Motorists in the Wide Bay Burnett are being urged to exercise extreme caution on the roads as heavy rain continues to fall.
Queensland Police Service would like to remind the public to be extremely cautious as localised flooding, heavy rainfall and hazardous surf is being experienced across the Wide Bay Burnett and North Coast areas.
During and immediately after severe weather events traversing roadways, either in vehicles or on foot, can be extremely hazardous as water levels can rise and fall quickly.
The public are urged to re-think their need to travel and stay off the roads if possible.
South Burnett crash
These warnings come as two vehicles crashed on Saturday morning on Redman’s Hill at Crawford.
Two patients are in a stable condition, while one is in a serious condition.
More details here: https://burnetttoday.com.au/news/2022/01/08/crawford-crash-three-in-hospital/
Burnett flooding
The North Burnett Regional Council are also urging residents to be careful as intense rainfall fell in the eastern areas of the North Burnett Region around Biggenden and towards the South Burnett area last night.
Throughout the night flood waters have risen and closed the following highways:
-D’Aguilar Highway is closed in both directions at Kilcoy (Kilcoy Creek is flooded)
– Isis Highway North of Biggenden
– Burnett Highway south of Ban Ban Springs
– Maryborough Biggenden Road at Degilbo Creek
– Flooding has been noted at Dallarnil and Degilbo Creek is at minor flood levels.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued major flood warnings for the Mary Rive and moderate warning for the Balonne River.
Initial minor flood warning has been issued for the Burrum River Catchment and initial moderate flood warning for the lower Burnett River and minor flood warning for Barambah Creek.
More details: http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings/flood/index.shtml – (as of 5:31am, Saturday, January 8)
Driving and playing in flood waters
If driving please travel with extreme caution and drive to the prevailing weather and road conditions – plan your trip, allow additional travel time, incorporating travelling at lower speeds, delays and diversions.
Members of the public are urged to avoid flooded roads, creeks and watercourses and motorists are also reminded that road closures and road conditions can change rapidly as creeks and water courses can rise and fall quickly.
If it’s flooded, forget it! https://www.qld.gov.au/about/newsroom/if-its-flooded-forget-it – floodwaters can change everything without warning.
Parents are also reminded to ensure their children are not playing in flood prone waterways, watercourses and drains as water levels can rise quickly.
Emergency Alerts
Emergency Alerts have been issued for Gympie (7.30am, Saturday, Jan 8) https://www.facebook.com/QldFireandEmergencyServices/posts/229803852665191 and Tiaro and Miva (11pm, Friday January 7) https://www.facebook.com/QldFireandEmergencyServices/posts/229566706022239
Stay up to date with the latest Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) warnings http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings/
Also monitor your local council and media for local updates.
Traffic and road closure information for State government roads can be found here https://qldtraffic.qld.gov.au/
