Brisbane CBD ordered to evacuate?

[Scott]

Hey All,

Call me an "end of the worlder" but given the sprinkles we have had, the waters on the way and the drizzle we can expect - ARE YOU PREPARED?

Like I said, call me an "end of worlder" but I have prepped my place for some reasonably possible eventualities.

I've stocked up on water - should our drinking water become contaimnated (ie, sewerage treatment plants flood and make their way into our catchment areas);
Stocked up on Milk & Bread;
Stocked up on Ice - if the power goes down for a reasonable period it'll be nice to keep the meat & dairy cold;
Stocked up on batteries - for the torches & radio;
Dug out my battery powered radio and checked it works;
Pulled torches & candles out in an easy to get to place;
Checked the drains and made sure water can escape;
Filled the cars with juice;
I also happen to have (through luck, not planning) a trailer full of dry sand, rolls of black plastic and a small stockpile of sandbags;

I'm hope I won't need any of it.... but better to be prepared ay? A good Scout was I

I've lived through floods before (remember Nyngan?) and the one thing you know will happen, is anything.

Fortunately for me I live on top of a hill, but that doesn't stop torrents of water flowing through my block and against the house. My thoughts are with those that are not quite so fortunate.

Take the opportunity, go down and grab some essentials and most of all - BE SAFE!!

Add your own preparations or ideas as you see fit.

[brismike]

Thankls Scott .. Some good advice there mate!

[Falcon Coupe]

Threads merged, that leaves three current on the Qld floods.
We don't need any more please.

[Jim Goose]

Brisbane River has broken its banks in town.... the CBD is being evacuted right now according to news....

[Jim Goose]

Raging floods bear down on Brisbane

Updated 12 minutes ago
A view of the Brisbane River overflowing from the inner-city suburb of West End.

The Brisbane River has broken its banks in West End. (User submitted: Jeff Polley)


The Brisbane River has broken its banks amid dire predictions of the biggest floods to hit Queensland's capital since 1974.

The weather bureau says the river is expected to reach major flood levels tomorrow afternoon and rise further on Thursday.

Water is also rising quickly in the Bremer River at Ipswich, west of Brisbane, where it is expected to peak close to 19 metres.

Police are preparing residents and business owners in the inner-city suburb of West End for the possibility of evacuations later today.

The Brisbane City Council says more than 200 homes and businesses along the river are at risk, most at Rocklea, Albion, Milton and Auchenflower.

Police are advising all residents in low-lying parts of Strathpine and Dayboro to the north of Brisbane to evacuate to higher ground immediately.

Caboolture is isolated so evacuation out of town by car is impossible. Police are saying that people in low-lying areas who can should move to higher ground or prepare for rising water.

* Suburbs at risk
* Current weather warnings
* Send us your flood photos
* Road closures
* In an emergency call the SES on 132 500
* Donate to the national flood appeal

The threat to Brisbane comes after an inland tsunami swept through Toowoomba and the Lockyer Valley yesterday, leaving eight people dead and more than 70 missing.

That wave of brown water is now making its way towards the Brisbane River and catchment areas, where the capital's defence of Wivenhoe Dam is struggling to hold back the deluge.

Officials have had to increase the amount of water being released from Wivenhoe because of major inflows coming from the Lockyer and Brisbane valleys.

The river has broken its banks in parts of West End and water is reportedly slowly creeping onto roads in low-lying areas there.

Buildings in Fortitude Valley and businesses at Eagle Street Pier in the city are also being evacuated.

The potentially looming disaster in the city is being made worse by cut and congested mobile phone lines, making communication difficult. Vodafone customers have been without reception for most of the morning.

People have been asked to stay off telephones unless absolutely necessary to avoid congesting lines for emergency services.

Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale says water levels are rising quickly in the Bremer River.

"Our latest prediction is now that we've got the suburbs of Woodend and West Ipswich, One Mile, Redbank Plains, Churchill, North Booval, Booval, Bundamba, Karalee, Muirlea and Brassall... they're all under threat," he said.

"We're setting up emergency centres at the showground and other places at Goodna and Rosewood."

There also delays to public transport services in the Ipswich area because of rising floodwaters.

Staying dry

Jodie Craig, who owns the Joynt Hotel on Montague Road in West End, is trying to move belongings to the upper floors of the hotel.

"Up until last night I was freaking out a bit and then this morning I've just been watching the news and I guess I should start doing something," she said.

"I'm going to take all my electrical equipment and stuff that's worth a lot of money upstairs and hopefully it'll be safe up there."

Ms Craig says the ground floor of the hotel was completely submerged in the 1974 floods and she hopes the Wivenhoe Dam is enough to hold back the water this time.

She says she has been without phone reception for several hours and is unsure if police are wanting people to evacuate.

"The road's pretty busy. It's not like there's anyone in uniform telling us to leave," she said.

"I'm really clueless as to what's going on. People are just telling me West End's been told to evacuate. I really don't know. I'll just get my stuff up."

No insurance

Being so close to the river means Ms Craig is unable to get flood insurance.

"That's why I wanted to get all the stuff that's the most important to me," she said.

"I mean I'm not going to worry about furniture and things like that, there's not really much I can do."

Police say they have not ordered any evacuations of West End residents or businesses yet but with a high tide expected in just over two hours and a large volume of water still moving down the Brisbane River, that situation could change.

Police have stationed several officers along Riverside Drive between Orleigh Park and the Go Between Bridge at West End.

They are now turning back traffic trying to access Riverside Drive after the decision was made earlier today to close the road.

Translink says bus services have been suspended in the Caboolture, Redcliffe and Burpengary areas because of flooding.

Train services through to the Sunshine Coast are still running.

A telephone hotline - 1300 993 191 - has been set up for people seeking information on friends and relatives caught up in the flooding disaster.


http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2...11/3110450.htm

[nstg8a]

just went for quick ride on my bike to see what happening round here, in the space of about 20 minutes the creek down the road looks like its come up at least a metre, unreal

[Paxton]

Just heard on Sky that the Brisbane Airport has/is about to go under. Most of the building surrounding the airport have been evacuated.

This just keeps getting worse.

[max]

Originally Posted by Paxton

Just heard on Sky that the Brisbane Airport has/is about to go under. Most of the building surrounding the airport have been evacuated.

This just keeps getting worse.

Any update on this? If BNE airport goes under, Coolangatta will be the only nearby strip available I suppose? If so, it will be a very congested facility!

[Paxton]

Originally Posted by max

Any update on this? If BNE airport goes under, Coolangatta will be the only nearby strip available I suppose? If so, it will be a very congested facility!

Nope. Neither on Sky or 612 ABC Brisbane.

[mrfordfairmont]

Originally Posted by max

Any update on this? If BNE airport goes under, Coolangatta will be the only nearby strip available I suppose? If so, it will be a very congested facility!

coolengatta went under about 2pm brisbane is still open as far as i know

[kocho]

Incredible how fast the waters rise. Hope all everyone including AFFers are OK!

[blueoval]

geez this is a nightmare. My prayers are with you guys.

Is there any news of the floods traveling towards Beenleigh etc?

[Road Games]

Originally Posted by blueoval

geez this is a nightmare. My prayers are with you guys.

Is there any news of the floods traveling towards Beenleigh etc?

Not so far mate it depends on the logan river .. i cannot believe we are on a flood plain and the recent pipe work has been our saviour....

The real hassle here now is the roads becoming gridlocked ...

[Scott]

Just shot down to the bottle'o - back up bundy = covered.

[GT0132]

This is crazy

To the Queensland AFR members ...Keep safe the best way you can..Our thoughts are with you all at this difficult time

[nstg8a]

waters reached the footpaths on eagle st.

[Peuty]

Just FYI to those that need to know - Brisbane CBD is NOT being evacd. This has come from the QPS. Also, public transport in the city is NOT closing down at 2pm either, please see local guides for more information.

[nstg8a]

yeah all evac's to now have been voluntary. only a matter of time though imo

[DBourne]

This is just surreal.. I'm honestly gobsmacked.

I just wish there was something I could do to help (apart from donate which I've done)

[FTE72]

I anyone around Beenleigh/Logan area needs somewhere to store their car, PM me, I have a Factory at Yatala with lots of carpark space that will not have a flood issue.

[TC200six]

Can't go onto Facebook without seeing friends freaking out thinking it's doomsday in their status updates. It's annoying.

Where I life it's okay, but I heard that even the small town of Forest Hill has rescue helicopters lifting people away. I'm familiar with that area and that just reminds me how bad it really is. When the flood finally eases off, I'll hopefully head out there to investigate the damage.

[prydey]

subscribing to thread. my folks live in brissie (although not in a 'risk' area). my g'pa has a beef cattle farm in lockyer valley though and is currently isolated. 91yrs old, no one can get in or out. no power etc.

feel a little helpless down south in adelaide. amazing footage coming through. stay safe everyone.

[AndrewR_AUII]

This is one of those days that you will remember where you were, in the same way as the first shuttle explosion, Lady Di's death etc.

To all those in Queensland, be safe. If water threatens, get out early.

[Jim Goose]

Premier has announced that the floods in Brisbane and Ipswich are to surpass the 1974 floods....

[Road Games]

Originally Posted by Jim Goose

Premier has announced that the floods in Brisbane and Ipswich are to surpass the 1974 floods....

Yep why is the Mayor acting so guarded about everything he says?

4.2m in 74 now predicting 7.5m thurs with fri and king tides still to come... + with the overflow from the dams and Heavy Rain is still forecast for the rest of the week as well ....

I understand not wanting people to panic but seriously guys you are gonna need to be prepared for this one !

[Jim Goose]

Originally Posted by DAZZLER351

Yep why is the Mayor acting so guarded about everything he says?

4.2m in 74 now predicting 7.5m thurs with fri and king tides still to come... + with the overflow from the dams and Heavy Rain is still forecast for the rest of the week as well ....

I understand not wanting people to panic but seriously guys you are gonna need to be prepared for this one !

I think he is worried about causeing panic maybe? I recall a few months back where he warned people about the river breaking its banks and it never happened, so he copped heaps of flak apparently for it???

For all the south east residents, dont stuff around, if your in a low area, move now before its too late, check up on ya mates, make sure your old neighbours who live on their own are ok and get them outta there now.

Please take care and good to see the members on here offering help and place to stay....

[KYSBF]

[QUOTE=Jim Goose]I think he is worried about causeing panic maybe? I recall a few months back where he warned people about the river breaking its banks and it never happened, so he copped heaps of flak apparently for it???

QUOTE]

I seem to recall this also......buggered if he does, buggered if he doesn't.

['63Deluxe]

Originally Posted by DAZZLER351

Yep why is the Mayor acting so guarded about everything he says?

4.2m in 74 now predicting 7.5m thurs with fri and king tides still to come... + with the overflow from the dams and Heavy Rain is still forecast for the rest of the week as well ....

I understand not wanting people to panic but seriously guys you are gonna need to be prepared for this one !

Where is this 7.5m peak going to occur and where did you get the data from?
Useless info without stating these facts.
As you said - don't want people to panic

[Road Games]

Originally Posted by '63Deluxe

Where is this 7.5m peak going to occur and where did you get the data from?Useless info without stating these facts.
As you said - don't want people to panic

I had it relayed to me by phone .. wanna place a bet on how high it gets ??

They havn't even mentioned the King Tides yet !!

Furthermore if the facts/truth isnt made available sooner then people may die relocating when it is all too late....prevention is better than cure MR '63 Deluxe

[galaxy xr8]

Originally Posted by DAZZLER351

I had it relayed to me by phone .. wanna place a bet on how high it gets ??

They havn't even mentioned the King Tides yet !!

Furthermore if the facts/truth isnt made available sooner then people may die relocating when it is all too late....prevention is better than cure MR '63 Deluxe

Come on guy's now isn't the time or place to be starting sarcastic comment's against each other, we all feel bad for what is unfolding but let's keep it..