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Maryborough flood to be bigger than last month’s flood

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Published
26th February 2022

Flood Update - 1.45pm 26/02/22

***Please note this information is accurate at the time of publishing and is subject to change in the future.***

Maryborough residents and businesses need to be prepared for a major flood at least as high as the January floods with the likelihood that it will be much higher.

With rain still falling further south and Gympie facing its largest flood in living memory, the Fraser Coast region will continue to experience a significant flow of water in coming days.

Minor flooding is now occurring in Maryborough with moderate flooding expected tomorrow morning and the major flood level of 9m to be reached by Sunday afternoon.

The Bureau of Meteorology advise it is still too early to know what the peak will be and when it will be reached as it will be determined once the Gympie flood peak is known.

Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said with confirmation the coming flood was likely to be even bigger than last month’s flood and water levels to remain very high for several days, residents should be making all their preparations today.

“Make no mistake – this is going to be a very big flood. If you were flooded in January, you will be flooded again and streets that went close to being flooded will likely flood this time,” he said.

“Take the steps you need to take now. Move property and possessions to higher ground and self-evacuate as necessary.

“Unlike the January floods, a vast area of south-east Queensland is being severely affected so be aware that emergency services are stretched thin.

“It’s important the community rallies together to help themselves and their neighbours. Please look after each other.

“Those who are self-evacuating are urged to shelter with family and friends where possible while an evacuation centre is now operating at the Madcota Community Hub (Maryborough Senior Citizens Hall) in Alice Street for those with nowhere else to go.

“This is an evolving situation that may last for several days to a week. I urge everyone to stay safe, get prepared and be careful out on the roads. Remember if it is flooded, forget it.”

In other developments:

  • Ergon has advised that power will be cut in the Maryborough CBD from 4pm today.
  • The intersection of Adelaide and Kent Street will be closed from 1pm, with police and traffic control to be in place.
  • Access to the Maryborough CBD will be progressively restricted over the next 24 hours. Business owners who need access to their premises will be let in when and where possible and pre-filled sandbags will be available for businesses.
  • Sand and sandbags are available for community self-filling at the Maryborough Bunnings car park Granville Hall. An additional filling point has been set up in the Harland carpark at 101 - 105 Bazaar Street (Davies carpark).
  • The Granville bridge closed at 3am on Saturday morning.
  • The Laminton bridge is closed.
  • An SES boat will be stationed at Brolga Theatre, and a waste truck has been stationed at Granville to continue regular kerbside pickup where possible. 
  • The Granville and Boonooroo waste facilities will be closed until further notice. The Maryborough Landfill is open at the moment but will be closed from Sunday 27/02/22. Tinana and Yengarie waste facilities will operate as normal. 
  • A medical centre will be set up at the Granville Hockey Club, and Queensland Ambulance and Fire and Rescue Service staff will be on standby. Please note this centre will be for emergencies only, not for issuing of regular medications.
  • Council has installed the interim flood gate solution that forms part of Maryborough’s CBD flood protection system.
  • Work to install the flood levee in the Maryborough CBD began at 8am today.
  • An evacuation centre is established at the Maryborough Senior Citizens Hall at 333 Alice Street near Station Square.
  • Closures and warnings are in place for more than 72 roads across the Fraser Coast, with many more to close over the next 24 to 48 hours due to flooding. Please stay off the road unless essential and make sure you plan how you are going to get where you need to go. Roads, bridges and highways are cut all over south-east Queensland. AVOID SIGHTSEEING. Never drive, swim or play in floodwaters.

Residents can

Visit https://qldtraffic.qld.gov.au/ and https://roadconditions.racq.com.au/ for road information.

Visit Council’s Disaster Dashboard – https://disaster.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/ - for your one stop shop of emergency information, including weather warnings, power outages, flood cameras, river heights, flood maps and more.

Listen to weather warnings provided on ABC Radio and through the Bureau of Meteorology website.

For flood assistance, please contact the State Emergency Service on 132 500. For all life-threatening emergencies please call 000.

If the current weather event is causing any distress or anxiety, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 to speak to someone.