Bundaberg Regional Council has released a Watch and Act – Prepare Now directive for riverine flooding for residents, visitors and businesses in the vicinity of the Burnett River, Bundaberg.
Council advises people in the following area(s) to PREPARE NOW for a major flood level of about 7.5m on the Burnett River which will cause property inundation and isolation:
Bundaberg North, Bundaberg East, Bundaberg South, Bundaberg Central, Branyan and Avoca.
The Bureau of Meteorology advises major flooding will be occurring at Bundaberg expected to reach 7m by 3pm Tuesday, 10 March, continuing to rise to 7.5m around 3am Wednesday 11 March, similar to levels experienced in December 2010. When the Burnett River reached 7m the Tallon and Burnett Bridges will be closed.
The Burnett River at Walla is currently at 18.56 m and rising, with major flooding. Further rises are possible as upstream flows arrive.
Be advised that:
The Bundaberg Recreational Precinct, located at 7 Kendalls Rd, Branyan (access Via Kendalls Rd), has been established as a place of refuge.
Bridges and low lying roads may be impacted by floodwater. The Tallon and Burnett Bridges will close when the Burnett River reaches 7m, which is expected to be 3pm.
Transportation may be out of service.
Safe evacuation routes are likely to be cut off. Residents should monitor Paradise Dam and Walla river gauge levels and use Council’s flood gauge mapping, accessed on the Disaster Dashboard to assess their individual flood risk.
You will become isolated until flood waters recede.
What you need to do:
If you find it hard to move quickly leaving early is safer than waiting. Call your support service, a family member, or a friend to help.
If it’s flooded, forget it. Stay out of flood water.
Decide if you, and the people you live with, will leave if floodwaters get close to your house.
If you have children make sure they are with you or an adult you trust.
Be prepared to have no power. Charge mobile phones and other electronic devices now.
Get and fill sandbags and block doors to stop water getting inside. You can get sandbags from Bundaberg SES Facility, 7 Kendalls Rd, Branyan.
Use sandbags to block toilets, sinks and drains to stop sewerage backflow.
Warn family, friends, and neighbours in the area. Help others if you can.
If you decide to leave early:
Lift important things onto bed, tables, shelves or upstairs to protect them.
Lift waste containers, chemicals, and poisons up high.
Pack enough clothes, food, water, medicine, baby items (like nappies, formula) and pet food for several days. Plan not to have a fridge or microwave.
Take your pets, mobile phone charger, battery-powered radio, torch, and valuables like photos, cash, and important documents (like identification, insurance, or banking records).
Lock windows and doors.
Go to a safe place, away from flooding. This could be with family or a friend.
If you come to a flooded road, turn around and go another way. Do not drive through floodwater.
If you find it hard to move quickly or have special or medical needs:
Use your Person-Centred Emergency Plan (P-CEP) now if you have one.
Make sure you have enough medicine for at least one week.
If anyone in your house uses powered medical equipment, like a dialysis machine or ventilator, decide now where you will go in case you lose power.
Call your support person or service to organise transport if you need to leave.
Leaving early is safer than waiting.
If you are a tourist, visitor, camper or caravanner:
Campers and caravanners should start packing up now.
If you do not need to be in the warning area, leave now. Check road conditions and plan your route before you leave.
Be ready to move if the situation gets worse.
Ask the campground owners whether the site floods.
Check your surroundings of water catchments, and monitor conditions.
For non-life-threatening flood and storm emergency assistance, contact SES on 132500, 132500.qld.gov.au, or the SES Assistance Qld app on Android or iOS. In a life-threatening situation, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
For more information:
Follow our local council disaster dashboard here https://disaster.bundaberg.qld.gov.au/.
Listen to your local radio 100.1 ABC Wide Bay https://www.abc.net.au/widebay
For power outage information go to ergon.com.au/network
Check the latest weather, warnings, rainfall, and river heights at the Bureau of Meteorology Queensland website.
Check road closures at the QLD Traffic website or for phone service call 13 19 40.
Check disruptions to public transport at the Translink website.
