WATCH AND ACT NO.13

Monday 23 May 2022 - 4.30pm

This is a FLOOD WATCH and ACT from the Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) for the Balonne Shire. Our LDMG remains at STAND UP and will continue to monitor and/or respond, as required.

MOONIE RIVER – NINDIGULLY – THALLON

Conditions are now easing at Nindigully and Thallon. The Thallon Bridge was at 4.9m and is falling. The peak is now downstream of Thallon.
The temporary levee at Thallon has now been cleared. Carnarvon Highway has re-opened St George to Thallon allowing traffic access onto the Barwon Highway.

BALONNE RIVER – ST GEORGE

St George peaked at 8.5m with a discharge from Beardmore Dam up to 75,000ML/day which is now down to 65,000ML/day.
The second peak is due to arrive at Surat into Wednesday and further forecasts will then be provided for downstream to St George. This is not expected to be more than the first peak.

DIRRANBANDI – MAKE PREPARATIONS

Dirranbandi, was at moderate levels of 4.91m and rising. The river is likely to exceed major flood levels (4.9m) into this week. The bridge deck is 5.2m. Peak predictions provided by BOM is a peak between 5.0m and 5.1m.
Council is continuing to monitor the Castlereagh Highway at Police Lagoons which may close. Dirranbandi Bollon Road remains closed.

HEBEL

The Bokhara River at Hebel was at 1.32m today and is expected to continue at moderate levels (1.5m) into Thursday this week.
Castlereagh Highway – Dirranbandi to Hebel remains closed and likely to be impacted for a few weeks.

Bollon – Wallam/Mungallala Creek

Conditions are continuing to ease and will remain below the minor flood level of 0.5m.

MACINTYRE – WEIR – BARWON - Mungindi

Mungindi on the Barwon River was at 6.1m and falling however may increase back up to 6.7m with further inflows.

ROAD UPDATES

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 - Open
• Carnarvon Highway St George to Thallon – Re-opened giving access to Barwon Highway
• Carnarvon Highway - Thallon - Mungindi – Closed
• Carnarvon Highway heading to Surat – Open
• Castlereagh Highway – Noondoo – Dirranbandi –proceed with caution and may close as flood waters fill Police Lagoons
• Castlereagh Highway – Dirranbandi to Hebel - Closed
• Moonie Highway – Open
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

Waste services may be disrupted in Dirranbandi this Thursday. Landfills are available for disposal of household waste. Any residents needing assistance please contact Council on (07) 4620 8888.

Any properties or townships isolated for extended periods can request re-supply by contacting Council and we will co-ordinate through the LDMG and SES.
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