Rain threatens to re-flood Ipswich homes during clean-up
A heartbreaking knock on the door for some Ipswich residents has come with the grim warning that more floods could be on their way.
Ipswich
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As Ipswich banded together and started the slow and heartbreaking clean-up of their homes and businesses, more wet weather threatens to flood homes again.
The Bureau of Meteorology said every day for the next week rain may fall across Ipswich and there was more chance of severe storms and heavy rain near the Rosewood area.
There’s currently a minor to moderate flood warning for the Brisbane River, Bremer Rivers, and Warrill Creek.
“Catchments are saturated and small renewed rises remain possible,” BOM said.
“Renewed river and creek rises occurred across the tributaries of the lower Brisbane River earlier… (and) further showers and thunderstorms are possible across the catchment during Friday.
“But rainfall totals are not expected to be as significant those recorded on Thursday. However, catchments are saturated and small renewed rises remain possible.”
About 30mm may fall across parts of the region at the weekend with storms forecast on Sunday afternoon which may bring flash flooding and hail.
Although areas west of Ipswich may see falls around 50mm which may affect the Marburg Detention Basin, Rosewood Detention Basin and Black Snake Creek.
On Thursday, the State Emergency Service doorknocked several homes at Bundamba and Goodna to warn residents the area may flood again.
With waterlogged grounds, creeks, and rivers, rain on Thursday was quick to flood roadways across the district and as of Friday morning more roads were cut-off.
The following roads are currently experiencing flooding: Kholo Rd; Bertha St at Brisbane Rd Goodna; Brisbane Tce at Monash Rd Redbank; Jones Rd at Katandra Bellbird Park; Alice St at Newman St Goodna; and Nelson St Bundamba, East St at Ipswich.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding warned residents there might be isolated patches of heavy rainfall although no major river rises were expected on Friday.
“The Bremer River height at the David Trumpy Bridge was 8.17m at 6.14am and may go up to 9m as the river peaks,” Ms Harding said.
“We are expected the river height at Moggill to remain pretty steady depending on dam releases, it was 7.7m at 6.38am.
“Power is being restored to homes, yesterday there were over 5,000 homes without power in Ipswich and it is now at 2,107.
“Energex are aiming to have all power connected in SEQ by Monday but that will depend on the weather.”
Mayor Harding thanked the ADF for joining clean-up efforts and urged those who could to volunteer their time and donate to help those in need.
“We are grateful for Ipswich’s incredible generosity and desire to help support residents impacted by the floods,” she said.
“Council has partnered with GIVIT to manage offers of goods or funds and match them to immediate needs in the community – 100 per cent of funds received will be used to purchase essential items and services.”
SCHOOLS FLOODED OUT
Ipswich schools asked parents to collect their children on Thursday as Ipswich faces the threat of further flooding.
Bellbird Park State Secondary College asked parents earlier this morning to collect children.
They were followed by Ipswich Grammar School, Bremer State High School, Woodlinks State School, and Ipswich North State School who have now also asked parents to collect their children on Thursday “as soon as possible”.
The call-out comes as the Ipswich community continues its clean-up work following unprecedented weather and deadly flooding, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned more heavy rain is on its way.
Weather experts stated moderate flood levels were likely at Ipswich about midday Thursday, with higher levels and major flooding possible overnight.
“The Bremer River at Ipswich is currently at 7.92 metres and rising, with minor flooding,” the BOM stated.
“The Bremer River at Ipswich is likely to exceed the moderate flood level (9m) around midday Thursday. The river level is likely to exceed the major flood level (11.7m) late Thursday evening, with further rises and higher levels possible.”
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday morning, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said that while major rises could occur in the Bremer River her “immediate concern is that northern region”.
She asked all residents to subscribe to the Bureau of Meteorology app and tune in to emergency broadcasts.
“Today is the day to be listening,” she said
“Everyone, please listen to the alerts.
“This is a serious situation and these are unprecedented times.”
Schools across the region were advising students only to attend if it is safe for them to travel, with many buses unable to operate and trains suspended.
However Bellbird Park State Secondary College issued their statement this morning (Thursday March 3) asking parents to come and collect their children due to potentially dangerous thunderstorms.
“We are very concerned that the roads in and around BPSSC are once again becoming dangerous with localised flooding,” the school stated on Facebook.
“We are therefore suggesting that where possible you come to school to now collect your child. We will do our very best to have students called to our office for you to collect.”
Other schools remain open but with limited capacity due to staff shortages.
“We opened with limited capacity with some 16 staff members unable to attend due to the recent weather and flooding,” Ipswich Central State School wrote in a Facebook post.
“We will continue to be open for the remainder of the week, however this will also be at limited capacity and we ask again that those students who can remain at home do so.”
Ipswich Grammar School, Bremer State High School, Woodlinks State School, and Ipswich North State School also asked parents to collect their children as soon as they could.
The following Ipswich schools were closed:
- Ashwell State School
- Brassall State School
- Bundamba State School
- Grandchester State School
- Haigslea State School
- Ipswich State High School
- Karalee State School
- Mount Marrow State School
- One Mile State School
- St Peters Lutheran College Springfield
- Tivoli State School
FLOODWATERS INUNDATE HOMES
Hundreds of Ipswich homes and businesses have been dealt a devastating blow after floodwaters reached a peak of 16.7 metres.
Residents in low-lying areas near riverways at Goodna, Booval, Bundamba, Karalee, Riverview, Rosewood, and Marburg had to evacuate their homes and find safety.
Goodna was one of the worst hit suburbs with many homes completely submerged under floodwaters.
On Sunday night, Ipswich was an island with access points cut off by flooding and more than 6500 residents were plunged into darkness. About 1594 Energex customers were without power across the city on Thursday morning.
WHAT NEXT?
Some residents were told they would not be able to get to their homes and assess the damage for days after the floods, while others could be cut off by floodwaters for weeks.
The Bureau of Meteorology said the peak of 16.7m was expected to sit at major levels for days.
“Minor to major flooding is continuing in the Brisbane Rivers and tributaries, including the Bremer River, Lockyer Creek and Warrill Creek,” a BOM spokeswoman said earlier this week.
“Rainfall totals between 400-800 mm have been recorded across the catchment between Thursday and Sunday, causing widespread and significant flooding across the catchment.”
Wivenhoe Dam releases kept levels high as the dam’s emergency compartment was emptied into the river system.
Rather than waiting for flooding to subside, Seqwater spokesman Mike Foster said it was important to release the water.
“Over the next week we’ll be certainly looking to reduce and in fact empty that flood compartment and bring Wivenhoe down back to its full supply capacity,” Mr Foster said.
“Where houses are at the moment and those properties that are flooded, as we bring those levels down yes that’s the case that some properties may have water longer as we bring those bring those levels down.
“I think mother nature has taught us many things and mother nature can change really quickly so if we were to get more rain coming in next week … we need to ensure that the dam is ready to be able to deal with another event.”
STORIES OF BRAVERY AND LOSS
Goodna man Cameron Rogers, feared missing in floodwaters, was found alive and well following a frantic 15-hour search.
After dropping his family off to safety, Mr Rogers returned home to save his animals from rapidly rising floodwaters on Woogaroo Street.
Miraculously, Police and SES found Mr Rogers safe and well at Redbank at 12pm the next day.
Others were not so fortunate.
Lowood SES hero Merryl Dray lost her life west of Ipswich while trying to save a family from floodwaters at Coolana, north of Minden.
QFES Commissioner Greg Leach said Ms Dray had been a dedicated SES member for almost five years.
“Merryl was trained in storm damage response, first aid and traffic control and was passionate about helping her local community,” Mr Leach said.
“The Dray family and the Lowood SES Group thank the community for the love and support that is being extended to them during this difficult time.”
Just hours later, 6km east of west of the tragedy three men risked their lives to save a woman who was supposedly trapped on her roof.
The Australian Defence Force pulled three missing men to safety during a helicopter rescue at Prenzlau on Saturday afternoon.
Hundreds of Ipswich residents have been left homeless and without possessions. An estimated 330 people were staying at the city’s makeshift evacuation centre on Monday.
SCHOOLS CLOSED
Thousands of schools across South East Queensland closed this week to ensure the safety of students, staff and families.
Education Minister Grace Grace said all government-run schools in the Ipswich LGA would be closed on Monday February 28 and Tuesday March 1.
“Both private and public transport to and from schools will also be very challenging tomorrow, even for those schools not directly impacted by flood waters,” Ms Grace said on Sunday.
“Schools will provide updates to parents through their usual communication channels about the closures, alternate arrangements and reopening dates.”
FLOODING AND DAMAGE MONDAY ROAD CLOSURES
As at Monday February 28, the following roads are closed:
Begin St, Booval – long term flooding
State Route 38, Ipswich – long term flooding
East St Ipswich – long term flooding
Warrell St, West Ipswich – long term flooding
Elizabeth St, Woodend – Flash flooding
Bremer St, Marsden Parade Ipswich – long term flooding
Keogh ST, West Ipswich- long term flooding
Bremer St, Ipswich – long term flooding
King Edward Pde, Ipswich – long term flooding
Mortimer L, Ipswich- long term flooding
Barry St, Ipswich – long term flooding
MacGregor St, Woodend – flash flooding
Roseberry Pde, Woodend – flash flooding
Bank Street North Ipswich – river overflow
Pelican Street North Ipswich North Ipswich
Lawrence Street North Ipswich North Ipswich
Pelican Street North Ipswich North Ipswich
Hunter Street Brassall – Water over the road, below High School at the dog park
Wyndham Street Tivoli
Between Pine St and Mt Crosby Rd Tivoli
Sydney Street Brassall / Wulkuraka
Gregory Street Brassall / Wulkuraka
Sydney Street Brassall / Coalfalls
Pisces Street Brassall / Coalfalls
Mount Crosby Road North Tivoli / Tivoli
Warrego Highway detour at Mt Crosby Rd exit Tivoli
Creek Street Bundamba / North Booval
Gledson Street Bundamba / North Booval
Bognuda Street Bundamba Bundamba / North Booval
Nelson Street Bundamba Bundamba / North Booval
Nelson Street Bundamba
Bognuda Street Bundamba
Creek Street North Booval
Gledson Street North Booval
Mining Street Bundamba
Ross Llewellyn Drive Booval
Macartney Street Booval
Begin Street Booval
State Route 61 Silkstone
Sealy Street Silkstone
Alice Street Blackstone
Queensborough Parade Karalee
Elanora Way Barellan Point / Karalee
Riverside Ave Barellan Point / Karalee
Lyndon Way Karalee
Albatross Ave Karalee
Kholo Bridge (Kholo Road) Kholo
Local Road Bridge Mount Crosby
Redhill Road Karrabin
James Road Pine Mountain
Borallon Station Road Pine Mountain
Pine Mountain Pine Mountain
East Summervilles Road Borallon / Wanora
Summervilles Road Borallon / Wanora
Claus Road Glamorgan Vale
Marburg Road Glamorgan Vale
Glamorgan Vale Road Glamorgan Vale
Marburg Road Glamorgan Vale / Lowood
Marburg Quarry Road Marburg
Queen Street Marburg
Haigslea Malabar Road Tallegalla
Rosewood Laidley Road Calvert
Old Grandchester Road Lanefield
Karrabin Rosewood Road Thagoona
Caledonian Road Walloon
Taylors Road Walloon
Karrabin Rosewood Road Walloon
Seidels Road Walloon
Bell Street Walloon
Haigslea Amberley Road Walloon
Ipswich Rosewood Road Amberley / Rosewood
Mill Street Rosewood
Rosewood Warrill View Road Mill Street Rosewood
Seppanen Road Mount Forbes / Willowbank
Paynes Road Mount Forbes / Willowbank
Ipswich Boonah Road Peak Crossing
Ellison Road Goolman
Ipswich Boonah Road Goolman
Purga School Road Purga
Ripley Road Lyons / South Ripley
Watsons Road South Ripley
Watsons Road South Ripley
Dale Road Camira
Hallett Ave Camira
Hosanna Place Camira
Addison Road Camira
Newman Street Camira / Gailes / Goodna
Bergholz Lane Camira / Gailes / Goodna
Edna Street Camira / Gailes / Goodna
Bertha Street Gailes / Goodna
Braggan Street Gailes / Goodna
Mill Street Gailes / Goodna
Brisbane Road Gailes / Goodna
Woogaroo Street Gailes / Goodna
Smiths Road Goodna
Albert Street Goodna Goodna / Redbank
Lower Cross Street Goodna / Redbank
Brisbane Terrace Goodna / Redbank
Collingwood Drive Collingwood Park
Brisbane Road Redbank / Riverview
Clare Ave Redbank / Riverview
Moggill Ferry Road Riverview
CLOSED BUSINESSES
The following businesses were closed due to flooding on Monday February 28:
- Ipswich Metal Recycling
- Grassroots Business Solutions
- Endeavour Foundation Business Solutions
- Our Bakery Rules — Limestone St location
- 1 Nicholas Street council administration building
- Riverview Recycling and Refuse Centre
- Ipswich Nissan
- Ipswich Art Gallery
- Ipswich Civic Centre
- Ipswich Visitor Information Centre
- Ipswich Animal Management Centre
- All Ipswich libraries
- Bloom hearing specialists
- Ella Bache Ipswich
- FriendlyCare Pharmacy Ipswich
- Ipswich City Pistol Club
- Arttime Supplies Ipswich
- The Ipswich Parish Office Precinct
- Darryl Reeks Archery and Firearms
- Ipswich Family Veterinary Clinic
- City Cave Ipswich
- Queen’s Park Cafe
- Ipswich Massage and Herbal Spa
- Pennywise
- Ipswich Dog Obedience Club
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