Sunshine Coast, Noosa floods: Roads to be prioritised following catastrophic event

The extreme flooding event that wreaked havoc across the Sunshine Coast and Noosa is expected to be felt for months. Check out our interactive timeline for the week that was.

Be it a once in a decade event or a generational one, the February, 2022 floods that wreaked havoc across the Sunshine Coast, Noosa and Gympie are expected to end up in the record books.

That’s the view of the weather bureau which is set to do a full scale assessment of the widespread weather event after it disperses.

The six-day event claimed lives, inundated roads, bridges, homes and businesses has been labelled a catastrophic event while the damages are expected to be felt for months.

One veteran resident of Maroochy River Alan Johnson compared the drenching to the floods of the 90s.

Meteorologist Helen Kirkup said it was too early to say whether the flooding was a once in a decade or generational event, however, she said a full report would be prepared.

She said the intense system triggered the same level of rainfall as a cyclone.

At the surface there was a massive trough and above the surface was an upper trough which kept the rainfall enhanced,” she said.

“The was being infed moisture from the tropics and because it was not a mobile system it stayed in the same spot and didn’t share the love.

“It was a really broad system.”

Hinterland towns like Kenilworth, Kin Kin and Obi Obi were cut off, the Bruce Highway was closed, flights diverted to Brisbane after day upon day of unrelenting downpours.

Widespread totals of more than 1000mm fell throughout the six days with the drenching starting late on Tuesday, February 22 and lasting into Sunday, February 27.

The record-level rainfall saturated rivers, creeks and catchments and floodwaters tragically claimed the life of Belli Park woman Philippa Tayler last week.

A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokesman said the region had recorded about 130 swift water rescues since Tuesday and that State Emergency Services crews had responded to more than 1000 incidents.

Mayor Mark Jamieson said roads would be prioritised in Sunshine Coast Council’s recovery following the catastrophic following event.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson said the six days of extreme weather would come at an enormous cost on the region.

Mr Jamieson said significant damage had been done to the region’s roads, bridges, public assets and community infrastructure with the hardest hit in the hinterland.

“The extent of the damage will take weeks and in some cases, months to assess, prioritise and complete,” Mr Jamieson said.

“This has been a major event and will take time.

“We have an idea of the level of damage but not idea of the cost, however, the damage to our road network was significant.”

Bradman Ave, Maroochydore was closed following days of downpours. Picture: Patrick Woods.

He said some of the lower levels of homes along Bradman Ave, Maroochydore had been damaged by flooding from the Maroochy River.

Mr Jamieson said he had been in discussions with Deputy Premier Steven Miles about prioritising the road network recovery.

“The fact that so many are damaged, it will take a long time,” he said.

Mr Jamieson said he was not aware of supply issues following the temporary closure of the Bruce Highway however, he said fuel had been at low levels at some petrol stations.

He urged residents against panic buying now that the Bruce Highway was reopen, albeit with only one lane in each direction.

Youngsters making the most of the wet weather in Max Grady, Dylan Woods and Zane Luther at Muller Park, Bli Bli. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Mr Jamieson warned that while the rain had subsided, the threat of landslides could remain for weeks.

“People, particularly the hinterland where there’s been a lot of landslips, they can occur for weeks to come,” he said.

“The hinterland is where a lot of road challenges are and they will be considered quite dangerous.

“Places like Kenilworth, Yandina Creek and Belli Park were hit hard.

“There will be potholes and washouts across the whole Coast.”

The Insurance Council of Australia declared the severe weather and flooding issues across the southeast as a catastrophic event.

Hilton Tce, Tewantin is expected to remain closed until later this week after major flooding. Picture: Patrick Woods.

An RACQ spokesman said there had been 443 claims made by Sunshine Coast residents with 378 for property and 65 for motor vehicle related.

About 80 residents on the Sunshine Coast and Noosa made claims through NRMA while 150 customers made claims through Youi.

“Obviously these numbers will rise as people are able to return to their homes and lodge claims,” a Youi spokeswoman said.

“Given the severity of this event, Youi has more than doubled the number of claims lodgement staff and will continue to ensure we are doing everything we can to support our customers when they need us most.

“Youi assessors and our mobile assessing truck are standing by to enter areas to assist customers as soon as it is safe to do so.”

SCHOOL CLOSURES

Education minister Grace Grace confirmed late Monday that selected state schools in the Sunshine Coast and Noosa regions will begin to reopen from Tuesday.

All schools in South East Queensland were closed on Monday as the heavy intense rainfall continued across the region.

However, the following state, Catholic and independent schools will remain closed on Tuesday after there was extensive flood damage in the area:

Coolum State High School

Coolum State School

Cooran State School

Eudlo State School

Federal State School

Glasshouse Christian College

Kin Kin State School

Mapleton State School

OneSchool Global QLD, Nambour

St Andrew’s Anglican College, Peregian Springs

Tewantin State School

FLOOD WARNINGS CONTINUE

Flooding alerts are current for several rivers across the region including, the Noosa and Maroochy Rivers.

The weekend’s devastating drenching had created emergency conditions for populated communities including Gympie, Maryborough, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich and Brisbane, and Lismore and Grafton.

Maroochy River

Flooding is easing along the Maroochy River.

The Maroochy River at Dunethin Rock is currently at 1.61m (below the minor flood level) and falling.

The Maroochy River at Dunethin Rock is expected to remain below the minor flood level (2.9m) for the next few days.

The Maroochy River at Picnic Point peaked at 1.31m (minor flooding) around 6.36am on Monday and is currently at 0.61m (below the minor flood level) and falling.

The Maroochy River at Picnic Point is likely to remain below the minor flood level (1.30m) for the next few days.

Noosa River

Moderate flooding is occurring along the Noosa River, with flooding around the major level at Boreen Point.

The Noosa River at Tewantin peaked with the high tide at 1.62m around 6.54am on Monday and is currently at 1.42m and rising with the Monday evening tide, with moderate flooding.

The river level may fall below the moderate flood level (1.30m) overnight Monday into Tuesday, before rising with the high tide on Tuesday morning to peak around the same level as the Monday morning peak, with moderate flooding.

Mooloolah River

Isolated flooding is occurring along the Mooloolah River and tributaries, with minor flooding at Meridan Way and Ewen Maddock Dam.

The Mooloolah River at Palmview is currently 3.84m (below minor) and falling.

The Mooloolah River at Palmview is likely to remain below the minor flood level (4.50m) for the next few days.

Coochin Creek

Flooding is easing along Coochin Creek.