LOCAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT GROUP UPDATE

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Published
8th February 2024

Re: ADVICE NO. 10
Date: 3pm 8 February 2024

This is an update from the Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) for the Balonne Shire.  Travellers and residents are asked to prepare now, stay informed and monitor conditions and where possible avoid travelling into areas that will be most affected.

The main flood peak along the Moonie River has passed Thallon Bridge and the Moonie River at Thallon Bridge has dropped below the major flood level. Upstream of Thallon Bridge, flooding is continuing to ease.

In the 24 hours to 10:00 am Thursday, no significant rainfall was observed across the catchment. Showers and thunderstorms are possible over the next few days, but rainfall totals are not expected to significantly affect river levels.

Vector spraying will be undertaken in flood impacted areas throughout the Shire from the 9th to 15th February and residents should check the Council’s Facebook for further details. 

BALONNE RIVER
The Balonne River at Warkon peaked at 9.61 metres around 06:25 am Wednesday 7 February and is currently at 9.19 metres and falling. The Balonne River at Warkon is likely to fall below the major flood level (9.00 m) during Thursday.

The main flood peak along the Balonne River is now approaching Surat, where moderate flooding is occurring. No recent observations are available for the Surat manual gauge. Based on the nearby automatic gauge, the river is estimated to be above the moderate flood level (6.80 metres) and rising. The Balonne River at Surat may peak near 8.80 metres from Friday, with moderate flooding.
River level rises are expected along the Balonne River downstream of Surat to Beardmore Dam. Moderate flooding is occurring at Weribone.

The Balonne River at Warroo is below the minor flood level (9.00 metres) at 6.08 metres and rising slowly. River level rises are expected but the Balonne River at Warroo is likely to remain below the minor flood level through to early next week.
At this stage, predictions are that Beardmore Dam will reach capacity and begin to spill on Friday. 

FLINTON
The Moonie River at Flinton dropped below the minor flood level (3.00 metres) on Thursday morning and is currently at 2.82 metres and falling slowly.

NINDIGULLY
The Moonie River at Nindigully is currently at 3.50 metres and steady, with moderate flooding. The Moonie River at Nindigully is likely to fall below the moderate flood level (3.00 metres) during the weekend.

THALLON
The Moonie River at Thallon Bridge peaked at 5.03 metres on Tuesday evening, it dropped below major (5.0 metres) on Wednesday evening and is currently at 4.99 metres and falling very slowly. The Moonie River at Thallon Bridge is likely to fall very slowly during Thursday and Friday and remain above the moderate flood level (4.50 metres) into the weekend.
Council has closed the levee bank in Thallon, which increases flood level protection to a height of 6.3 metres.
Local crews in Thallon will be coordinating rubbish collection whilst Thallon is isolated. 

ROADS UPDATE
Moonie Highway – Queensland Transport and Main Roads has inspected the Claude Bowhay Bridge and has now reopened the Moonie Highway to traffic to proceed with caution. 
Carnarvon Highway - The Carnarvon Highway is currently closed at both Thallon and Nindigully. Council is liaising closely with Transport & Main Roads to ensure that once flood waters recede from Bradley’s Gully the crossing can be inspected and reopened as soon as possible.
Local Roads that are currently impacted by flooding include:
-    Teelba Road - Closed
-    Warrie Road - Closed
-    Honeymah Lane - Closed
-    Gunnindaddy Road - Closed
-    Kooroon Road – Closed
-    Ballangarry Road - Closed
-    Dalkieth Road – Closed
-    Littleton Road - Closed
-    Chelmer Road – Closed
-    Noondoo Thallon Road – Closed
-    Noondoo Mungindi Road – Closed
-    Dareel Road - Closed
-    Dingadee Road - Closed
-    Bollon Dirranbandi Road – Restricted to 5 tonne GVM

Remember road conditions can change without notice.

GENERAL UPDATES
Residents can stay up to date by subscribing to the Emergency Dashboard. https://emergency.balonne.qld.gov.au/ for all the latest weather and road conditions. The dashboard includes links to www.bom.gov.au/qld and https://qldtraffic.qld.gov.au/.  Check Live Traffic NSW https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/live-traffic-nsw for road conditions into NSW. 

In an emergency dial 000 or SES on 132500.  For more information phone Council on (07) 4620 8888 - this includes after-hours service.