Danger not over yet for Queensland as 76-year-old man brings horror death toll to nine
South East Queensland is only just starting to clean up from heavy flooding but authorities are warning residents the danger could soon return.
Environment
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While much of South East Queensland is enjoying blue skies and a reprieve from rain, another round of severe storms is forecast to hit the state, with authorities warning the flood danger is not over yet.
More heavy rain is tipped wash over the state’s battered southeast on Thursday afternoon, with destructive winds, giant hail and the return of flash-flooding real possibility as the disaster bill continues to rise.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Wednesday afternoon warned a “very dangerous” situation could develop over the next 24 hours and urged residents to pay attention to weather warnings.
â›ˆï¸ Severe #storms likely across #SEQ on Thursday across flooded areas. Heavy to intense rainfall, large to giant hail and damaging to destructive wind gusts are possible. Flash flooding and renewed river rises possible with any heavy rain. Latest: https://t.co/CK1YVbwoZp. pic.twitter.com/dW8hqNnE6l
— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) March 2, 2022
The warning came as some areas of South East Queensland only just began to clean up after the worst flood in a century, with the damage bill tipped to surpass $1bn.
The disaster has so far claimed the lives of nine people and another person is missing.
Floodwaters rose so high in some parts of Gympie that residents had their entire homes destroyed.
Others watched water tanks float away, while the water rose so high in the streets a quad bike was seen hanging on powerlines after the water receded.
There are currently 2000 homes in Gympie without power and 160 that have sustained major damage, while 50 homes in Logan have been inundated.
Motorists continue to face massive delays on the region’s roads.
However, authorities have warned the worst may not be over with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting more rain across the region at the end of the week.
Deputy Premier Steven Miles has dubbed the worrying situation in Queensland a “national scale emergency”.
“Not just its level of impact here in the southeast but now of course spanning two states and our thoughts are with those in NSW,” he told reporters on Wednesday.
“The disaster here in Queensland is far from over.”
Mr Miles said tidal surges in the river were continuing to peak and wreak havoc in affected communities.
“Areas like Logan will continue to be inundated with each tidal peak over coming days,” he said.
“And then the clean-up begins.”
Brisbane River peaked at 3.35m during Tuesday’s high tide, with floodwater being pushed into homes.
The body of a 76-year-old man, who went missing in floodwater near Glen Esk on Sunday, was found submerged in his car at Paddy Gully Creek at Moombra.
His death brought the toll from the disaster to nine.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said it was going to take “a lot of time” to get people back into their homes across the region.
“It’s around the Logan area, which saw a peak above ex-tropical cyclone Debbie and we’re hearing there could be in excess of 150 homes impacted,” she told ABC News Breakfast.
“I was up in Ipswich yesterday — around 200 homes impacted.
“We’re heading up to Gympie to see how the recovery is going up there. The Bruce Hwy has just opened to Gympie as well.”
The Premier has warned the damage bill could exceed more than $1bn.
“I’m expecting this will be into the millions if not hitting the billion mark,” she said.
“It’s just phenomenal.”
Ms Palaszczuk said while homes and businesses had been damaged, the state also needed to repair roads, parks and powerlines.
“This was essentially a system that sat over the entire catchments. Not only did it flow into the river, it had an impact into the streams and catchments leading into the river,” she said.
As the water is slowly receding, roads across Queensland are beginning to open, but motorists are being warned to be careful.
The Bruce Hwy has reopened south of Gympie through to Brisbane, the Centenary Motorway is open through Jindalee, the Warrego Hwy is open over the Bremer River at Ipswich and the M1 between Brisbane and the Gold Coast is open.
However, many roads remain closed, including the Ipswich Motorway at Rocklea, Moggill Rd is closed at Pinjarra Hills and Mount Crosby Rd is closed in multiple places.
Beechmont Rd, Currumbin Creek Rd and Tomewin Mountain Rd are all closed, while Lamington National Park road has a 20-tonne load limit between Sarabah and O’Reilly’s.
While Queenslanders are waiting for the water to recede, emergency services are still rescuing people in the Logan area.
The Logan River continued to rise on Tuesday night as high tide swept through about 10.30pm while water levels at Waterford had risen to 11.15 metres.
Up to 151 schools have been closed across the region up to Wednesday as the flood crisis continues.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Deputy Commissioner Mike Wassing said there were three water rescues overnight to Wednesday morning.
“We’ve had another 85 requests for assistance, that makes a total of 10,200 requests for assistance and 638 water rescues,” Mr Wassing told Today.
“That is certainly dropping off and our focus with the community and local councils and all of our partners is really now focused on the relief and recovery efforts.”
Mr Wassing warned floodwaters remained high across Maryborough, Brisbane and Logan.
“It is still a very dangerous environment,” he said.
“Unfortunately from a weather perspective the bureau are now predicting the potential for severe storms later on today and through to the weekend.”
Mr Wassing said even with waters receding there is still “a lot of damage” and warns residents to remain cautious.
While residents are returning to work and schools, road closures remain in place as debris is strewn across roads.
“With the weather coming through this afternoon and through to the weekend, our plans are in place for that,” Mr Wassing said.
“Be aware of the situation. Be aware of the weather. We expect we are going to get local storms.
“What will come with that will be very quick flash floods, and during those storms it’s best not to be on the road and allow people and allow our emergency service workers to get to the areas that they need to.”
It is expected between 50 and 100mm each day could affect water levels.
Bureau meteorologist Jonathon How said the “danger is not over yet” as severe weather could hit the region later in the week.
Brisbane received almost a year’s worth of rain in the three-day weather event.
Meanwhile, residents in parts of the Fraser Coast and Sunshine Coast local government areas impacted by severe flooding can now access financial assistance and support services, including Emergency Hardship Assistance grants of up to $180 per person and $900 for a family of five or more.
Originally published as Danger not over yet for Queensland as 76-year-old man brings horror death toll to nine
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