Maryborough flood could be as big as 2013 flood

Fraser Coast residents and businesses are being warned major flooding in Maryborough will be at least as big as the January floods and could rise as high as the 2013 flood of 10.7 metres in coming days.

Minor flooding is now occurring in Maryborough with moderate flooding expected this afternoon and the major flood level of 9m to be reached tonight.

Levels above the January flood are expected from tomorrow morning (Monday) and the flood could be as big as the 2013 flood with the peak now possible Monday night into Tuesday morning.

In other key developments:

• The road between Hervey Bay and Maryborough will be closed this afternoon as floodwaters rise and will stay closed for several days, although alternative access will be available via the Bruce Highway through Torbanlea.
• The Cooloola coast road is expected to be cut at Little Tinana Creek this afternoon.
• The flood levee in the Maryborough CBD has been installed. Access to the Maryborough CBD is progressively being restricted.
• All areas of Lenthalls Dam are now closed to the public until further notice, including the boat ramp, recreation area and campground.

Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said residents likely to be impacted by flooding should be doing or have done all the preparations to keep themselves and their family safe for the duration of the flood event.

“We still don’t know exactly how big this flood is going to be, but we know that it is going to be at least as big as the flood in January and potentially as high as the 2013 flood which reached 10.7m,” he said.

“If you were flooded in January or flooded in 2013, you should have made your preparations by now and be prepared for the water levels to remain high for a number of days.

“While the SES is regularly boating essential supplies such as bread and medication to Granville, residents there and in outlying areas need to ensure they manage their supplies as they could be cut off until Thursday or Friday.

“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.”

Cr Seymour said there were closures and warnings for about 80 local roads on Council’s Disaster Dashboard – https://disaster.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/ - with many more closures likely as the flooding gets worse.

“If you need to be on the roads, please be careful and please make sure you plan how you are going to get to where you need to go,” he said.

“There are many roads that are closed and many more will be closed, so please stay off the roads unless essential and avoid sight-seeing. Remember if its flooded forget it.”

Residents can:

Self-serve sandbagging stations are open in the Maryborough Bunnings car park, the Granville Hall and the Davies car park at 101 – 105 Bazaar Street.

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.

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