Noosa passes first flood hurdle

More than 2000 sandbags have saved Noosa residents and businesses from major flooding tonight but emergency workers say the river levels could remain high for days.

About 2000 sandbags are being put to the test tonight as Noosa prepares to face its river peak about 7pm. Emma Forsyth sent us this picture which was taken at 5.30pm this afternoon.

More than 2000 sandbags have saved Noosa residents and businesses from major flooding tonight but emergency workers say the river levels could remain high for days.

The Noosa River peaked at 1.6 metres at 6.47pm tonight and was listed as steady by the weather bureau.

But experts say the river could rise to a full 1.7 metres by tomorrow morning - just 100mm short of the 1992 level of 1.8 metres which caused devastating flooding.

SES volunteers, residents and business operators had been filling sandbags all day in preparation for tonight's peak.

And the hard work seems to have paid off so far with Emergency Management Queensland reporting no calls for evacuations by 7.30pm tonight.

An EMQ spokesperson said there had been only 11 calls from 4pm today for assistance and they related mainly to sandbagging.

But the situation is tougher for residents at Boreen Point where the only access is by boat or helicopter.

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Lake Cootharaba at Boreen Point was listed at 2.75m and steady at 5.15pm, while Lake Cooroibah was 2.03m and rising slowly at 6pm.

Noosa counter disaster committe deputy Ray Kelly, who toured Boreen Point, said the caravan park was a 'disaster'.

"There are caravans not floating but they are popping up (in the water),'' Mr Kelly said.

He said the general store on the esplanade had been cleared out and moved to higher ground in a shed near the fire station.

Noosa mayor Bob Abbot said earlier residents had been letterbox dropped and advised to get out of their homes if they believed they would be flooded. Those wanting to stay have been advised to ring 132 500 if they get into trouble.

Throughout the day, residents have been collecting and filling sandbags at the Tewantin SES depot to prepare for the rising waters.

Emergency Management Queensland (EMQ) is asking residents to continue to monitor their properties in flood affected areas.

A total of 41 SES volunteers from Brisbane, Gatton, Toowoomba, Laidley and Warwick have been deployed to the region to support Sunshine Coast SES and Rural Fire Service volunteers.

Significant resources are being distributed from the Tewantin Incident Control Centre, ranging from 2000 sandbags to hundreds of tarps and plastic sheeting.

To seek SES assistance from anywhere within Queensland the number to contact is 132 500. In a life-threatening emergency always phone Triple Zero

FLOOD WARNING FOR THE NOOSA AND MAROOCHY RIVERS

Issued at 7:04pm on Saturday the 25th of August 2007

by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane.

At Tewantin and Noosaville, only slight increases in flood levels are expected overnight tonight. In the Maroochy River system, most river levels have now fallen below minor flood level. Moderate to major flooding in Yandina Creek

and Paynter Creek will continue to ease.

In the Noosa River, major flood levels at Lake Cootharaba and Lake Cooroibah are at their peak. As flood waters drain from the lakes, the level at Tewantin is expected to rise very slowly and peak near 1.7 metres during Sunday morning.

This is only about 0.1 metres above its current level, and near the level of the 1992 flood which was about 1.8 metres.

The high tide in the Noosa River occurring now has caused only a slight rise of about 0.1 metres at Tewantin which is steady at 1.6 metres at 7pm.

River levels at Tewantin will remain at a high level, near 1.7 metres, during Sunday until the evening high tide before commencing to fall more quickly overnight Sunday and during Monday morning.

In the Maroochy River, stream levels are falling and most are now below minor flood level. Moderate to major flood levels in Yandina Creek and Paynter Creek are expected to continue falling. River levels in the lower Maroochy River are expected to remain below minor flood level.

The next warning will be issued at about 8am Sunday.

Latest River Heights in metres include:

N Maroochy R at Eumundi 2.66m falling at 642pm Sat 25/08/07

S Maroochy R at Kiamba 1.58m steady at 651pm Sat 25/08/07

Maroochy R at Dunethin Rock 1.82m steady at 651pm Sat 25/08/07

Yandina Ck at Yandina Ck 5.01m falling at 634pm Sat 25/08/07

Paynter Ck at Diddillibah 4.01m falling at 455pm Sat 25/08/07

Eudlo Ck at Eudlo 1.85m falling at 558pm Sat 25/08/07

Maroochy R at Picnic Point 1.04m steady at 618pm Sat 25/08/07

L Cootharaba at Boreen Point 2.75m steady at 515pm Sat 25/08/07

L Cooroibah 2.03m rising slowly at 600pm Sat 25/08/07

Noosa R at Tewantin 1.60m steady at 647pm Sat 25/08/07

Noosa R at Noosa Bar 1.04m rising at 652pm Sat 25/08/07

Warnings and River Height Bulletins are available at website

Flood Warnings are also available on telephone [phone].

Originally published as Noosa passes first flood hurdle