Emergency flood alert issued for Dalby, evacuation centres prepared

Dalby residents in low-lying areas and those in need of medical assistance are urged to seek refuge at one of the town’s evacuations centres, with bridges to close and Swift water rescue teams and a helicopter on standby. FULL DETAILS:

The Myall Creek in Dalby has exceeded major flood levels reaching 3.5m and is expected to peak at 10pm tonight at 3.6m.

Mayor Paul McVeigh has advised that residents living in low-lying areas or those that require medical assistance should seek help at one of the evacuation centres, the Dalby Events Centre and Dalby South State School.

The Charles Drew Bridge currently has one lane open but is expected to close to low vehicles once the creek has peaked at 3.6m.

“We have two swift water rescue teams and one helicopter on standby, but we're hoping people make their own choice to leave their homes,“ Mr McVeigh said.

He warned the community it's not just water residents should be wary of, but also backed-up sewage and electrical wiring that can become dangerous during extreme floods.

Earlier

An emergency flood alert has been issued for Dalby as weekend downpours are expected to push the Myall Creek above major flooding levels, nearing heights recorded in the 2010-11 floods.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services issued the emergency warning just after 2pm on Monday, saying Myall Creek at Dalby was likely to exceed 3.5m by late that evening.

“Further rises (are) possible into Tuesday morning. This level would close the Charles Drew Bridge on the Warrego Highway,” it read.

“Residents with properties in low-lying areas should warn their neighbours, secure their belongings, and prepare to move to higher ground immediately.”

Data from the Bureau of Meteorology indicates the Myall Creek was at 3.1m and rising just after 3pm on Monday.

It comes after the Dalby area received more than 70mm of rain in the 24 hours from 9am on Sunday, with nearby towns such as Jondaryan recording 162mm in the past week.

QFES regional manager Robert Bundy said the huge rainfall totals on Sunday night came as a surprise to most across the area.

“There was a bit more rain than predicted in the catchments so it caught people out,” he said.

“The Myall Creek is our major concern at the moment.”

Western Downs Mayor Paul McVeigh said the anticipated peak of 3.64m was nearing the huge 3.8m recorded in the devastating 2010-11 floods.

He said an evacuation centre had been opened at the Dalby Events Centre for those located in low-lying areas of the town, and the council was also prepared to open Dalby South State School to those in need.

“Once it gets past 3.2m we have to look at shutting the Charles Drew Bridge, which will divide the town in two,” Mr McVeigh said.

“We can’t put a value on the damage right now, but it will be significant to the affected areas.”

A partially flooded Cunningham Street, Dalby Picture: Emily Devon

A Dalby resident who has lived on Cunningham St for about 30 years says that despite the street being inundated with floodwaters several times, he has not yet needed to evacuate.

“We all moved our cars from the driveway onto the street at 4.30am this morning,” he said.

He said the home currently sitting at the edge of the water across from him had a kayak that its occupants used to leave the house when they needed to during floods.

Businesses and retailers have again felt the impact of the flooding, with Dalby Shoppingworld mostly surrounded by rapid floodwaters and its underground car park closed off.

The entry and exit of Dalby Shoppingworld carpark on Marble St Picture: Emily Devon

Dalby Shoppingworld centre manager Jon Russell said there was no water in the underground car park as of early Monday afternoon, but he wanted to close it to the public as a precaution.

“It’s to keep people safe and takes the heartache out of decision making,” Mr Russell said.

He advised that flood waters would reach the centre’s flood barriers if the Myall Creek reached its anticipated height.

Multiple retailers inside the centre including Telstra, BE Bright Eyes Sunglasses and Hay’s Jeweller’s of Dalby closed on Monday after staff were unable to get to the stores.

“If it gets to 3.5m I’m sure it’ll affect more businesses, but they’ve got systems in place where they do what they can,” Mr Russell said.

“We don’t force people open if they can’t get staff here.”

The severe weather has lashed nearby regions in the past 48 hours, with emergency services still searching for a man swept away in floodwaters near Toowoomba only hours after finding a man and several dogs dead in a vehicle.

Flood-affected residents should call SES on 132 500 for assistance and triple-0 in life-threatening emergencies.

Originally published as Emergency flood alert issued for Dalby, evacuation centres prepared