Flood waters travel to NSW

[Jim Goose]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2...12/3110963.htm

NSW river exceeds predicted peak

Updated 8 minutes ago


About 2,000 people on the New South Wales north coast remain on alert for possible evacuation, with the Clarence River rising faster than predicted.

The river has already reached the 7.3 metre peak which had been expected at 9:00pm (AEDT), and is now heading for a 7.6 metre peak.

A warning was issued to residents in the Ulmarra, Brushgrove and Cowper areas at 6:00am (AEDT).

Ulmarra publican, Edwina Baird, says plenty of people are lining the riverbanks to watch the water rush by.

"The river's rising fast, everyone's very calm," she said.

"There's a lot of detritus coming down the river from all the tributaries but it's moving fast.

"There's a bit of anticipation, not knowing what's going on because it's not actually raining here."

The State Member, Steve Cansdell, says the city of Grafton should be saved by its levee of 8.2 metres.

Further west, the SES says it is expecting a flood peak of 12.4 metres tomorrow at Boggabilla, near Goondiwindi on the Queensland border, making it one of the largest floods in the area's history.

Spokesman, Phil Campbell, says assessments are currently being done about when and where evacuations may be necessary from Boggabilla and nearby Tumelah.

He says all necessary precautions must be taken as the Macintyre River rises.

"The SES does have concerns that, at the height of 12.4 metres, significant amounts of water will enter the streets of the town flowing under and potentially through some houses," he said.

"We've also got concerns for the viability of the town's water and other essential services. As such, the decision is being made for a possible evacuation of those two communities."

The villages of Bonalbo, Ewingar, Upper Thora and Darkwood remained isolated by floodwaters overnight. Yamba and Iluka are also expected to become isolated today.

Meanwhile, the flood crisis in Tenterfield appears to have stabilised for the time being.

Yesterday, SES, police and council staff established an emergency operation centre at the Council Chambers as rising floodwaters cut the town in half, damaging roads and threatening the town's sewerage and water supplies.

Twenty people from rural properties in the area were moved to safety by helicopter.

The flood situation in the Bellinger Valley, on the mid-north coast, is also improving.

A flood watch remains in place for minor flooding of the Bellinger and Nambucca Rivers.

Travel warning

Motorists intending to use the Pacific or New England Highways to travel through northern New South Wales have been advised to cancel their trip.

Flooding has closed the Pacific highway from Halfway Creek in the south to Maclean in the north and the New England Highway is closed north of the Queensland border.

The RTA's David Wright says the Orara Way, which is the alternative route between Coffs and Grafton, is also closed in both directions.

"It looks like they're going to be closed for some days," he said.

"We had reports that one particular bridge around the Nana Glen area is actually eight metres underwater, so you can imagine that road is going to be unpassable for quite some time, at least until that water certainly subsides."

The Gwydir Highway remains closed between Grafton and Glen Innes, the Bruxner Highway remains closed between Casino and Tenterfield and the Summerland way has been closed overnight from Grevillia to the Queensland border.

In western NSW, the Kamilaroi Highway is closed between Bourke and Brewarrina.

Premier visits

The New South Wales Premier Kristina Keneally is making her second trip in seven days to the north of the state to inspect the worsening flood situation.

She intends to visit Grafton today, after travelling to inland Goodooga last week.

Ms Keneally says she wants to inspect the damage and ensure flood response efforts are adequate.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell is preparing to meet with mayors in the flood -affected regions of, Narromine, Bourke, Warren, Gillgandra and the Warrumbungle shires.

The flooding rains have added four areas to the Natural Disaster Declarations.

That makes a total of 63 Local Government Areas declared natural disaster areas since December.

The new declarations are for Inverell, Leeton, Gwydir and Clarence Valley.

For latest weather warnings visit the Bureau of Meteorology.

For further information visit the State Emergency Service and Roads and Traffic Authority websites.

[blueoval]

I hope all towns in the path of the flood waterways and rivers are fully prepared ahead of time.

[trippytaka]

Originally Posted by blueoval

I hope all towns in the path of the flood waterways and rivers are fully prepared ahead of time.

I second that.

Prayers are with everyone in the path of this monster.

[Corzza]

Inverell and Glen Innes to be hit in the coming days?

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by Corzza

Inverell and Glen Innes to be hit in the coming days?

If they are anywhere near rivers, then its probable. If you know people there, perhaps contact them and see what the latest is.

[XRGhia]

i just hope everyone can and does stay safe..

[Corzza]

4,500 isolated in the north of NSW

[NC1183]

The residents of Boggabilla and Toomela have been evacuated to Moree this afternoon.

Not real sure on the situation regarding Inverell and Glen Innis but will endeavor to find out for you guys and keep you updated

[grandpa_spec_F6]

G'day all,

I've finally managed to get on here now that I am at home (briefly) after 3 very long days of work.

This is nothing official, and in no way to I represent the Department of Community Safety, I'm just trying to help out.

After a friend of mine became stranded at Albion going to look at the flood waters, I must re-iterate this message.....

Keep AWAY from flood water, do NOT try and cross a moving body of water and DON'T try and be a hero, make preparation and get out while you can.

Brissy is tipped to peak at 4am this morning so now is the best time to get yourself ready.

In order to assist people with their flood enquiries, I've compiled a list of numbers and websites that could prove useful.

Links:

Very important links to many resources: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/f...-1225986161515

Extract from link above:

Contacts:
- Information about loved ones: Call 1300 993 191

International calls - +61 7 3055 6220

- State Emergency Service: 132 500

- Road closures: 131940.qld.gov.au

- Power outages: energex.com.au

- Lifeline crisis line: 13 11 14

- Disaster Recovery Hotline: 1800 173 349

- Public transport: www.translink.com.au or ring 13 12 30

- To register on the National Registration and Inquiry System, complete hand written forms at evacuation centres, or visit www.redcross.org.au or ring 1800727077


Local flood warnings: www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings

Queensland police: www.facebook.com/Queensland Police

Sandbag locations: www.brisbane.qld.gov.au

Flood preparation and emergency kits: www.disaster.qld.gov.au

Power supply: http://www.energex.com.au/network/as...erruptions.asp



Extra Links (some are duplicates, apologies):

SE QLD Weather Radar: http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR662.loop.shtml#skip

Flood Maps: http://www.facebook.com/QueenslandPolice#!/QueenslandPolice?v=app_10442206389

Rolling updates of flood coverage: http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news...-1225985436806

Translink (Public Transport) Warnings: http://www.translink.com.au/travel-i...ected-services

Queensland Police FaceBook Page (VERY Current Updates): http://www.facebook.com/QueenslandPo...eenslandPolice

QPSU Twitter: http://twitter.com/QPSmedia#

Brisbane River Flood Guide: http://brisfloodguide.indev.com.au/

Red Cross (to track down family members or volunteer assistance): www.redcross.org.au or ring 1800727077

Centrelink Payment issues: 1802266

St Vinnies: http://www.vinnies.org.au/qldfloodappeal

Traffic Cams: http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Traffic-ca...tel%20%28South

Traffic and Travel Information: http://highload.131940.qld.gov.au/

Brisbane City Council: http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/#maps


Please remember if you don't need travel stay off the roads, stay away from the flood waters and out of the way off emergency crews. Stay safe everyone.

Regards,

GSAU

P.S. As for the looters, the Mayor of Ipswich had a very good take on it, "If anyone is caught looting they will be used as depth indicators" or something to that effect.

This will also be posted in other flood threads to assist people.

[tankclare]

I have relos in Brushgrove who have been told to leave and are staying to fight the water. I have been talking to them and seeing pics. I hope they get through it ok.

[tankclare]

Just spoke to my cousin in brushgrove..their garage is 4 foot below the house and full of water and its coming in fast..they are getting their animals and stuff ready incase they need to leave real quick.

[Corzza]

To think I was only in Boggabilla and Goondiwindi a couple of months back and it was bone dry.

I really do hope they do not get trashed

[Jim Goose]

Originally Posted by Corzza

To think I was only in Boggabilla and Goondiwindi a couple of months back and it was bone dry.

I really do hope they do not get trashed

Doesnt look good

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2...14/3112595.htm

Goondiwindi on edge as flooded river nears peak

Updated 1 hour 25 minutes ago


Flood levees protecting the Queensland border town of Goondiwindi are being severely tested this morning as the Macintyre River peaks at less than 15 centimetres from the top of the levees.

The weather bureau upgraded the threat to Goondiwindi several hours ago, warning a record flood level higher than the forecast 10.85 metres is likely at the town of 6,000.

The water has been at 10.6 metres for several hours but it is rising slowly, with the bulk of the flood spilling towards New South Wales.


Weather bureau hydrologist Jess Carey says the river was due to peak between midnight and daybreak, but he says it may take much longer.

"The latest height at Goondiwindi was 10.6 metres and still continuing to rise slowly," he said.

"At this stage we are seeing very small rises and it's quite likely we could be watching this for at least another six to twelve hours."

The town's 11-metre levees have never been tested at the levels expected.

Evacuations started in Goondiwindi last night. The smaller New South Wales settlements of Boggabilla and Toomelah, which have a combined population of less than 1,000, began evacuating on Wednesday.

Goondiwindi Mayor Graeme Scheu says hardly anyone has been sleeping in the town overnight.

"If by some remote chance it did happen to trickle over [the levee], that's exactly what it would be - it would only be the trickle," he said.

"At that stage you would still have, we believe, a couple of hours at that particular time."

[Corzza]

Just had a look and your right it is not looking good