Disaster Group stands up as Mungindi roads cut by floodwaters

The Balonne Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) has moved to “stand up” status as roads into Mungindi are cut by water.

LDMG Chair Samantha O’Toole said the group had met on Sunday and will meet again today to monitor the situation and respond to any calls for help.

“The LDMG will be working to support Mungindi residents in Queensland, with our New South Wales counterparts, to ensure that they have sufficient supplies. 

“At the moment, surface water has crossed the roads into Mungindi at a depth that requires us to close roads,” Ms O’Toole said.

“This is not the ‘river water’ that we expect will affect the Mungindi area late this week.

“The surface water causing problems right now will probably drain away in a couple of days but we remain concerned about the flood waters moving down upstream tributaries of the Barwon River.

“The advice we are receiving still suggests this river flood peak could cause the Barwon to reach a major flood level at Mungindi.

“In the meantime, the LDMG believes it is prudent for residents to consider what they would do in the event of significant flooding and put their plans in place.”

Ms O’Toole said residents could get more information from Balonne Shire Council’s Emergency Dashboard, which integrates all disaster and emergency management information in a central location for everyone in the Shire.

“The Emergency Dashboard has the Shire’s updates from the Bureau of Meteorology and Ergon, details road-closure update, and also has Queensland Health and Council updates.”

The site can be accessed via: emergency.balonne.qld.gov.au