3000 homes flooded in Ipswich as Bremer River peak revised down

ABOUT 1500 people have taken shelter in evacuation centres as floodwaters rise in the southeast Queensland city of Ipswich.

Homes in the city of Ipswich, west of Brisbane, are inundated by floodwaters. Picture: AAP

ABOUT 1500 people have taken shelter in evacuation centres as floodwaters rise in the southeast Queensland city of Ipswich.

Mayor Paul Pisasale said the revised river peak of 20.5m by 4pm today - down from an earlier estimate of 22m - was a relief, despite thousands of homes currently underwater.

Ten evacuation centres are operational, 43 streets blocked off and 3000 homes are currently inundated.

"From my point of view I'm just so happy we're looking at equivalent to the 1974 floods, but that's still 4000 homes," he told the ABC.

"There's not too many suburbs in Ipswich that have escaped the floods."

He said there were 12 rescues in the city overnight and he urged residents to stay home off the roads.

"The message today is it's very dangerous out there with roads overflowing," he said.

"Stay at home, listen to news bulletins and the radio. We'll tell you when it's safe to go out there.

"The next 48 hours is about looking after people.

"Between now and this afternoon, we're praying for the best."

The boom city straddles the Bremer River and lies alongside the Brisbane River - which are both are classified as in major foods.

It was devastated in the historic 1974 flood, but over the last 30 years the population has swelled to 155,000 with thousands more houses built.

Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson said Ipswich was a priority area for emergency services today.

The nearby town of Toogoolawah is completely isolated.

Premier Anna Bligh highlighted the differences between the cities of 1974 and today.

"We are in a 1974 flood situation in Ipswich," she said.

"In making those 1974 comparisons, both the city of Ipswich and the city of Brisbane are vastly different places than they were in 1974.

"Many more people are expected to be affected by this event, even though the floodwaters are similar."

IPSWICH EMERGENCY INFORMATION

Ipswich City Council has opened an evacuation centre at the Ipswich Showgrounds, Warwick Road for residents who wish to self-evacuate. There is provision for pets at this centre.

As of 1pm 11/1/11 - Ipswich roads closed owing to flooding:

- Junction Road, Karalee

- Queensborough Parade, Karalee

- Albatross Street, Karalee

- Riverside Avenue, Barellan Point

- Old Toowoomba Road at 3 Mile Bridge

- Marsden Parade, Ipswich

- Sydney Street, Brassall

- Bremer Parade, Woodend

- Roseberry Parade, Woodend

- Thagoona Haigslea Road

- Karrabin Rosewood Road

- Rosewood Marburg Road

- Ipswich Rosewood Road

- Mt Crosby Road near the treatment works at Tantivy Hill

- Simmons Road, North Ipswich

- Cypress Street, North Ipswich

- Tantivy Road, North Ipswich

- Ipswich Boonah Road

- Brisbane Terrace is currently closed from Monash Street to Lower James Street.(However the rates of the flow will see the entire length of Brisbane Terrace closed very soon)

- Lower James Street, Goodna

- Lower William Street, Goodna

- Woogaroo Street, Goodna

- Mill Street, Goodna from Bertha Street to Enid Street

-Albion St & Kingsmill Rd (Hancock Bridge)