Flooding at Wooroolin
The SBRC is concerned that any further rain could cause more flooding because soils are already saturated; it wants residents to be prepared

February 28, 2013

The South Burnett Regional Council is asking residents to “be prepared” as it is says the region may receive more rain over coming days.

“This rainfall on top of what has already fallen may cause further flooding and damage to our region and there is a need to be prepared,” Mayor Wayne Kratzmann said today.

The Local Disaster Management Group has requested the community consider such things as fuelling vehicles, purchasing extra fuel for generators, checking supplies of personal items (including medication); keeping phones fully charged, and stocking up on enough food for 3-5 days, just to list a few examples.

“I would rather have our community prepared and no rainfall, than unprepared in an emergency situation,” Cr Kratzmann said.

Note: There are no current weather warnings for the South Burnett (2:00pm) and the latest Flood Warning indicates levels are easing. The Weather Bureau has forecast showers and rain across the region until Sunday.

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UPDATE 8:15pm:

The Gympie Disaster Management Committee was briefed today by BOM on the latest weather information:

Current Situation:

  • A surface trough in far south-western parts of Queensland is slowly moving east and will get to the Central West, Maraona and Warrego Forecast District by tonight
  • Maybe rainfalls of 30-55mm and 75mm in isolated areas and thunderstorms in Southern Channel Country, Maranoa & Warrego Forecast Districts, thunderstorms are also expected
  • Slow moving trough
  • Tropical low sitting of the coast of Caldwell, moving north
  • Lots of shower activity along east coast, mainly north of the Sunshine Coast and isolated thunderstorms
  • Mary River has peaked at 8m at Maryborough; it will remain steady at this height today and will reduce overnight
  • River heights are starting to ease in the Burnett catchment area

Further forecast:

  • Surface trough will stall in the Central Western district, Maranoa & Warrego and Darling Downs & Granite Belt Forecast Districts with moderate to heavy rainfalls of 40-50mm with isolated falls of 75-100mm
  • Gradual increase of rain
  • Scattered showers and thunderstorm activity around SE Coast District

Friday/Saturday

  • Low chance of the tropical low forming a cyclone. If it does it will move east away from coast.

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