Mackay flooding: November rain drops 300mm on region

Parts of Queensland have copped a whopping 300mm of rain overnight, forcing the closure of a school and nearly 300 roads, and reports of a landslide amid widespread flooding. WATCH.

Intense rainfall has drenched the Mackay region, with 300mm falling in some parts, triggering road closures and a school shutting its gates today.

Paget recorded a whopping 297mm of rain since 9am Sunday.

Ooralea recorded 249mm, Glenella 208mm, Mount Pleasant 156mm, Dumbleton Rocks 147mm and Sarina 113mm.

Low-lying cane fields are swamped with water to the side of Horse and Jockey Rd after heavy rainfall overnight, November 29, 2021. Picture: Lillian Watkins

RACQ tweeted about 11am that 280 roads were closed across Queensland. It urged motorists to plan ahead and not attempt to cross flooded causeways.

Mackay State Emergency Service local controller Alex McPhee said there were 14 SES volunteers deployed on Monday, with more crews expected to join after work finished in the afternoon.

To the side of Mackay Ring Road in Bakers Creek a strong current of water sweeps past cane fields after heavy rainfall overnight, November 29, 2021. Picture: Lillian Watkins

“We have 13 jobs at the moment, ranging from leaking roofs to sandbagging,” Mr McPhee said at noon.

He said the majority of sandbagging jobs were protecting houses from flooding yards.

“At the moment we’re coping quite nicely,” Mr McPhee said.

If anyone was concerned about flooding in their area, Mr McPhee advised them to call 132 500 to log the job with SES.

Otherwise, there are 14 emergency sand stockpiles located across the region designed for residents to protect property from flooding.

Emergency sand stockpile locations

When collecting sand, bring your own shovels and bags which can be purchased from most hardwares.

Armstrong Beach - Rural Fire Brigade Shed

Calen - Church St

Campwin Beach - SES Facility, 103 Campwin Beach Rd

Finch Hatton - SES Facility, 17 Letchford St

Grasstree Beach - 40 Zelma St

Koumala - SES Facility, Bull St

Midge Point - SES Facility, 1503 Midge Point Rd

Mirani - Corner of Victoria and Augusta St

North Mackay - Norris Rd Reserve (PCYC end)

Sarina - SES Facility, Brewers Rd

Seaforth - Community Centre, 1 Elizabeth St

South Mackay - BB Print Stadium Mackay, overflow car park on Leisure St

West Mackay - Hume St

West Mackay - 374 Shakespeare St (beside 233 Army Cadet premises)

Most of the rain fell in heavy bursts overnight, even causing a landslide 1km south of Sarina which has reduced a northbound lane.

South Mackay recorded 223mm in the same period, while Mackay Airport copped 216mm.

Mackay Christian College in North Mackay is closed to students with floodwaters washing through campus buildings and the playground flooded.

Photos of the college campus show the outdoor grounds between buildings completely submerged, with the water covering much of the playground area.

One photo shows the flood water inside one of the schools buildings with new stationery perched precariously on the wall.

Mackay Christian College has closed because of flooding on Monday, November 29, 2021. Picture: Mackay Christian College

Mackay North State High School Wills St drop-off zone is similarly submerged, with the school advising guardians to use alternative drop off areas.

The heavy rainfall, which has continued Monday morning, is causing havoc as pools overflow and drenched parklands fill up.

Localised flash flooding has closed Willetts Rd at Mount Pleasant, Hicks Rd at Glenella, Palm Tree Rd at Homebush, Golf Links Rd and Beaconsfield Rd at Beaconsfield.

Word has it Silly Solly’s has raincoats for sale at $5 but they are almost sold out.

The rain and dangerous driving conditions come as the RACQ launches a new campaign “drive like your life depends on it” ahead of the festive season.

More than 40 signs on some of Queensland’s deadliest roads, pleading with motorists to Drive Like Your Life Depends On It.

Club spokeswoman Kate Leonard-Jones said Queensland was already on track for one of the worst years for road deaths in a decade, with more than 255 lives lost so far.

“Drivers will see 16 of these signs along the Bruce Highway alone, where head-on and speed-related crashes are very common,” she said.

“Families and communities are being ripped apart because of crashes, many of which sadly happen when drivers are tired or not paying attention, are speeding or fail to keep left on high-speed roads.

“Christmas is just weeks away and is one of our highest risk times for crashes with so many more Queenslanders travelling by car to be with family and friends.”

BOM has forecast showers in the Mackay region for the rest of the week with minimums of 22-23C and maximums of 32C.

During a severe weather event with intense rainfall, it is important to know who to phone if help is needed.

• For a life-threatening situation, phone Triple 0.

• For storm-related damage to private property, phone the State Emergency Services (SES) on 132 500.

• For any fallen power lines, phone Triple 0 or Ergon on 131 670.