Laidley, Lockyer Valley issued flood warning on March 10

Flood sirens are sounding in Grantham, with the Lockyer Valley Council warning residents to move to higher ground.

Flood sirens are sounding in Grantham, with the Lockyer Valley Regional Council warning residents at 1pm to ‘move to higher ground and relocate to family and friends as a matter of urgency’.

Locals are being urged to take shelters in the Grantham Butter Factory and Gatton Shire Hall.

“Do not wait for further direction to relocate,” the council said.

Nerves are high in Grantham which was devastated by the 2011 floods.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli says Lockyer Valley “is a major area of focus for us now” as flood and storm threats grow.

Earlier, Lockyer Valley Regional Council issued an emergency warning to ask residents to take shelter due to flooding from ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Mr Crisafulli said the focus was turning to the region.

“A very serious storm cell is moving in that area and overnight there were door knocks in areas like Laidley and Grantham,” he said.

In a warning issued on Monday morning, locals were urged to find somewhere safe as southeast Queensland continued to endure the aftermath of the heavy rain and wind gusts.

“Take safe shelter now as dangerous flooding is occurring in the Lockyer Valley area in the coming hours,” the warning read.

“Warn neighbours if safe to do so, secure belongings and take safe shelter or go to higher ground.

By 11am the Bureau of Meteorology warned major flooding was occurring along the Laidley Creek and possible moderate flooding along Lockyer Creek following rapid and dangerous creek level rises.

“Further moderate to locally heavy rainfall is forecast to continue during much of Monday, with further creek level rises expected to continue along the Lockyer and Laidley Creeks,” the warning read.

BOM said the Laidley Creek would remain above 7m for the day, with further rises possible, reaching the 2011 level of 8.85m.

Lockyer Creek was estimated to be around 7m at Gatton but may reach 11m on Monday with the forecast rainfall.

Laidley’s main street Patrick Street had already been flooded with water rising and the Warrego Highway has been cut, with water over the road.

At 8.49am a severe thunderstorm warning had been issued for Cherbourg and parts of Gympie, Somerset, South Burnett, Lockyer Valley and Toowoomba Council Areas.

The Bureau of Meteorology had deemed this weather system a “very dangerous thunderstorm” that was likely to produce intense rainfall. Dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding was detected near the area southwest of Esk, and west of Esk and Goomeri.

The storm would affect Murgon, Cherbourg and north of Gatton by 9:15 am and Gatton, northeast of Kingaroy and Wondai by 9:45 am.

See the gallery of Lockyer Valley’s 2013 floods below >>>

Meanwhile an initial minor flood warning was issued for the Upper Condamine River at 9am, with minor flooding possible at Warwick on Monday evening, and Pratten and Tummaville on Tuesday.

Minor flooding may occur along the Condamine River to Warwick and also at Killarney, Brosnans Barn, and Elbow Valley. Moderate flooding was occurring at Murrays Bridge.

Minor flooding could also occur along the Condamine River downstream of Warwick to Oakey Creek.

Moderate flooding was occurring at Glengallan Creek and minor flooding was occurring at Allora.

Laidley streets flooded in the aftermath from Cyclone Alfred. Picture: Birdhouse Laidley

Flooding in Laidley following Cyclone Alfred. Picture: Supplied

Flooding in Laidley's main street following Cyclone Alfred. Picture: Lockyer Valley Regional Council

Flooding in Laidley following Cyclone Alfred. Picture: Supplied

Multiple roads linking the Lockyer Valley Regions including Laidley and Gatton were cut off, with floodwaters as high as 3.2m. Picture: Lockyer Valley Regional Council

Multiple roads linking the Lockyer Valley Regions including Laidley and Gatton were cut off, with floodwaters as high as 3.2m. Picture: Lockyer Valley Regional Council

Multiple roads linking the Lockyer Valley Regions including Laidley and Gatton were cut off, with floodwaters as high as 3.2m. Picture: Lockyer Valley Regional Council

Multiple roads linking the Lockyer Valley Regions including Laidley and Gatton were cut off, with floodwaters as high as 3.2m. Picture: Lockyer Valley Regional Council

Multiple roads linking the Lockyer Valley Regions including Laidley and Gatton were cut off, with floodwaters as high as 3.2m. Picture: Lockyer Valley Regional Council

Originally published as Laidley, Lockyer Valley issued flood warning on March 10