WATCH AND ACT NO.6

Monday 16 May 2022 - 11.30am

This is a FLOOD WATCH from the Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) for the Balonne Shire. Our Local Disaster Management Group is continuing to monitor flood warnings and road conditions across the Balonne Shire.

CONDAMINE - BALONNE RIVER SYSTEM

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) advised at 4.56pm Sunday 15/5/2022 that Major Flood warnings continue in the catchment.

This will impact parts of the Condamine River downstream of Warwick to Loudoun Bridge (near Dalby) and onto Surat into Monday.

At 6.15am this morning Queensland Transport provided the following photo of Loudoun Bridge near Dalby. Condamine River is expected to continue to rise.

Loudon Bridge

The Balonne River at Warroo was 6.73 metres and steady, well below the minor flood level (m). The Balonne River at Warroo is expected to remain below the minor flood level (9.00 m) although slow river level rises will continue as upstream floodwater arrives.

ST GEORGE - Balonne River – downstream of Beardmore Dam

No further changes to conditions as we await inflows from Condamine and Maranoa systems into Beardmore Dam.

HEBEL - Bokhara River

The Bokhara River at Hebel was at 1.12 metres and steady, with minor flooding and likely to remain this way during the next few days, with further small rises.

BOLLON – Wallam/Mungallala Creek

Waters now falling at Wallam Creek, Bollon. The Bollon – Cunnamulla section of the Balonne Highway remains opened with caution.

MOONIE RIVER

At 9.39am Monday 16 May 2022 – BOM advised Moderate flooding occurring at Flinton and Moderate Flooding likely at Nindigully and Thallon Bridge.
The Moonie Highway at Claude Bowhay Bridge pictured below is at 1m and closed to all traffic.

MUNGINDI - Macintyre - Weir - Barwon

At 9.00am Monday 16/5/2022 – Barwon River at Mungindi was 6.71m and steady. Talwood Mungindi Road closed due to flooding.
Carnarvon Highway is open with caution but could close without notice as waters come overland.
Council will have crews inspect the penstocks on the levee and arrange to have resources in town in case of isolation from St George.

TRAVEL ALERTS

All road users are reminded to check road conditions before travelling and that road conditions can change without notice. Major highways are affected including:
• Balonne Highway west of Bollon – proceed with caution to Cunnamulla
• Carnarvon Highway heading to Thallon - Mungindi – proceed with caution (30km north of Mungindi)
• Carnarvon Highway heading to Surat – proceed with caution (48km north of St George)
• Castlereagh Highway – proceed with caution – Dirranbandi to Hebel
• Moonie Highway – Closed
A number of local roads are either closed or subject to flooding with inability to access and repair due to wet and sodden conditions. Council is continuing to monitor, put out warnings and will undertake emergent works as weather and conditions permit.

GENERAL UPDATES

Residents can stay up to date by subscribing to Council’s Emergency Dashboard. https://emergency.balonne.qld.gov.au/ for all the latest road conditions, weather warnings and power outages.

For more information listen to ABC local radio and visit Council’s Emergency Dashboard - https://emergency.balonne.qld.gov.au/ with links to www.bom.gov.au/qld and road closures visit https://qldtraffic.qld.gov.au/, or phone 13 19 40.

Power outages Ergon Energy - faults contact 131046. For flood assistance contact the State Emergency Service on 132500. Anyone seeking urgent medical assistance should dial 000.

We advise all residents and travellers to please stay safe and stay away from flood waters. Remember if its flooded, forget it. Please ensure your neighbours are aware of these possible flood impacts and look out for each other at this time.

For more information phone Council on (07) 4620 8888 - this includes after-hours service.

Councillor Samantha O’Toole
CHAIR - LOCAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT GROUP