Mary River levels surge following heavy rainfall
The Wide Bay Burnett is on alert for flash flooding and rising river levels, with Hervey Bay lashed by a quick electrical storm where some residents thought their “house got hit by lightning”.
Regional News
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The Mungar Rd bridge in Tiaro is now closed to all traffic due to rising Mary River water.
The closure was formalised at 4:03pm while water levels in the river at Tiaro sit at 6.39m, just 21cm off the bridge.
Earlier, a severe thunderstorm with “massive” lightning strikes has lashed Hervey Bay as communities across the Wide Bay Burnett stay on alert for flash flooding and rising rivers following yesterday’s heavy rain.
Residents in the Bay area reported multiple streets, including Urraween Rd and Oleander Ave, had gone under after the quick yet severe rainfall.
Residents are also reporting power outages in Scarness, Kawungan, and Torquay, with the Fraser Coast Regional Council’s disaster dashboard confirming this.
Some took to social media to share their experiences of the storm, with one resident thinking their “house got hit by lightning.”
There is also now a signal fault at the Grevillea St intersection in Kawungan off the back of the electrical storm.
The South Burnett Regional Council have advised residents in their LGA “that flash flooding has eased and water is starting to recede” at midday on Sunday.
“Council has sustained significant damage to our road network,” the statement read.
“Our crews priority will be to re-open our roads as soon as possible.
“Bridges can not be re-opened until bridge inspections can be carried out by certified bridge inspectors.
“We are seeking the community’s patience and understanding while we navigate and inspect our road network.”
The Mary River downstream of Gympie is expected to experience minor flooding, with water levels steadily increasing. At Miva, the river had risen to 7.48 metres by Saturday night, just below the minor flood level of 7.50 metres, which it is forecast to exceed early Sunday morning.
Further downstream, the river at Tiaro is likely to surpass its minor flood level of six metres on Sunday afternoon, while in Maryborough, the river remains below the minor flood level at 3.35 metres and rising with the tide.
Authorities expect Maryborough’s water levels to stay below the minor flood threshold in the coming days.
The Fraser Coast has also seen some road closures over the past 24 hours, with Redbank Rd in Tiaro, Arborthree Rd and Beckmanns Rd in Glenwood, and Netherby and Emerys Bridge Rd in Gundiah all facing rising flood waters.
Mayor George Seymour has confirmed the Mary River is still at the minor flooding level of 6m, but sits below the 6.6m Mungar Rd Bridge.
SOUTH BURNETT
In the South Burnett, a “watch and act” warning for flash flooding remains in place.
Amid the chaos, a car became stranded in rising flood water at Merlwood on Lancasters Rd at about 7.30pm Friday.
A woman in her 50s to Murgon Hospital, while two other occupants escaped unscathed and were given a ride back to town in a fire truck.
By 8pm Friday, the South Burnett Regional Council issued a warning urging residents to avoid travel due to widespread flash flooding, road damage, and infrastructure hazards.
Residents were advised to stay in safe places, avoid floodwaters, and share updates with neighbours and loved ones.
The Queensland Police Service also issued an emergency alert watch and act at 9pm as severe thunderstorms continued to bring intense rainfall.
On Saturday morning, Mayor Kathy Duff said she and her fellow councillors were actively assisting the SES by filling more than 400 sandbags and distributing them to residents in need.
“I urge everyone to please drive to the conditions, stay off the roads if you can, and if it’s flooded forget it. Please stay safe,” Ms Duff said.
Social media reports from residents on Saturday morning revealed varied rainfall measurements across the region, including 30mm at Taabinga near the airport, 49mm at Oakdale, 21mm at Sandy Ridges, and a staggering 93mm in an hour on Stonelands Road near Hivesville.
The flooding has disrupted local events, with Kingaroy Junior Football Club postponing Saturday’s trials due to saturated fields.
The club will announce new dates on social media.
Nanango parkrun also cancelled its Saturday morning event due to unsafe conditions.
Road closures also impacted the Bunya Highway at Dingo Creek, with authorities reminding drivers to avoid flooded roads.
On Saturday BOM advised moderate flooding was occurring along the Stuart River at Proston.
Minor flooding was also occurring along the Boyne River at Cooranga.
The only section of the Boyne River which may reach the minor flood level (2.5m) was at Dunollie.
Heavy rain and flash flooding also smashed the region on December 31, with Kingaroy experiencing record December rainfall.
GYMPIE & FRASER COAST
Saturday’s flood alert also coincides with a grim 14-year anniversary for the Wide Bay Burnett.
On January 11, 2011, floods raged across the state including at Gympie, where the Mary River peaked at more than 19m, and Maryborough were both inundated.
Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said with another 20mm forecasted for Sunday, it’s possible the Mary River at Tiaro, which was at 5.5m, could reach the minor flood level (6m).
“Looking at the heights now it won’t go over the bridge for at least today.
“It’s possible we will reach 6.6m (on Sunday) and require the closing of the bridge with further falls.”
The Mungar Rd Bridge now has the possibility of closing overnight, after Mayor Seymour confirmed it had reached the minor flood level on Saturday afternoon.
Minor flooding is likely along the Burrum River.
As of 8.30am Saturday, the Burrum River at Howard was at 5.96m and rising, below the minor flood level (6m) with a minor peak likely.
Mungar St near St Mary and the Torbanlea Pialba Rd, Takura were closed.
Mr Seymour also said: “Of the low-lying areas, like the end of Main St, Booral Rd and the Bunya Ck area, people will expect there to be flash flooding in the low roads”.
More than 90mm fell at Glenwood overnight.
BOM advised minor flooding may occur along the Mary River downstream of Gympie. However, there was no warning in place for Gympie itself.
The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts easing rain by Saturday afternoon, with no heavy rainfall expected for the coming week.
For assistance during non-life-threatening emergencies, contact SES at 132 500, or use the SES Assistance app.
In life-threatening situations, call triple-0 immediately.
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