Wet Weekend Ahead
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If you had outdoor plans for this weekend, be prepared for them to be postponed in lieu of an indoor movie/board game type of weekend!
The forecast from the Bureau of Meteorology is looking rather bleak with showers and a possible thunderstorm forecast for the rest of the day, with falls from 40mm-90mm predicted. The forecast for Saturday and Sunday is similar, with falls between 15mm-50mm forecast for Saturday.
An incredibly moist air mass will combine with a coastal trough to produce areas of heavy rain across Southeast Queensland today and into Saturday morning, which we are currently experiencing.
All river and creek heights in the Moreton Bay region are below minor, at the time of writing.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued an initial flood watch, which provides early advice of possible flooding within the specified catchments:
Initial Flood Watch for coastal catchments from Maryborough to Caboolture
Flood Watch Number: 1
River level rises above the minor flood level are possible from Friday.
Moderate to heavy falls are possible across the Flood Watch area from Thursday evening and will continue during Friday and into Saturday.
Rainfall totals of 40-140 mm have been recorded in the Mary River catchment and Sunshine Coast rivers and creeks in the 24 hours to 9:00 am Thursday.
Further widespread rainfall totals of 50-100 mm are expected during Friday and into Saturday, with isolated totals of up to 150 mm possible.
River levels rises above the minor flood level are possible in the Flood Watch area from Friday.
Catchments likely to be affected include:
See www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings to view the current flood warnings for Queensland.
For more information on the Flood Watch Service: http://www.bom.gov.au/water/floods/floodWarningServices.shtml
Flood Safety Advice:
This Flood Watch means that people living or working along rivers and creeks should monitor the latest weather forecasts and warnings.
Remember: If it’s flooded, forget it.
For flood emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.
For life threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Current emergency information is available at www.qld.gov.au/alerts.
This advice is also available by dialling 1300 659 219 at a low call cost of 27.5 cents, more from mobile, public and satellite phones.
Warning, rainfall and river information are available at www.bom.gov.au/qld/flood/
The Queensland Police Service has also issued a timely warning:
With heavy rain falling across large parts of the state today, police are urging motorists to drive to conditions and heed the message: if it’s flooded, forget it.
A number of drivers were rescued after proceeding through flooded roads in the Wide Bay area yesterday.
As the rain moves further south, police are warning drivers particularly around the Sunshine Coast, Caboolture and Brisbane areas to slow down, turn their headlights on and increase their stopping distance.
Under severe storms or heavy rain bands, flash flooding can occur very quickly and without any notice – even on roads that you usually travel on without any issues.
Flash flooding can cause significant structural damage to roads, so even if you think it looks safe, you can never be sure exactly what is underneath the water.
No matter what car you drive, no matter what bike you ride, no matter what shoes you wear – if it’s flooded, forget it.
Seqwater have advised that low flow releases from Somerset Dam are planned in the next 48 hours. Wivenhoe lake level rise will be less than 0.5 metres over the 48 hour period. Somerset Dam is currently operating on a temporary full capacity of 80% due to the Somerset Dam Improvement Program which began in January 2016. Somerset is currently 77.3% full, while Wivenhoe is only 68.2% full.
It might be worthwhile heading to Spotlight North Lakes to stock up on some new board games and craft sets to prevent kids going stir-crazy!
