Residents who copped the worst of the 2011 Brisbane flood brace for the worst again as waters rise

IT’S a case of déjà vu for locals who copped the worst of the 2011 Brisbane floods, with waters rising rapidly in those same suburbs — and it’s not over yet.

A badly flooded street in East Brisbane — a sight repeated across the city as heavy rain from ex-cyclone Debbie inundates southeast Queensland. Picture: Darren England.

SIX years on from Brisbane’s flood disaster, residents in many of the worst-hit suburbs are feeling a frightening sense of déjà vu.

Large parts of the Queensland capital are experiencing flash flooding as the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Debbie moves south, bringing with it heavy rain and wild weather.

Early Thursday, the State Government warned of a “significant” weather event and took the extraordinary step of closing more than 1000 schools across the southeast region and urged workers to go home early.

Clare Ferrier with her dog Rufus at Frew Park in Milton in Brisbane’s inner west. Picture: Mark Calleja

Conditions began to deteriorate around midday, with half a metre of rain expected to fall in the coming day, prompting workers to return to the safety of their homes.

But a number of low-lying suburbs and those near water are anything but secure, with roads flooded and stormwater systems struggling to cope.

Barely made it home. Victoria/Northey, Victoria/Nicholas and Newmarket roads. #windsor #bigwet #tcdebbie #flooded #brisbane #bnestorm pic.twitter.com/spSFPfNFMP

— Aidan Gavin (@fourdarklines) 30 March 2017

“Barely made it home,” Aidan Gavid said on Twitter, sharing three photos of flooded roads in the inner-northern suburbs.

Oxley, a suburb in Brisbane’s west, has seen significant and widespread flash flooding, authorities say. Picture: Marc Robertson

Rigby Wilshire wades through flood waters to get to his home in East Brisbane. Picture: Darren England.

In the devastation of the 2011 floods, it was inner-city locations like East Brisbane, Woolloongabba, Rosalie and Windsor that were among the worst affected.

Once again, locals there face a tense wait as water levels rise rapidly — and the worst is yet to come.

RELATED: Iconic cockatoo rescued during Cyclone Debbie loses fight

Extensive flooding at #Graceville Train Station. #BigWet pic.twitter.com/t6DI1soNKe

— Lachlan Grant (@_LachlanGrant) 30 March 2017

Similarly, other flood-prone pockets like Kedron, Greenslopes, Moorooka, Durack, Toombul, Annerley and Rocklea are experiencing inundations.

Lara Rangitaawa looking at the flooded car park of Toombul Shopping Centre in Brisbane’s north. Picture: Mark Cranitch

Swift water rescue crews checking cars that went under water at Toombul Shopping Centre. Picture: Mark Cranitch

Brisbane City Councillor Adam Allan shared a video of Toombul Shopping Centre’s car park almost entirely under water.

“Unfortunately a number of cars have been caught by surprise,” Cr Allan wrote.

Worried residents have shared photos and videos of parks underwater, cars submerged and water lapping at the doors of homes and businesses.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the primary flash flood risk came from creeks.

However the memories of the 2011 disaster and its long-lasting aftermath are clearly raw in many people’s minds, with waits of more than an hour at sand bag collection points.

Mr Quirk says council arranged for 500 tonnes of sand to be turned into 40,000 sandbags and crews were adding to that at a rate of 4000 an hour.

Quite a large gap under the bridge on Cornwall St, Annerley around 20 mins ago, not anymore @TripleMBrisbane @hit105Brisbane pic.twitter.com/3bsDbJ6dpA

— Joseph Ogilvie (@jogilvie17) 30 March 2017

And things are only going to get worse with “horrendous” conditions ahead, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Katarina Carroll said.

She warned people to stay away from flood waters as the weather worsens, because emergency crews might not be able to respond.

“We will respond for as long as we can, but there will become a point later tonight where we mightn’t be able to.”

There have been reports of people being rescued from flood waters at Toowong and Greenslopes in Brisbane, and at Logan Village south of Brisbane.

Windsor Brisbane already going under @abcnews pic.twitter.com/vKM1gcMWpF

— Donna Field (@DonnaFieldQld) 30 March 2017

Mr Quirk said fast-rising water was likely to cut roads quickly, with the worst of the weather expected from about 3pm (AEST) and conditions predicted to ease early on Friday.

“Also we are going to see later tonight, and potentially later this afternoon, wind gusts of up to 100km/h,” he told reporters.

Not everyone is worried, with vision of people surfing, bodyboarding and playing in water also to be found online.

Originally published as Residents who copped the worst of the 2011 Brisbane flood brace for the worst again as waters rise