Queensland Police are urging the community to be prepared, up to date and safe this storm season.
This comes as meteorologists forecast intense rainfall and potential flash flooding to impact many parts of Queensland, including the Burnett.
Police are urging the community against complacency amid these severe weather predictions and to stay up to date and informed with weather updates.
Sadly, this year severe weather and flooding has seen motorists, pedestrians and boaties unnecessarily lose their lives and police are again issuing a public plea to heed the warnings and advice of authorities and to re-think their need to travel during intense, heavy or persistent rainfall or severe weather events.
Intense rain, damaging winds and embedded severe thunderstorm activity can result in extremely hazardous conditions on roadways.
Trying to navigate these hazards, either in vehicles or on foot, can be treacherous, as water levels rise and fall quickly, and very often with little or no warning.
Members of the public are urged to avoid roads, creeks and bridges likely to be impacted by rapidly rising water, storm debris and flood damage.
Motorists are also reminded that road closures and road conditions can and do change rapidly, often within minutes.
Importantly, re-think your need to be on the roads as flash flooding can and does occur without warning, washing away roads, bridges and vehicles.
Motorists can easily, and unintentionally, find themselves swept away.
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 and remember: If It’s Flooded: Forget It and just Back it Up.
Parents are also reminded to ensure their children are not playing in flood prone waterways, watercourses and drains.
