WATCH AND ACT NO.7

Tuesday 17 May 2022 - 5.00pm

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.

MOONIE RIVER

At 5.00pm Tuesday 17 May 2022 – BOM advised there is Major flooding occurring at Warrie Station and moderate flooding downstream from Flinton. The Moonie River at Nindigully was at 3.70 metres and rising. The Moonie River at Nindigully may peak near a 3.90m, the level of the Old Moonie River Bridge, overnight Tuesday into Wednesday. The Moonie River at Thallon Bridge was at 4.38 metres (minor flooding) and steady at 7:00am this morning. The Moonie River at Thallon Bridge is expected to continue rising slowly and likely exceed the moderate flood level (4.50 m) later on Tuesday and into Wednesday, with further rises expected during Wednesday as upstream floodwaters arrive. The Moonie River flood height at the Thallon Bridge, BOM estimates to reach 5.1m, in the coming days. This is similar to the March 2022 event.
The Thallon levee has been closed as a precaution. Council crews are available if response is required.
Carnarvon Highway is closed Nindigully to Mungindi. The Moonie Highway at Claude Bowhay Bridge and Loudoun Bridge remains closed to all traffic.

CONDAMINE - BALONNE RIVER SYSTEM

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) advised at 11.58am Tuesday 17 May 2022 that the Balonne River at Surat was at 10.62m and rising slowly, with major flooding. The Balonne River at Surat is likely to peak near 10.70 metres late Tuesday afternoon or early evening, and below the level of the Balonne River bridge (11.0 metres). This forecast peak is higher than the April 2022 flood of 10.32 metres.The Balonne River at Warroo was 7.43m and rising slowly, below the minor flood level (m). The Balonne River at Warroo is expected to reach the minor flood level (9.00 m) into Wednesday evening.

BALONNE RIVER – downstream of Beardmore Dam

Sunwater advises that Beardmore Dam is currently discharging 30,000ML/day from and the same from Jack Taylor Weir.

HEBEL - Bokhara River

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

BOLLON - Wallam/Mungallala Creek

At 2.44pm Wallam Creek, Bollon was rising and at a height of 0.50m. This is 0.20m above the causeway.
The St George - Bollon – Cunnamulla section of the Balonne Highway remains opened with caution.

MUNGINDI - Macintyre - Weir - Barwon

Mungindi on the Barwon at 8.00am this morning was at 6.93m and steady.
Council crews are in place if a response is required on the levee.
Mungindi – St George on Carnarvon Highway is now closed.

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 St George - Bollon - Cunnamulla proceed with caution 0.20m over causeway between Bollon and St George
• Carnarvon Highway heading to Nindigully - Thallon - Mungindi –Closed
• Carnarvon Highway heading to Surat – proceed with caution – Road may close at short notice at Surat Bridge
• Castlereagh Highway – Dirranbandi to Hebel - Closed
• 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.

For more information phone Council on (07) 4620 8888 - this includes after-hours service. Remember if its flooded, forget it. 

Councillor Samantha O’Toole
CHAIR - LOCAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT GROUP