Missing man’s body found at Tiaro, Maryborough CBD exclusion zone lifting

Police have confirmed a man has died and his wife and daughter found clinging to trees at Tiaro. It comes as an exclusion zone in Maryborough’s CBD could soon be lifted as attention turns to the state of a bridge which has left thousands isolated since the weekend. LATEST UPDATE

The body of a man in his 50s who went missing in floodwaters near Tiaro has been found.

Queensland Police Service confirmed the tragic news on Tuesday.

Superintendent Michael Sweeney told reporters in Maryborough the man was with his family, a 43-year-old woman and an eight-year-old girl, on a boat on the Mary River at 6pm on Monday night, when it overturned.

“Unfortunately, they were in the water at a time they were … not to be in there, it’s for emergency vehicles only,” he said.

He could not confirm why the family were on the floodwaters.

The woman and the young girl were found “clinging to foliage” on Tuesday morning, and were taken to hospital.

Superintendent Sweeney said the woman and the young girl suffered hyperthermia.

Sadly, the body of the man was found 200 to 300 metres down the river on Tuesday morning.

It comes as safety checks in Maryborough’s CBD and at the Granville Bridge continue with the Mary River level dropping below 5m.

With the exception of Lower Kent Street, pictured below, all CBD roads are now clear of flood waters following the mammoth operation which saw more than 1000L per second pumped out of the city heart.

The council is now working with police to determine whether it is safe to lift the exclusion zone around the CBD.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is currently in Maryborough and spoke earlier at City Hall about the missing man, who was swept away while searching for cattle.

She also confirmed Maryborough-born ex-Qld governor Paul de Jersey had been called in to lead flood clean-up.

The Fraser Coast Chronicle understands the restoration of electricity needed to power traffic lights is the key challenge.

At Granville, the bridge that connects the suburb to Maryborough, which was inundated on Saturday, isolating thousands of residents, remains closed.

While waters have receded under the bridge, a trial of destruction has been exposed and it is expected to take some time for the area to be declared safe.

SES boats have been moving essential supplies across the river to stranded residents and a makeshift ambulance station remains at the Hockey Oval.

An early morning check at Saltwater Ck bridge allowed the main access road between Maryborough and Hervey Bay to reopen, causing widespread relief for Fraser Coast commuters.

POLICE SPEAK ABOUT RESCUES AS DRAMATIC FOOTAGE REVEALED

Police have revealed about 80 rescues were carried out over the weekend while about 40 businesses were significantly damaged in the Maryborough CBD after staggering flooding across the Wide Bay region.

Queensland Police Service Wide Bay Burnett Superintendent Michael Sawrey said police will work with a disaster management team to get the community back to where it needs to be in the coming days.

He said rapid assessments throughout Maryborough will be conducted over the next several days, as water still sits within the town.

Some communities remain isolated, however emergency crews and volunteers from the SES were working to provide supplies to those regions.

"A lot of those communities have just been isolated … but not damaged," Supt Sawry said.

Dramatic footage has shown two teens being rescued from floodwaters by Queensland Police. SEE VIDEO ABOVE

The video showed the two teenagers getting dragged to safety from the rushing water that has inundated the city and surrounding areas.

Tragically, the 14-year-old girl swept away in flood waters is yet to be found.

"We do have searchers out there and a search being co-ordinated," Supt Sawry said.

"We have water police and police divers, we have volunteers out there, and police and SES co-ordinating searches for her.

"We're putting in whatever effort we can to try locate that young girl. It's an extremely challenging area to get in and out of but we did get searchers in there yesterday. It is an extremely difficult area surrounded by water."

Supt Sawry said aerial support has been provided to assist in the search. There have been no other reports of missing persons.

Police are doing frequent patrols of businesses and homes in the area to deter any potential looters, Supt Sawry said. There have not been any reports of looting as of yet.

SITUATION STILL SERIOUS, SAYS MAYOR

Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said it was "fortunate" floods didn't hit the anticipated peak of 10.5m, however stayed just under 10m.

"We were very fortunate in that regard," he said.

"We are in a serious situation still … but certainly the flood didn't peak as anticipated.”

He paid tribute to all crews who worked tirelessly over the weekend to assist businesses and rescue locals.

Cr Seymour said his worries have now turned to isolated regions, including Granville.

He revealed about 40 businesses in Maryborough had been flooded "with water through to the floorboards".

"As the flood waters recede, we'll be in there cleaning up," Cr Seymour said.

"Business owners are back in cleaning and getting electricians in to get the process going.

"It will be a number of days before we see the end of the water. I'm really hopeful within the next week or so we'll have businesses running."

He said many people within the Maryborough community have chipped in to help, and others could sign up to volunteer through the Volunteering Queensland website.

"We have people helping family and friends and strangers, it's a really resilient community," Cr Seymour said.

He said repair work will take place on the faulty penstock gate that allowed water to enter back into the stormwater system.

"We will get to the bottom of that and make sure it doesn't happen again."

WORK OF RESCUE CREWS AND SES PRAISED

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Assistant Commissioner Gary McCormack acknowledged the work of his crews.

"We've had multiple teams out on the ground for a very long protracted period of time," he said. "I just want to acknowledge all of the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services personnel for the incredible effort that's been occurring since Friday evening right through …"

He said SES have been tasked to about 200 jobs, while there have been around 80 water rescues in total.

"Our message clearly to the community is – don't play in flood waters and don't drive in flood waters," Assistant Commissioner McCormack said.

"The water may appear to be still on top but can be moving rapidly underneath." He said some rescues were difficult due to access issues. "600ml (of rain) in a one day period is just an incredible amount of water … It's just a very dangerous and difficult situation."

The focus for emergency crews going forward will depend on how much water recedes in the coming hours and days. Damage assessments of homes, business and roadways will be commenced shortly, while any potential immediate response work and rescue operations will remain the priority. QFES and SES will also assist in delivering supplies to cut off regions, isolated by flood water.

HOW PLAN B USING PUMPS SAVED CBD

An audacious plan from the Fraser Coast Regional Council to save Maryborough’s CBD from floodwaters has gone into the night and appears to have been a major success.

Twelve large diesel pumps manned by council crews were battling the flood to try to prevent the inundation of CBD businesses.

The levee that helped protect the city is now being dismantled.

Yesterday, State Disaster Coordinator and police commissioner Steve Gollschewski said there had been 51 water-related incidents, nine people rescued from floodwaters and 11 people transported by air in the Gympie and Maryborough regions.

Maryborough’s CBD is still underwater with residents posting updates on social media saying the power is still out, but shops on the levee side are beginning to dry out and the pumps seem to be working.

Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said the all-night operation had worked in minimising the damage while the flood peak was not quite as high as it was predicted to be.

He told of how he had personally seen the water rushing up out of the stormwater system yesterday inside the levee which was designed to protect the CBD.

“All of a sudden the water came out of the ground,’’ Mr Seymour said.

“I was devastated to see the water coming up underneath the levee.’’

But after the council scrambled to put in plan B, he was grateful it had worked.

“I am really, really happy. Not not happy but relieved the worst case scenario did not happen.’’

After a couple of hours of sleep the mayor was back in the CBD to see how it was going.

The pumping operation is continuing.

“The pumps are now working to get water out of flooded basements.

“These 12 pumps operated right throughout yesterday and though the night.”

The council reported on Monday morning that “Kent Street between Adelaide Street and Bazaar Street is dry thanks to pumps used yesterday afternoon and overnight.”

“As the flood waters slowly recede, council will co-ordinate the clean-up and recovery with the assistance of Queensland Government agencies.

People were still being urged to stay out of the CBD and to keep off flooded roads.

“For your own safety, please stay out of flood waters and away from flooded bridges.”

DISASTER PAYMENTS FOR LOCALS

Meanwhile, flood-impacted residents of Bundaberg, Gympie and the Fraser Coast will be able to apply for government disaster payments from Tuesday, the Prime Minister has confirmed.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, speaking in Canberra, extended his thoughts to the family of a 14-year-old girl who remains missing after being washed away in floodwaters.

“I want to thank all of those who are engaged in the rescue and search work up there in Queensland at the moment, it was quite a deluge as we know,” he said.

He said disaster arrangements had been activated through the Emergency Management Authority.

National Recovery and Resilience Agency head Shane Stone QC, who was already in Queensland, has been deployed to the impacted flood area. Those impacted will be able to apply for disaster payments worth up to $1000 for adults and $400 for children, with applications to open at 9am on Tuesday.

PUMPS WORK INTO NIGHT AS RIVER PEAKS JUST UNDER 10M

Last night, the council reported the pumps were each moving about 120 litres a second.

In an update on Monday morning, the weather bureau reported that major flooding was continuing at Maryborough, where a peak just under 10 metres was recorded on Sunday evening.

Moderate to major flooding is continuing across the Mary River catchment from Gympie downstream, but river levels are now generally easing.

The Mary River at Dagun Pocket was at 8.76 metres and falling with minor flooding. At Dagun Pocket, the river is expected to fall below the minor flood level (7.00m) Monday afternoon.

At Gympie, the river peaked around 13.6 metres early Sunday afternoon and was at 12.11 metres and falling with moderate flooding.

It is expected to fall below the moderate flood level (12.00m) Monday morning.

Major flooding is still occurring downstream of Gympie.

The Mary River at Miva was at 14.76 metres and falling with moderate flooding.

It is likely to fall below the moderate (9.50m) and minor (7.5m) flood levels overnight Tuesday into Wednesday.

The Mary River at Tiaro peaked around 20.6 metres during Sunday morning and was around 18.10 metres and falling with major flooding. The Mary River at Tiaro is likely to fall below the major flood level (12.00m) overnight Monday into Tuesday.

The Mary River at Maryborough peaked at 9.96m around 6pm Sunday evening.

A manual observation of 9.65 metres for the river level station at Maryborough was recorded at 4:30am Monday (above the major flood level 9.0m).

Water outside the temporary levee wall in Maryborough.

The nearby station at Portside was 9.61 metres (major flood level 9.0m) and falling.

The bureau said on Monday that the Mary River at Maryborough was likely to fall below the major flood level (9.00m) Monday afternoon and fall below the moderate flood level (8.00m) overnight Monday into Tuesday.

Earlier, Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said the council had not given up on limiting damage to the CBD and were fighting back after the levee erected on Saturday was breached.

“I think we are really going to limit the damage,” he said.

“We have brought in generators and pumps and are keeping it out as quick as it’s moving in.”

The CBD looking remarkably flood-free after the incredible efforts of council staff, volunteers, and local businesses.

On Facebook, council chief executive Ken Diehm was full of praise for the council staff who were fighting the floods, including the mayor who he said had practically “lived on site” for the past two days.

He said he believed the flood had peaked at 9.95m.

Earlier on Sunday, the mayor urged people to stay away from the area as emergency services worked to evacuated those remaining at the scene.

People in Granville were being asked to store enough water for two or three days as a potential issue with the water supply was a possibility.

Floodwaters were expected to quickly fill the CBD after the barricade was breached.

Speaking to the media on Sunday afternoon, Wide Bay Burnett District Superintendent Michael Sawrey said a stormwater valve had failed, which had led to the flooding of the CBD.

He said currently about 20 businesses in the CBD were impacted by floodwaters, but that could rise to 50 to 70 businesses.

Currently the number of homes inundated in Maryborough was unknown.

Supt Sawrey said people had co-operated with police when the evacuation was carried out when it became clear the levee would not keep the floodwater out of the CBD.

Floodwaters are expected to peak about 10pm Sunday night, reaching 10.50m.

He said people should not risk going out to look at floodwaters.

Supt Sawrey said communities at Granville and Tinana were isolated, with assistance being provided.

He said there were plenty of police out patrolling to keep people safe.

“If it’s flooded, forget it,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Bruce Highway at Tiaro has reopened to traffic after lengthy delays due to flooding.

Cr Seymour also addressed the media, saying the failure of the barricade system had been a “major setback” and the council had brought in pumps to try to lessen the impact of the floodwaters on the CBD.

He said when the council saw what had happened, it was devastating for himself and staff who had worked so hard to put the barricade in place.

“It’s devastating because we know what this means for the businesses behind the barricade,” he said.

“We were anticipating being able to save much of the CBD through the barricade which was erected so quickly yesterday.”

He urged people to stay home and stay safe.

Fraser Coast mayor George Seymour looks a worried man as the CBD is evacuated. Photo: Robyne Cuerel.

An urgent alert issued by the Fraser Coast Regional Council Dashboard’s Emergency News service about 1.05pm today stated all premises within the Maryborough CBD had to be immediately evacuated.

“The gates underneath the recently installed levee have been damaged and, as a result, the CBD will now bear the full impact of the flood,” the written alert said.

“Police are providing assistance with the emergency evacuation and we urge people to stay out of the CBD.”

Queensland Police Service officers made an emergency declaration and established an exclusion zone in the area just before 2pm.

The zone includes parts of Adelaide, Kent, Lennox, Alice and Richmond streets.

Businesses and residents within the exclusion zone have been door knocked and advised to leave for higher ground as soon as possible.

Emergency services said the Mary River around greater Maryborough is expected to exceed the major flood level and peak near 10.5 metres Sunday evening.

That is similar to the flood peak experienced following Tropical Cyclone Oswald in 2013.

“Properties in the area may experience flooding based on the predicted height. Residents are advised to move to higher ground, secure their belongings and warn others,’’ a Queensland Fire and Emergency Services statement said.

Flooding in Maryborough with Woolworths supermarket in the foreground. Picture: John Wilson

The Maryborough Sailing Club has been inundated. Picture: John Wilson

The $6.03 million levee system, which includes a temporary steel wall around the city and a portable pump station, was funded by the State Government and the Fraser Coast Regional Council after a series of floods devastated the city between 2011 and 2013.

Drainage work was also undertaken and parts of Adelaide St were raised in an effort to mitigate flood risk.

Large parts of Maryborough and Tiaro were submerged by floodwaters on Sunday morning as the Mary River continued to rise.

A man was rescued from the river after his boat was damaged and washed down the river into mangroves near Maryborough Marina.

A rescue in the Mary River on Sunday. Picture: Supplied

The man is now safe, according to a post from Queensland police.

Willie and Di Paes have spent the past two days helping out at the Brogla Theatre, which has become a makeshift evacuation centre as people were forced to leave their homes.

About 80 homes are expected to be impacted by flooding in the Mary River.

Mrs Paes said about 16 people were sheltering there.

Willie Paes cooking up a storm for those sheltering at the Brolga Theatre. Picture: Supplied

The couple, members of Sunrise Rotary, were at the theatre cooking breakfast for those left homeless by the rising waters.

Mrs Paes said people were understandably upset by the situation, but they were safe.

The marina is under water for the first time since 2013, just months after it went on the market for $2.2 million.

The Criterion Hotel was clear of the floodwaters on Sunday morning. Picture: Supplied

A post on the Facebook page of the marina restaurant The Deck and Anchor joked “no coffee available this morning”.

The city’s Woolworths store, which had to be rebuilt after it was flooded in January 2013, is surrounded by floodwaters, with its car park and part of the escalators submerged.

The main part of the store remains out of the floodwaters.

Maryborough's Woolworths surrounded by floodwaters. Picture: Supplied

The Lamington Bridge at Tinana is under water, while Granville Bridge has also been closed to traffic, leaving thousands of people isolated.

Homes and cars have been submerged by the floodwaters.

A crowd looks out at the flooded Lamington Bridge in Maryborough. Picture: Jade Wellings

The Maryborough-Hervey Rd has been cut at the Saltwater Creek bridge, Cobbles Gully and St Helens.

Meanwhile, the Criterion Hotel on Wharf Street shared a post showing it had so far avoided being inundated.

Despite the emergency, those behind the hotel’s Facebook page showed they hadn’t lost their sense of humour, sharing a Facebook story on Saturday night that said the hotel would be “close tonight due to the apocalypse”.

A Facebook page has also been started to try to reunite people with their lost livestock, with 161 people already members of the group.

People across the region have put up their drones, capturing shocking footage and images of the inundation of Maryborough.

Cars and homes submerged at the Lamington Bridge going into Tinana, Maryborough. Picture: Jade Wellings

The Bruce Highway at Tiaro is closed due to floodwaters at Chinaman’s Creek, while Petrie Park is under water.

Motorists are stranded waiting for the road to reopen, with the uncertainty adding to the already stressful situation.

Only the roof of Maryborough Marina was visible on Sunday. Picture: Supplied

The Smith family were one such family, struggling to get through after travelling on the highway from Yeppoon.

The Smith family is stranded at Tiaro. Picture: Supplied

The family has had to divert through dirt tracks to get through to Tiaro after spending the night in Bundaberg, only to be met with more flooding.

From the City Hall steps on the corner of Kent and Lennox Street, Maryborough. Picture: Jade Wellings

It will be hours before the water goes down at Tiaro, meaning the family will likely have to stay the night.

Meanwhile, Fraser Coast photographer Robyne Cuerel captured a quirky image of a water bottle with tiny flood survivors clinging to it.

Snails, spiders and other creepy-crawlies were just as desperate to escape the floodwaters as their human counterparts.