Thousands Isolated as Burnett River Floods Bundaberg, Evoking Past Disasters
Thousands of residents in the regional Queensland hub of Bundaberg could be isolated for several days after the Burnett River burst its banks, triggering memories of the devastating floods in 2010 and 2013. More than 400 homes and businesses are under threat, with the river forecast to peak on Wednesday around 7.6 metres, slightly below the catastrophic 7.9-metre levels seen 16 years earlier.
River Peaking Slightly Lower Than Forecast
Senior meteorologist Jonathan How reported that the river is beginning to peak this morning, holding steady at 7.4 metres, which is just under the original prediction of 7.6 metres. "It does look like it is peaking this morning. We have seen some peaks further upstream and it looks like the river is remaining steady at 7.4m," he told 7NEWS.com.au. "That is slightly below the original forecast of 7.6m, which is good news." However, he cautioned that the exact level might fluctuate slightly throughout the morning.
Evacuations and Bridge Closures Underway
Late on Tuesday, locals were urged to evacuate immediately before the community's two major bridges, the Tallon and Burnett Bridges, were shut down. This has left approximately 10,000 people potentially isolated for a number of days. Heavy rainfall has been battering the region since Friday morning, prompting the Bundaberg Regional Council to warn residents that the bridges would close once the Burnett River reached 7 metres.
Mental Health and Safety Concerns Highlighted
Bundaberg Mayor Helen Blackburn acknowledged the mental health impacts on individuals who experienced previous floods and implored them to prioritise personal safety. "We're not new to this, we've done it before," she said. "We can replace possessions. We can't replace people." In preparation, water rescue crews and additional emergency services, including over 30 police officers, have been deployed to the Bundaberg region.
Floodwaters Expected to Linger
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the floodwaters could take days to subside. How explained that the river is expected to remain above major flood marks through today and might only return to moderate levels by the end of the week. "It will take some time, we don't have an indication at this stage of when the Burnett River will go back to moderate and then minor, but we do know that there is another peak upstream," he said. The sheer volume of water from days of intense rainfall is contributing to the prolonged flooding, with levels likely to stay high into the weekend.
Evacuation Centres and Statewide Impact
Evacuation centres were opened on Tuesday, with the local council encouraging residents in need of support to reach out. The flooding has affected large parts of Queensland, with nearly 800 roads cut off by floodwaters after a tropical low caused widespread destruction, claiming about 1,000 livestock. How noted that there are currently 15 major flood warnings across the state, particularly in central and southeastern areas, including rising rivers near Chinchilla.
Northern Territory Also Grappling with Floods
Flooding has extended to the Northern Territory, where more rain has stalled clean-up efforts in Katherine. Hundreds of people remain in shelters, houses are without power, and crocodiles have been spotted in floodwaters. Over the weekend, hundreds of residents from communities like Daly River, Palumpa, Beswick, and Jilkminggan were airlifted, mostly to Darwin. In Darwin, residents have been asked to minimise water use after flooding shut down a pump station at the Darwin River Dam, with temporary generators installed and reduced water pressure expected on Wednesday.
Ongoing Weather Warnings
Flood watches remain in place across much of the Northern Territory, especially on the Top End's northwest coast, including Darwin. Bureau of Meteorology's Shenage Gamble warned on Tuesday that waterways in this area are highly responsive to heavy rainfall, which could lead to localised and flash-flooding. Meanwhile, Bundaberg is expected to stay dry on Wednesday and Thursday, with only light showers possible on Friday and Saturday, nothing compared to the recent deluge.
