna and Linville are being urged to conserve water due to the impacts of local flooding on water infrastructure.

Water infrastructure damaged

Water Grid spokesperson Dan Spiller said vital water infrastructure in those areas had been damaged by flood waters, cutting off the raw water supply.

"We have a limited supply in local reservoirs that is expected to last one to three days.

However, we will ensure that critical supplies are maintained. In the meantime, we are asking people to conserve water while we repair equipment and organise alternative supplies," he said.

In Jimna and Linville, rising waters have impacted infrastructure that supports the region's supply.

Approximately 1,000 residents on town water across these three areas were affected, it said. "We are asking people to restrict non-essential water use ...," Mr Spiller said.

Car parks in Brisbane's CBD have opened their boom gates, telling people to get their cars out. Sky News reports public transport in the CBD will be suspended within the hour.

CityCat and CityFerry services on the Brisbane River have already stopped

Hi Tony


Thanks for this


I followed your link to the Brisbane affected suburbs .... we have friends who live in Moggill, which is one of the affected areas.


We will be worrying about them tonight, and hoping that the fact that they live in an old Queensland house on stilts will be an advantage!



sylvia

Tony, so glad your daughter is safe at home but sorry that so many are suffering and there have been many a sad loss of life.

It seems every New Year brings a tragedy with it, linked to the weather. I hope the water goes down soon and people can start sorting out their lives but nothing will be the same for most of them with special things ruined and businesses gone, more importantly those who have lost loved ones will never get over it.

My thoughts are with everyone affected and may those lost, rest in peace.

Lizx

CURRENT UPDATE: Floodwaters are moving into West End in the heart of Brisbane, with people being urged to move to higher ground.

Police have urged all residents who live or are currently near the Brisbane River at West End to move to safer areas.

"The Brisbane River has risen and we are starting to see the water enter streets in the low lying areas of West End,’’ police said.

There have also been reports of businesses being evacuated in Fortitude Valley.

Two riverside restaurants in Brisbane’s CBD are evacuating and stripping their businesses in preparation for inundation.

Staff at Jellyfish restaurant and Boardwalk Bar and Bistro were pulling furniture and electrical appliances out of their restaurants on Eagle Street Pier this morning as they watched the river level rise.

Eight thousand Brisbane properties could be at risk of flooding tomorrow, while 400 streets may also be affected in some way, according to Brisbane City Council forecasts issued yesterday.

The Brisbane River has already started to rise further this morning, with police issuing advice for all people who are currently near the river at West End to move to higher ground.

''The Brisbane River has risen and we are starting to see the water enter streets in the low lying areas of West End,'' a police statement said.

''There is no further information at this stage but we would like to remind residents of the dangers of flood waters. Flood levels can rise and fall quickly, please do not enter any flooded areas.''

Meanwhile, a severe weather warning has been issued for much of southeast Queensland, including Brisbane and the southeast coast, Darling Downs and the Granite Belt southeast of Dalby to Goondiwindi.

The Bureau of Meteorology is warning of heavy rainfall causing localised flash flooding and worsening the existing river flood situation.

The council identified 455 properties that would experience some flooding tomorrow, at least 221 of which were homes and businesses.

These high-risk properties include residential and business properties in Albion, Auchenflower, Brisbane City, Bowen Hills, Bulimba, Fortitude Valley, Graceville, Hemmant, Indooroopilly, Kangaroo Point, Lytton, Milton, New Farm, Newstead, Norman Park, Oxley, Pinkenba, Rocklea, Sherwood, Tennyson, Wacol, Windsor and Yeronga.

A spokeswoman said the council's modelling had also identified an additional 7731 properties that may possibly see some flooding either on the land or outside the property, depending on the severity of flooding.

Cr Newman said there was no need for people to panic, but urged them to check council flood maps to assess their risk.

Mau.
Rochedale is further down South/East from Brisbane CBD and i dont think this area is affected yet...by the main floods.




A Map of affected suburbs around Brisbane at the moment. ( updated every hour )

http://www.abc.net.au/news/infographics/qld-floods/brisbane.htm

Can anyone living in Brisbane please tell me if Rochedale is effected by the floods,as I've friends living there,and not heard from them.
Thanks
Mau

A terrible situation and on such a vast scale.
News reports here try to give some idea of the disaster area by linking the size to whole European countries.
Our thoughts are with you all, hoping the waters recede soon and no more lives are lost.

Gwyn

Hi Helen.

News is telling us that about 30 suburbs around Brisbane are on flood alert, and may be affected soon.

Suemaid.
Thoughts for your family in Port MacQuarie mate.
Hope all will be safe.

While over in the West of the Country 8 fires are raging out of control, and hundreds of homes in their paths.
One state is under flooding control damage, and another state under fire control damage.

A weird but beautiful Country we live in, but mother nature hits it with a vengence sometimes.

Glad your daughter is safe, but sorry to hear about the unfolding disaster. We are following the sad events from here in the UK.

We were in Brisbane a couple of years ago.