Toowoomba Lockyer Valley road closures: Major highway cut as authorities issue warning to drivers
Hundreds of roads remain cut by floodwater on Tuesday, but in good news a key thoroughfare has reopened. SEE THE FULL LIST
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A red alert for drivers remains in place across Toowoomba and the wider Darling Downs, as hundreds of roads remain cut by flooding.
After mass rainfall totals in the Lockyer Valley across Sunday and Monday, the Bureay of Meteorology has lowed its flood warning levels for both the Lockyer and Laidley Creeks.
Moderate flooding is easing at the Lockyer Creek at Glenore Grove, while minor flooding is easing at Laidley Creek.
The Warrego Highway at Forest Hill has reopened to traffic on Tuesday morning.
Darling Downs district disaster co-ordinator Superintendent Douglas McDonald on Monday said he was optimistic roads to Brisbane would reopen later this week.
“I’m very hopeful that this week that those roads will be open, in fact I’m hoping in the next few days if not before then,” he said.
“The Warrego Highway, to my understanding, will remain closed until at least (Tuesday) at some stage – that will depend on the weather.
“I understand that the Cunningham Highway is also cut west of Ipswich.
“I do understand, from my latest briefing, that it is possible to come down from the north on the New England Highway – once again it’s a very moving (situation), in terms of what happens with the rainfall.
“I always recommend that people try and remain in place, limit your travel unless it’s absolutely necessary.”
EARLIER:
Lockyer Valley Regional Council said the Warrego Highway would be cut at Glenore Grove later on Monday.
There are reports authorities are already turning away cars.
Schools across Toowoomba will reopen this morning, as power mostly returns to the nearly 25,000 homes that were cut following wind gusts reaching 100km/h across Toowoomba.
There are still pockets of Highfields, Goombungee and north of Crows Nest still waiting for power to be returned to their property.
Toowoomba across Sunday escaped most of the torrential rain that has been dumped over the wider Brisbane area and the Lockyer Valley.
In addition to the Laidley alert, emergency warnings have been issued for parts of Brisbane.
But further rainfall is predicted to continue into Monday morning, before easing in the later parts of the day.
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