WATCH AND ACT NO.8

Wednesday 18 May 2022 - 12.00pm

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 9.41am 18 May 2022 – BOM advised there is Major flooding possible at Nindigully into this evening. Moderate flooding likely at Thallon Bridge today and may reach 4.9m by Thursday afternoon. The Moonie River at Nindigully was at 3.85 metres and rising, with moderate flooding. The Moonie River at Nindigully may exceed the major flood level (4.00 m) and the Old Moonie River Bridge Wednesday evening.
The Moonie River at Thallon Bridge was at 4.46 metres (minor flooding) and steady at 7:00am Tuesday morning. The Moonie River at Thallon Bridge will exceed the moderate flood level (4.50 m) Wednesday morning. The river level may reach around 4.90 metres Thursday afternoon, with further rises possible. Predictions will be revised once upstream peaks have been observed.
The Thallon levee remains closed as a precaution. Council crews are available if response is required.
Carnarvon Highway remains closed Nindigully to Mungindi. The Moonie Highway at Claude Bowhay Bridge and Loudoun Bridge remains closed pending Queensland Transport & Main Roads inspection.

CONDAMINE - BALONNE RIVER SYSTEM

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) advised at 11.02am 18 May 2022 The Balonne River at Warkon is currently at 10.48 metres and falling, with major flooding. The Balonne River at Warkon is expected to ease slowly over the next few days but will remain above the major flood level (9.00 m).
The Balonne River at Surat is currently at 10.75 metres and steady around a majorflood peak, higher than the recent April 2022 flood peak of 10.32 metres. The river level is expected to begin easing slowly during Wednesday but will remain above the major flood level (9.00 m) over the next few days. The Balonne River at Warroo is currently at 8.39 metres (below minor) and rising slowly. The Balonne River at Warroo is likely to reach the minor flood level (9.00 m) Wednesday evening. The river level may reach the moderate flood level (10.50 m) overnight Thursday into Friday, with higher levels expected as upstream floodwater continues to arrive.
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.

Balonne River – Dirranbandi

The Balonne River Minor at Dirranbandi is expected to be below the minor flood level (4.00 m) and rising slowly on Wednesday morning. The Balonne River Minor at Dirranbandi may reach the minor flood level (4.00 m) Thursday morning, with higher levels expected as upstream floodwater continues to arrive.
Residents should consider making preparations for possible road closures and isolation as flood waters continue to proceed down the Balonne River from the upper catchments.

Bokhara River – Hebel

The Bokhara River at Hebel was at 1.13 metres. Further slow river level rises are expected along the Bokhara River at Hebel as upstream floodwater continues to arrive and the river level is expected to remain above the minor flood level (1.00 m) over the next few days..

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.

MACINTYRE – WEIR – BARWON - Mungindi

Mungindi on the Barwon at 8.00am this morning was at 7.05m 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 – Noondoo – Dirranbandi – water over road – proceed with caution
• 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