Gold Coast weather: Severe storm warning issued as schools close, roads flood

Council is warning residents in parts of the Gold Coast they may have to evacuate after a flood warning was issued for the Coomera River. SEE VIDEO OF THE SWOLLEN RIVER

COUNCIL is warning residents in parts of the northern Gold Coast that they may have to consider moving to higher ground after heavy rain brought flooding to much of the city and the Bureau of Meteorology warned of more storms to come.

A number of schools and roads were closed today due to the downpour, with parents asked to collect children after floodwaters rose.

Council said heavy rain in the north of the city could cause flooding in parts of Oxenford, Hope Island and Helensvale.

“Flood modelling indicates that properties adjacent to the Coomera River and Saltwater Creek may be impacted,” a council statement said.

“Monitor the situation and if necessary move to higher ground.”

Due to heavy rain in the northern Gold Coast, some properties may be impacted by floodwater in the Oxenford, Hope Island...

Posted by City of Gold Coast on Wednesday, 12 February 2020

Council has opened an emergency evacuation centre at the Coomera Indoor Sports Centre to accommodate anyone should they be forced to leave their home.

Residents have been assured they can also bring their pets.

“The City has opened Coomera Indoor Sports Centre at 35 Beattie Road, Coomera as a place of refuge this afternoon,” council said in a statement.

The Coomera River at the Oxenford Weir. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

“If you have evacuated and cannot stay with relatives or friends, the centre will provide shelter and support.

“The centre can accommodate domestic pets including cats and dogs.

“While most roads leading to the Centre are currently clear, please avoid Siganto Drive.”

Council has established a number of sand bagging stations across the city in preparation for further rain.

Stations are located at the City of Gold Coast depots at Pimpama, Bilinga and Burleigh Heads.

⚠️ Severe #QldStorm Warning issued for heavy #rain in the Scenic Rim and #GoldCoast including #Coomera, Hope Island, South Stradbroke Island and Jacobs Well. Details and updates:https://t.co/zsYZRqN8WL pic.twitter.com/S3Q2oo1vMD

— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) February 13, 2020

The preparations came after the Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe storm warning for further heavy rain across the city, including in Coomera, Hope Island, South Stradbroke Island and Jacobs Well.

A flood warning was also issued for the Coomera River.

⚠️#QLDFlood Warning issued for the #Coomera River where major flood levels are about 2.5m above the previous record at Oxenford Weir. Further heavy rainfall that could lead to flash flooding is expected in the next few hours. See https://t.co/aFSUbCocZo for more information. pic.twitter.com/5MN8Oir4n6

— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) February 13, 2020

A number of schools were forced to call a halt to classes and ask parents to come and collect their children across the Gold Coast this morning as torrential rain flooded roads and caused rivers to rise.

Pacific Pines State High School, Pimpama State School and Coombabah State School were among schools to close after initially opening as normal.

Parents were asked to collect their children from the schools as soon as possible.

Beenleigh Special School and Livingstone Christian College were also forced to close.

Other schools did not open because of the weather conditions.

Currumbin Valley State School, Tallebudgera State School, Tweed River High School, Mt St Patrick College in Murwillumbah and the Pacific Coast Christian School in Tweed were all closed due to localised flooding.

COAST SOAKED AFTER OVERNIGHT DOWNPOUR

Little Nerang Dam

FULL DIGITAL ACCESS: $1 FOR FIRST 28 DAYS

Those schools left open were on high alert with many promising updates throughout the day.

In a notice online, Palm Beach and Currumbin State High said drains were coping, but said if heavy rain returns the school will “quickly become problematic”.

The school remained open despite a number of absent NSW-based staff.

Many of the Gold Coast’s major theme parks also closed their doors today.

Wet’n’Wild, Movie World, WhiteWater World and Dreamworld were all closed due to severe weather.

In Pictures: Flooding across the Gold Coast

VIEW GALLERY

A flood watch remains in place for Gold Coast rivers and creeks.

The Hinze Dam is now at 94.2 per cent and the Little Nerang dam is currently at 103.7 per cent and has spilt over.

Flood water at Pacific Pines

The Gold Coast Dam catchment received 242.8mm of rain in the past seven days.

Roads closed due to flooding:

* Sandy Creek Road, Yatala

* Stanmore Road, Wolffdene/Yatala

* Pimpama Jacobs Well Road, Pimpana

* Hotham Creek Road, Willow Vale

* Old Pacific Highway, Oxenford

* Kopps Road, Oxenford

* Heslop Road, Gaven

* Heritage Drive, Mount Nathan

* Clagiraba Road, Mount Nathan

* Paradise Road, Willawong

* Birds Road, Maudsland

* Coburg Road, Canungra

* Clagiraba Road, Mount Nathan

* Tallebudgera Connection Road, Tallebudgera

* Araluen Road, Tallebudgera Valley

* Currumbin Creek Road, Currumbin Valley

* Mudgeeraba Road, Mudgeeraba

* Hardy’s Road, Mudgeeraba

* Somerset Drive, Mudgeeraba

* Tweed Valley Way, Chinderah