North Burnett family, four dogs winched from flood zone
A family, including a child and four pet dogs, have been winched to a chopper by basket after they were trapped on their flooded property near Bundaberg.
Bundaberg
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A family and their four dogs, stranded in the Wide Bay flood zone, have been rescued.
The North Burnett couple, their young daughter and four pets were all choppered out by the Bundaberg-based RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter crew.
The NewsMail understands recent floods had taken out local roads, leaving them isolated on their property.
The rescue chopper was called in around 3.30pm Tuesday afternoon to move the family to a nearby town, as they were reportedly beginning to run out of food and fuel for their generator.
When the helicopter arrived at the property, the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) Flight Paramedic was lowered down to prepare them for the rescue effort.
A woman was initially winched up to the helicopter, accompanied by the paramedic.
A man was then winched in a rescue basket, alongside his young daughter.
The paramedic was hoisted up again, with the four small dogs carefully stowed in a carrier, inside a winch-rated equipment bag.
The group was flown to a nearby helipad and all are understood to be safe and well.
More to come.
RIVER LEVELS, FLOOD GRANTS
The Burnett River and Barambah Creek appear to be going back to normal with a final flood warning issued for the region on Tuesday.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, waterways in the region are dropping below the minor flood level and falling.
The Commonwealth has, from today, activated its disaster relief payment system.
Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt gave a media conference in Bundaberg today where he explained what was on offer to those affected.
“The direct payment is actually $1000 per adult and $400 for children under 16 and of course allowances for those individuals who have lost wages or income as a result of the flood – and I‘d certainly say to everyone don’t self-assess, go to social services and let them assess.”
Loans of up to $250,000 low interest for small businesses and primary producers.
Burnett MP Stephen Bennett said this funding would go a long way for producers who have been hit hard by the recent flash flooding.
“Some of our local farmers have a very long road ahead after the floods washed away almost entire operations,” he said.
“Yesterday I had producers telling me that without help, they might be forced to close the gate and walk away.
“The government has listened to our pleas for help, and I’m thrilled to see assistance become available overnight.”
For more information on loans for primary producers and small businesses phone Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority on 1800 623 946 or visit www.qrida.qld.gov.au.
For information on the freight subsidies visit www.daf.qld.gov.au or phone the DAF Customer Service Centre on 13 25 23.
For more information on the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payments go here.
The wild conditions at the weekend trapped many on either side of the highway, including Sunshine Coast councillor Jason OPray and partner Tash Poole.
For Cr OPrey, getting stuck in Bundaberg because of rising floodwaters at the weekend was a chance to explore the region.
It was even a chance to stop by his mother-in-law Margie Poole’s place to grab some of her famous chocolate slice.
“The people of Bundaberg should be proud of their council,” Cr OPrey said, pointing out the pristine beaches, clean and tidy parks and general attractiveness of the region.
“I don’t even know any of them.
“We walked the beaches of Mon Repos, we went to Bargara beach and spent some money,” he said.
Cr OPrey commented on the “big wide roads” in Bundaberg that he said the Sunshine Coast just didn’t have, saying he was just a little bit jealous.
Cr Oprey and his partner both have family in the region and while he’s the chairman of the Maroochydore Nippers, Tash has a history of lifesaving too, so checking out the Bundaberg Surf Life Saving Club brought plenty of familiarity.
The pair had been returning from a five-night holiday in the Whitsundays when a deluge of rain hit the Wide Bay, closing roads and causing devastation from washed away homes in Dallarnil to CBD flooding in Maryborough and destroyed roads in Gympie.
Cr OPrey shared the dramatic video of the event to social media.
Heavy rainfall was recorded over parts of the lower Burnett River and Barambah Creek catchments over the weekend.
No significant rainfall has been recorded across the catchment in the 24 hours to 9am Monday.
Isolated showers are forecast for the catchment area for Monday but no significant rainfall totals are expected.
Barker and Barambah Creeks:
Minor flooding is continuing along parts of Barambah Creek and its tributaries downstream from Bjelke-Petersen Dam.
The Barambah Creek at Stonelands peaked at 10.30 metres (moderate flooding) around midnight Sunday into Monday and is currently at 9.18 metres (minor flooding) and falling. The Barambah Creek at Stonelands is likely to fall below the minor flood level (8.50m) Monday afternoon.
There are currently no river level observations on Barambah Creek at Brian Pastures but based on upstream river levels, the river level at Brian Pastures is expected to be around the minor flood level and rising. A minor peak is likely in the Barambah Creek at Brian Pastures Monday afternoon.
Burnett River downstream of Mundubbera to Paradise Dam:
Renewed river level rises are expected along the Burnett River downstream of Gayndah to Paradise Dam as upstream floodwaters arrive, but are likely to remain below minor flood levels.
Burnett River downstream of Paradise Dam:
Minor to moderate flooding is occurring along parts of the Burnett River downstream of Paradise Dam. Renewed rises are expected during the week as upstream floodwaters arrive.
The Burnett River at Walla is currently at 7.18 metres (above the minor flood level of 6.00 metres) and falling. The Burnett River at Walla may fall below the minor flood level Monday evening, though small renewed river level rises are possible over the next day or so as floodwaters arrive from upstream.
The Burnett River at Bundaberg is currently at 2.47 metres and falling. The Burnett River at Bundaberg is expected to continue easing, and remain below the minor flood level (3.50m) during Monday.
Moderate flood warnings remained for the Burnett River on Sunday night.
Minor to moderate flooding continues along parts of Barambah Creek and its tributaries downstream from Bjelke-Petersen Dam.
Major flood levels are easing on Boonara Creek at Ettiewyn.
The Barambah Creek at Stonelands was above the minor flood level at 9.59 metres and rising on Sunday, where it was expected to reach the moderate flood level.
Minor to moderate flood levels were easing along the Burnett River downstream of Gayndah to Paradise Dam on Sunday evening.
Renewed rises are expected early in the week as upstream floodwaters arrive.
Minor to moderate flooding was occurring along parts of the Burnett River downstream of Paradise Dam on Sunday night.
Renewed rises are expected during the week as upstream floodwaters arrive.
The Burnett River at Walla peaked at 9.24 metres and fell slowly with moderate flooding on Sunday night.
The Burnett River at Walla is expected to remain above the moderate flood level throughout Monday.
The Burnett River was at 3.07 metres and steady on Sunday evening.
River levels are expected to remain below the minor flood level.
A moderate flood warning for the Burnett River was issued on Sunday morning as a rising Burnett River recorded a height of 2.37m on Sunday.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, moderate flood levels are peaking on the lower Burnett River, while levels remain high at Barambah Creek.
However, at the Gregory River which has swallowed a car on Sunday morning, flooding is said to be easing.
Heavy rainfalls of 100-300mm were recorded over parts of the Burnett River catchment in the 24 hours to 9am Saturday, with isolated heavy rainfalls of 390-460mm.
Isolated showers are also likely on Sunday.
Barker and Barambah Creeks:
Elevated river levels continue along parts of Barambah Creek and its tributaries downstream from Bjelke-Petersen Dam.
The Barambah Creek at Stonelands is currently at 4.74 metres and rising. River level rises will continue during Sunday but at this stage the river level is expected to remain below the minor flood level (8.50m).
There are currently no river level observations on Barambah Creek at Brian Pastures but based on upstream river levels, the river level at Brian Pastures is expected to have peaked at the major flood level during Saturday afternoon.
River levels at Brian Pastures are now expected to be easing but will likely to remain above the minor flood level (6.00m) during Sunday.
Burnett River downstream of Mundubbera to Paradise Dam:
Minor to moderate flooding is generally easing along the Burnett River downstream of Gayndah to Paradise Dam.
Burnett River downstream of Paradise Dam:
Minor to moderate flooding is occurring along parts of the Burnett River downstream of Paradise Dam.
The Burnett River at Walla is currently at a peak around 10.5 metres with moderate flooding. The Burnett River at Walla is expected to remain above the moderate flood level during Sunday.
The Burnett River at Bundaberg is currently at 2.37 metres and rising. Further rises will occur during Sunday but river levels are expected to remain below the minor flood level.
Burrum and Cherwell Rivers:
Flood levels peaked and are easing along the Burrum and Cherwell Rivers. Lenthalls Dam on the Burrum River continues spilling.
The Burrum River at Howard peaked at a minor flood level of 6.71 metres overnight Saturday, and is currently at 6.31 metres and falling. The Burrum River at Howard is expected to fall below the minor flood level (6.00m) Sunday afternoon.
The Cherwell River at Pacific Haven peaked at 2.93 metres during Saturday evening, and fell below minor early Sunday morning.
The river level is currently at 1.28 metres and falling. The Cherwell River at Pacific Haven will remain below the minor flood level (2.50 metres) during Sunday.
Isis, Gregory and Elliott Rivers:
Major to moderate flooding peaked across the catchments during late Saturday into Sunday, and are easing.
Dramatic rescue as car and driver in strife
The day turned dramatic for one driver at Pearson Creek near Deepwater when their car became stuck in floodwaters.
Local Judy Ferrari said she found the car floating and managed to help get the vehicle and driver out.
The driver, she said, had to escape from a window.
“Lots of damage done to vehicle, I'm speechless,” she said.
“If it's flooded, forget it. I don’t understand why people just can’t stay out of floodwater.”
Worried locals also took to social media to share distressing scenes from Gregory River on the Isis Highway on Sunday morning.
The photos come following record rain in the Bundaberg region.
Vicki Darby shared one image showing a car stuck on the Gregory River Bridge, half submerged in floodwater.
“Don’t do it,” she warned anyone thinking of driving through floodwaters.
“The drop to the bottom is substantial.”
A spokeswoman for the Queensland Police Service said due to the sheer number of cars submerged in water in the current disaster situation it wasn’t possible to comment on whether anyone was in the vehicle, but said so far the only known missing person was a 14-year-old girl in the Gympie region.
Sunshine Coast Division 8 councillor Jason OPray shared this video as he was trying to get home from Bundaberg on Sunday morning.
“Trying to leave Bundaberg to get home,” he wrote.
“Gregory Creek Bridge, car and caravan buggered”.
Meanwhile, in Dallarnil, where a man was reportedly forced to cling to his tree to survive as his home and two dogs were swept away on Friday night, heartbreaking images have emerged.
The Dallarnil tragedy was posted on the Childers Community Connect Group where locals were rallying around the man.
Louisa Anne Bobbermien posted images online showing the terrible aftermath of the weather in the small town.
The events unfolded following the Wide Bay recording record rain.
Motorists going to and from Childers had been left stranded in their vehicles as flooding wreaked havoc on nearby Apple Tree Creek and Booyal.
The pub at Apple Tree Creek and the roadhouse in Booyal were inundated with flood water.
Loeskows Rd and the Bruce Highway at Booyal was been closed due to flooding on Saturday, while Goodwood Road at Kinkuna and Rosedale Road at Avondale was closed.
The deluge left motorists in the Bundaberg CBD having to find alternate routes as rain filled Saltwater Creek, causing water to spill out onto Targo Street on Saturday.
Parts of Bundaberg South have also been flooded water as Saltwater Creek continues to rise due to the excessive rainfall.
Motorists are being reminded to drive to conditions and remember that if it’s flooded, forget it.
Flames spread across five hectares near Tiaro
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