Brisbane suburbs in flood’s firing line as heavy rain and high tide combine

Brisbane’s Mayor has revealed new flood mapping as the Brisbane River surges above 2013 flood levels, with streets and properties inundated as more than 1400 homes in close to 100 suburbs are feeling its impact. He also said preparations have begun for the massive clean-up task ahead.

Brisbane residents are dealing with a flood crisis as days of torrential rain combine with a high tide at the mouth of the Brisbane River, more than 1400 homes have floodwater levels “above the floorboards”.

Nearly 100 suburbs, which include Brisbane CBD, Wilston, Windsor, Newmarket, Auchenflower, Hawthorne, Kelvin Grove and Hamilton, were in the firing line of inundation as the high tide was reached shortly after 7.30am, with residents scrambling to escape or to protect pets and belongings.

It began a day of dramatic rescues, and widespread inundation with authorities releasing new flood mapping and warning the threat would continue into Sunday night and Monday morning.

Flood outside Milton State school – Photo Steve Pohlner

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said there have been calls for assistance from across the city, with dramatic roof top rescues and inner city residents rescuing their neighbours using surf and stand up paddleboards as waters flooded their homes.

Neighbours paddle down a Windsor street on Sunday afternoon. Picture: Felicity Ripper

The Brisbane River reached 3.1m this morning – higher than the 2013 flood peak of 2.30 metres – with at least 1430 homes in Brisbane which were impacted above the floorboards, Ms Palaszczuk said.

Wivenhoe Dam releases have occurred, but they have not impacted downstream areas yet.

There is expected to be “high levels” of water in rivers and streams for the next three days at least.

Eagle Street Pier at high tide. Picture: Adrian Schrinner

“The river level is above the level of the 2013 flood peak (2.30metres). Slightly lower levels are expected with Sunday evening’s high tide. The Brisbane River at Brisbane City is likely to reach around 3.00 to 3.20 metres with the high tide during Monday morning.

River levels are not expected to drop below minor flood levels for at least the next few days

A vehicle is submerged in flood water in the suburb of Oxley in Brisbane. (Photo by Dan Peled/Getty Images)

SCROLL DOWN FOR THE FULL LIST OF BRISBANE SUBURBS AFFECTED

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said thousands of properties could be affected.

“For many Brisbane residents, this terrible rain event will be reviving memories of the 2011 floods,” he said.

“Our latest modelling shows flows from the catchments and the potential for further Wivenhoe Dam releases into the Brisbane River may combine with (Sunday’s) high tide (and) this could impact thousands of residential properties.

“Households in low-lying areas should make sure they’re prepared.

“Stock up on sandbags at our depots, ensuring you have essentials and know when it’s time to leave.”

This afternoon, Cr Schrinner released new flood mapping and said preparations for Mud Army 2.0 were under way.

Cr Schrinner tweeted the new map this afternoon, and warned residents in areas shaded blue to be prepared:

“Stock up on sandbags, ensure your household has essentials and know when it’s time to leave,” he said.

Brisbane residents can check the map here.

‼️UPDATED FLOOD MAPPING‼️

Updated flood modelling is now available based on tomorrow morning’s predicted high tide (approx. 8am). Click here for a detailed view: https://t.co/308o3eA7uepic.twitter.com/N7FoMsRJsd

— Adrian Schrinner (@bne_lordmayor) February 27, 2022

As a massive storm lashed the CBD, Cr Schrinner referenced the clean-up job ahead.

“Let me be clear. Now isn’t the time to start cleaning up, however, we’re making plans to gear up once the rain subsides and it’s safe to do so,” he said.

“I’ll share details soon on how you can register to help with Brisbane’s recovery effort.”

Residents in Graceville earlier today said it’s getting “serious” and issued calls for help, while there were reports of evacuations at Corella St in Rocklea.

In Yeronga, residents on Astolat St moved belongings to higher levels, while a resident of Central Ave in Sherwood said his property is “almost two to three metres submerged”.

A 5am alert issued on Sunday by the Bureau of Meteorology warned a low pressure system has developed and is embedded within the surface trough that has been causing havoc over the past few days.

“This low is expected to track southward along the Southeast Queensland coast and into northeastern New South Wales today producing further heavy to locally intense rainfall with embedded thunderstorms,” the alert said.

“Heavy rainfall which may lead to flash flooding is forecast to continue over parts of southeast Queensland today. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 60mm and 120mm are likely to continue, reaching up to 150mm over areas southeast of Caloundra to Warwick.

“Locally intense rainfall leading to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding is possible with thunderstorms during this period, particularly over coastal areas south of Caloundra and the Gold Coast hinterland.

“Six-hourly rainfall totals in excess of 200mm are possible.”

BRISBANE SUBURBS AT RISK ON SUNDAY

ACACIA RIDGE

ALBION

ANSTEAD

ARCHERFIELD

AUCHENFLOWER

BALMORAL

BELLBOWRIE

BOWEN HILLS

BRISBANE AIRPORT

BRISBANE CITY

BROOKFIELD

BULIMBA

CANNON HILL

CARINA

CARINDALE

CHAPEL HILL

CHELMER

CHUWAR

COORPAROO

CORINDA

DARRA

DOOLANDELLA

DUTTON PARK

EAGLE FARM

EAST BRISBANE

FAIRFIELD

FIG TREE POCKET

FORTITUDE VALLEY

GRACEVILLE

GREENSLOPES

HAMILTON

HAWTHORNE

HEMMANT

HERSTON

HIGHGATE HILL

INDOOROOPILLY

JAMBOREE HEIGHTS

JINDALEE

KANGAROO POINT

KARANA DOWNS

KELVIN GROVE

KENMORE

KHOLO

LAKE MANCHESTER

LYTTON

MIDDLE PARK

MILTON

MOGGILL

MOOROOKA

MORNINGSIDE

A vehicle is submerged in flood water on February 26, 2022 in the suburb of Oxley in Brisbane. (Photo by Dan Peled/Getty Images)

MOUNT CROSBY

MOUNT OMMANEY

MURARRIE

NEW FARM

NEWMARKET

NEWSTEAD

NORMAN PARK

OXLEY

PADDINGTON

PINJARRA HILLS

PINKENBA

PORT OF BRISBANE

PULLENVALE

RED HILL

RIVERHILLS

ROCKLEA

SEVENTEEN MILE ROCKS

SHERWOOD

SINNAMON PARK

SOUTH BRISBANE

ST LUCIA

SUMNER

TARINGA

TENERIFFE

TENNYSON

TINGALPA

TOOWONG

WACOL

WEST END

WESTLAKE

WILLAWONG

WILSTON

WINDSOR

WOOLLOONGABBA

WYNNUM WEST

YEERONGPILLY

YERONGA

Originally published as Brisbane suburbs in flood’s firing line as heavy rain and high tide combine