Dalby floods to recede, as council warns residents about entering dangerous waters

The worst of the flood threat has begun to ease across the region, but authorities have issued another stern warning to residents, and the community faces the challenge of another flood clean-up. Full details:

The flood threat to the Dalby region has begun to recede, as Myall Creek peaks and has begun to fall, with focus now turning to assessing the damage left behind in the aftermath.

Myall Creek reached a level of 2.75m, which was below the moderate flood level predicted by authorities Monday morning.

The creek which was anticipated to rise until around 3pm, is now expected to start falling.

The council is continuing to monitor the flood situation and urges residents to steer clear of flooded sites and adhere to road signage.

EARLIER

Goondir Health Services in Jimbour Street, which has road closures on either end, saw staff leave work early as the flood threat lingered.

Team members rushed back to their homes to ensure they could reach their properties on the other side of Myall Creek, fearing they would be impacted by the floods.

Ethel Hayden who remained at work said that she’d been advised the creek would reach its peak at 3pm today.

A fellow staff member earlier this morning said despite water levels getting close to the front of the Gary White Building in the past, she’d never seen it reach inside.

The remainder of staff who are able to continue working at the Goondir Health Services site are doing so until instructed otherwise.

An emergency alert was issued for Dalby at 7.20am, warning the creek was expected to reach above moderate flooding levels this afternoon.

The alert warned residents river level rises are expected to continue throughout Monday and residents should be alert and prepared.

“Residents in low-lying areas should warn neighbours, secure property and belongings and prepare to move to higher ground,” the warning said.

Western Downs Regional Council said it was expected the creek would reach a flood level of 3m, which would mean some inundation of properties in low-lying areas.

The SES is door knocking in the areas expected to be impacted.

Images show the extent of flooding across Dalby

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Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Helen Kirkup said the region had received very little rainfall overnight, with the flows coming from former upstream.

“(Myall Creek) rose steadily overnight and has eased up a bit. Rain from surrounding areas draining into the creek which has caused it to rise (further),” she said.

While the rain has eased for the region, its likely to return later in the week, bringing the threat of further flooding.

“Thursday could bring more rain, potentially 10 or 20mm, which will put more into a really saturated catchment,” she said.

“It’s just going to depend where it goes, but there’s the potential we could see more river rises.”

Several roads across the regional are already cut, or accessible only be 4WD.

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The council also warned false information was being shared in relation to Charles Drew Bridge at Dalby, with the council clarifying the bridge is not closing and there was no intention to close the bridge.

The council also called for residents to stay well away from affected areas.

“Now is not the time for sightseeing,” a spokesman said.