Residents paddle over homes as clean-up commences in 2022 Queensland floods

It could still be days before some Maryborough business owners and residents are able to assess the extent of devastation to their properties caused by flooding.

More than 70 rescues have been carried out, dozens of businesses have reported extensive damage and thousands of displaced Maryborough residents face a massive clean up, some of whom are yet to assess the damage caused by the 2022 floods.

Swiftwater rescue firefighters on Monday reported they were called to more than 70 rescues across the Fraser Coast and Wide Bay-Burnett over the weekend while State Emergency Service Crews received about 200 requests for help.

Twelve large diesel pumps manned by council crews were battling the flood to try to prevent the inundation of Maryborough CBD shops but many couldn’t be spared from damage.

It could still be days before some business owners and residents are able to assess the extent of devastation.

Greg Sears, with his dog Tadpole, says his home remains underwater. Picture: Lachie Millard

Greg Sears is bracing for heartache of seeing his home off Bazaar St which he likely won’t be able to access until tomorrow or Thursday.

The 65-year-old could only see the roof of his home as he paddled his canoe over his 3 hectare property on Monday morning.

Mr Sears said relief washed over him to see he would still have a structure to go home to despite most of his belongings still being under water.

“The roof is there so the rest of it must be there,” he said.

“The biggest devastation will be when I finally get down there to see the mess.

“Where do I start?”

Living on cane lands since 1993, Mr Sears prepared for the floods by attaching wheels to some of his bigger items including a bird cage and machinery.

But given his crop has spent days in water yet to recede, he anticipates he has lots thousands in income.

The clean up is underway in Maryborough’s CBD. Picture: Lachie Millard

The Mary River at Maryborough peaked at 9.96m around 6pm Sunday evening and is expected to fall below the minor flood level of 5m this afternoon.

Floodwaters rushed into the CBD when a stormwater gate under the city’s levee was damaged, heightening the nerves of helpless business owners.

Geoff Myatt of Myatt Jewellers braced for the worst, preparing to install new carpet and cabinetry which could have closed his business for up to six weeks.

But thanks to heroic efforts from council workers and 12 Handy Hire pumps brought in to push water out, the damage to his business was limited.

The council worked through the night in an effort to keep the floodwaters at bay with more than 1000 litres per second sucked from city’s centre.

Water entered a small office at the back of the business but the main shop, which could have gone a metre underwater, was dry on Monday.

Mr Myatt was heartened by what he saw as he took a look at his shop about 5.30am.

“I’m very relieved,” Mr Myatt said.

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 witnessed the water rushing out of the stormwater system yesterday inside the levee which was designed to protect businesses.

“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.’’

The pumping operation continued on Monday.

“The pumps are now working to get water out of flooded basements,” Mr Seymour said.

There were, however, tragedies that couldn’t be spared across the region despite the relentless efforts of civic-minded residents.

It’s estimated hundreds of livestock have been washed away with farmers unable to do anything but watch on.

Livestock has been washed down the Mary River. Picture: Lachie Millard

Fraser Coast hobby farmer Kerri Dixon said she would be “kicking herself” forever for not being able to save her pet sheep bleating in distress at the weekend.

Some of her sheep and cattle have turned up alive on neighbours’ properties while about 10 animals have been called to dry after floating through her paddock.

Others haven’t been so lucky.

A Carnudge Droughtmaster bull died after it was swept down the Mary River down to River Heads during a two-day ordeal.

Residents documented the journey of the bull, initially believed to be Rob Orphant’s, before an attempt was made on Monday to pull the bull to shore.

Helicopters, boats and jet skis joined the team of helpers who threw ropes over the bull, but it died during the rescue mission.

Mr Orphant reported his own bull named Go Pro was also found dead downstream.

The Dixon family said farmers expect to field calls for weeks about their tagged animals being found as the water recedes and Maryborough residents clean up.