Thousands expected to be isolated at Granville as Mary River rises

Cars are submerged, a major supermarket is under water and a makeshift ambulance station has been set up on a sports field as the Mary River surges in Maryborough, leaving thousands stranded in the historic town. SEE THE VIDEO

Woolworths is largely under water, a makeshift ambulance station has been set up on a sporting field and thousands are isolated as the Mary River continues to rise at Maryborough.

Flooding, which cut major bridges at Tinana and Granville on Saturday, continued to inundate low-lying areas in the early hours of Sunday.

Dramatic pictures and video show Maryborough underwater with cars submerged.

Flooding in Maryborough on Sunday morning, a car is submerged under the flood water. Picture: Robyne Cuerel

According to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), a manual observation of 8.8m for the river level station at Maryborough was recorded at 4.50am Sunday (above the minor flood level 5.0m).

The Woolworths carpark is flooded in Maryborough. Picture: Robyne Cuerel.

The nearby station at Portside however was already at 9.01m (major flood level 9.0m) and rising as of 6am.
The BOM predicts the Mary River at Maryborough is likely to peak near 10.50m Sunday evening.

Major flooding starts in Maryborough as the Mary River rises. Woolworths is under water. Photo: Robyne Cuerel

This will be below the peak in January 2013 of 10.7 metres which inundated the CBD where a levee is now in place.

At Tiaro, the Mary River was at 20.60 metres and rising, with major flooding.

Major flooding is occurring in the Bruce Highway town of Tiaro. Picture: Bronwyn Phillips

The Mary River at Tiaro is expected to remain above the major flood level (12m) on Sunday.

Flooding and strong rises are being observed in the Tinana Creek catchment, with moderate flooding at Tagigan Rd.

The Mary River at Miva peaked at 19.86 metres around 8pm Saturday, and is currently at 19.11 metres and falling, with major flooding.

The Mary River at Miva is expected to remain above the major flood level (15.50m) on Sunday morning and into Sunday afternoon.

Mary River in flood at Petrie Park, Tiaro. Picture: Bronwyn Phillips.

The suburb of Granville remains isolated and is expected to be cut off for several days.

According to the Fraser Coast council, paramedics and Queensland Health staff have been deployed to a temporary set up on the hockey oval at Granville to deal with emergencies as they arise.

Alice St cut off Ululah. Picture: Robyne Cuerel.

In Maryborough, the intersection of Sussex and Lennox Street is closed and the Woolworths on Sussex Street is flooding and expected to remain closed until Thursday.

Queens Park. Maryborough flooded on Sunday morning. Picture: Robyne Cuerel

The Lamington Bridge has already gone under, cutting off Tinana.

The Lamington Bridge at Maryborough underwater on Saturday afternoon. Picture: Supplied

Adelaide Street and Kent Street have also been closed and the flood levee is in place in the hopes of protecting the CBD.

WATCH: Historic moment as flood levee used for first time

The levee being constructed in Maryborough's CBD. Picture: Supplied

On Saturday, an evacuation respite centre was set up at the Brolga Theatre.

Residents were advised to prepare to move to higher ground, secure their belongings and warn others.

One person has been killed in floodwaters between Maryborough and Gympie.

The boat ramp at the Lamington Bridge at Tinana. Picture: Supplied

Panic buying is understood to be a concern across the region, with many shelves already bare in Maryborough.

Trains are being moved from Maryborough’s Downer factory in preparation for the expected floods, while Maryborough Wharf is also expected to go under water when the flood reaches its peak.

Queens Park under water on Saturday. Picture: Supplied

Maryborough Wharf and marina has also been evacuated and is largely under water.

The main street of Brooweena has been inundated with water, while major flood damage has been reported on the Bruce Highway at Curra.

A gully at Teddington Road flooded. Picture: Supplied

Dozens of stranded travellers sheltered at Gunalda’s United petrol station after hundreds of millimetres of rain fell.

Rural areas copped the brunt of the deluge while 83.6mm of rain in Maryborough and 23.6mm fell in Hervey Bay in 24 hours.

In Gympie, 149mm was recorded, while in Bundaberg recorded 123mm.

A major flood warning is in place for Maryborough. Picture: Supplied

The highest total was recorded south west of Tiaro and north west of Gympie at Marodian where 673mm of rain was recorded.