WATCH AND ACT NO.14

Wednesday 25 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.

DIRRANBANDI

Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) advised at 12.40pm 25/5/2022 that the Balonne River Minor at Dirranbandi was at 5.04 metres and approaching a peak, with major flooding. The Balonne River Minor at Dirranbandi is likely to reach an extended major flood peak near 5.10 metres from this afternoon and remain around this level during Thursday.

The Castlereagh Highway at Police Lagoons has closed for the night due to safety concerns. The Queensland Transport & Main Roads are concerned that there is a deep section on one side of the Highway that would be dangerous to motorists in the dark. The Council and TMR will reassess in the morning.

Dirranbandi Bollon Road remains closed.

HEBEL

The Bokhara River at Hebel was at 1.45m today and is likely to reach the moderate flood level (1.50 m) this afternoon, with higher levels and major flooding possible from early next week as upstream floodwaters continue to arrive.
Castlereagh Highway – Dirranbandi to Hebel remains closed. Unfortunately, until waters recede this section of the Highway cannot be inspected or assessed by Queensland Transport & Main Roads.

ST GEORGE

Conditions at St George are easing however it is expected to remain above the minor flood level of 6m with renewed rises likely from Friday as upstream floodwaters arrive.

NINDIGULLY – THALLON

BOM advised at 3.08pm 25/5/2022 that minor flooding was continuing to ease at Nindigully and Thallon. The Thallon Bridge was at 4.47m and falling. Carnarvon Highway has re-opened St George to Thallon allowing traffic access onto the Barwon Highway. Carnarvon Highway is still closed Thallon to Mungindi.

BOLLON

No further warnings issued from BOM.

MUNGINDI

Mungindi on the Barwon River was at 5.99m River levels are expected to remain elevated for the next several days along the lower Weir River as floodwaters move downstream to Mungindi.

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 - Thallon - Mungindi – Closed
• Carnarvon Highway St George to Thallon – Open
• Carnarvon Highway heading to Surat – Open
• Castlereagh Highway – Noondoo – Dirranbandi – Closed at 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 are likely to be disrupted in Dirranbandi tomorrow if the Castlereagh Highway does not re-open. Landfills are available for disposal of household waste. Any residents needing assistance please contact Council on (07) 46208888.

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