Flood information - links

[ozbob]

Minister for Energy and Water Supply
The Honourable Mark McArdle

Potential new dams to protect Brisbane and Ipswich

The Queensland Government will consider building two new dams and raising Wivenhoe Dam to better protect Brisbane and Ipswich families from major flood events.

Water Supply Minister Mark McArdle today released the results of a wide-ranging prefeasibility study looking at potential options to improve the flood defences of the two cities.

"South-east Queensland will experience major flood events in the future and while we can never flood-proof Brisbane or Ipswich, the Newman LNP Government is committed to doing everything possible to better protect lives, homes and businesses," Mr McArdle said.

"The Newman LNP Government's 30 year plan for the water sector – WaterQ – recognises the challenges we face from climate variability and natural disasters, such as floods.

"The prefeasibility study we are releasing today is the first step in understanding how new dams could help us tackle these challenges and better protect Brisbane and Ipswich from future floods."

Mr McArdle said the prefeasibility study narrowed the flood mitigation options down from nine to three that were worthy of further consideration, including:

    increasing the flood mitigation compartment of Wivenhoe Dam by raising the dam wall;
    a new dam on the Brisbane River upstream of Linville; and
    a new dam on the Lower Warrill Creek near Willowbank.

"It is important to stress no decisions have been made about which dams may or may not be built," he said. "A more detailed investigation will now be carried out to consider the benefits, estimated costs, and potential impacts of each of the three options or combinations of options.

"New operational strategies for Wivenhoe and North Pine dams released last month could mean as many as 1,500 fewer buildings in Brisbane and Ipswich would be flooded in a repeat of the 2011 flood.

"The new dams we are investigating could save thousands more homes and businesses if there was a repeat of the 2011 floods, but it is still early days and we will now do more detailed studies into these options.

"Unlike Labor, which wasted billions of dollars on a rusty desalination plant, a recycled water plant that's too costly to operate and the non-existent Traveston Dam, the Newman LNP Government is determined to deliver better infrastructure and planning to keep Queenslanders safe."

A map outlining the potential dam sites is available at
https://www.dews.qld.gov.au/water-supply-regulations/flood-mitigation-initiatives/infrastructure-investigation

[ENDS] 16 December 2014   

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Willowbank dam plan to save Ipswich

[ozbob]

http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20038.html

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING - SOUTHEAST QUEENSLAND
for DAMAGING WIND and LARGE HAILSTONES

For people in parts of the
Somerset,
Sunshine Coast and
Moreton Bay Council Areas.

Issued at 1:57 pm Wednesday, 17 December 2014.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 1:55 pm, severe thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near the ranges south of Jimna. These thunderstorms are moving towards the northeast. They are forecast to affect the area west of Conondale by 2:25 pm and Conondale by 2:55 pm.

Damaging winds and large hailstones are likely.

[ozbob]

http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20038.html

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SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING - SOUTHEAST QUEENSLAND
for DAMAGING WIND

For people in the Ipswich, Logan, Scenic Rim and parts of the Somerset, Lockyer Valley, Gold Coast, Brisbane and Moreton Bay Council Areas.

Issued at 4:45 pm Thursday, 18 December 2014.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 4:50 pm, severe thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near Gatton and Mulgowie. These thunderstorms are moving towards the east. They are forecast to affect Boonah, Laidley and Marburg by 5:20 pm and Ipswich, Beaudesert and the area between Boonah and Beaudesert by 5:50 pm.

Damaging winds are likely.

A 93km/h wind gust was recorded at Oakey at 3:40pm.
An 89km/h wind gust was recorded at Wellcamp Airport at 3:35pm.

[ozbob]

BOM radar 5pm http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR663.loop.shtml#skip



track wsw to ene

[techblitz]

Hit pinkenba right on the dot @6pm......was supposed to hit archerfield 6.20?
Looks like they mis-timed it....underestimated the speed...

[techblitz]

Absolutely bucketing down in rocklea/archerfield at the moment

[ozbob]

Yo!  Was around Slacks Creek earlier today, some very heavy rain falls.

Will not be watering the lawn today here at Goodna either!

[ozbob]

http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20032.html

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SEVERE WEATHER WARNING
for HEAVY RAINFALL

For people in parts of the
Southeast Coast Forecast District.

Issued at 7:43 am Friday, 23 January 2015.

Synoptic Situation:
Heavy rain, which may lead to flash flooding, is expected to continue today. Currently, the heaviest rain is
located on radar over the greater Brisbane area.

Locations which may be affected include Gold Coast, Brisbane, Coolangatta, Ipswich, Moreton Bay and islands and Caloundra.

Falls up to 80mm have occured during the last 2 hours over parts of the greater Brisbnae area.

[ozbob]

^
BOM radar at 08.54am 23 January2015

[ozbob]

http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20032.html

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SEVERE WEATHER WARNING
for HEAVY RAINFALL

For people in the
Southeast Coast and parts of the
Capricornia and
Wide Bay and Burnett Forecast Districts.

Issued at 1:33 pm Friday, 23 January 2015.

Synoptic Situation:
Thunderstorms and areas of heavy rain, which may lead to flash flooding, are expected to continue in the warning area this afternoon. Currently, the heaviest rain is occurring about the Sunshine Coast and hinterland, with recent hourly falls peaking around 60mm west of Maroochydore.

Locations which may be affected include Gold Coast, Brisbane, Maroochydore, Gympie, Bundaberg, Coolangatta, Ipswich, Moreton Bay and islands, Noosa, Hervey Bay, Fraser Island and Hervey Bay waters.

[ozbob]

http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20038.html

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING - SOUTHEAST QUEENSLAND
for DAMAGING WIND and LARGE HAILSTONES

For people in the
Gold Coast and parts of the
Logan and
Scenic Rim Council Areas.

Issued at 3:09 pm Saturday, 31 January 2015.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 3:10 pm, severe thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near Laravale and the area south of Canungra. These thunderstorms are moving towards the east. They are forecast to affect Beaudesert, Mudgeeraba and Canungra by 3:40 pm and Mount Tamborine, Coomera and possibly Hope Island by 4:10 pm.

Damaging winds and large hailstones are likely.

[techblitz]

Plenty of  hail at archerfield......seems to have built up around ippy? Thought only gold coast and redland bay were going to get hammered...seems not!

[ozbob]

Yo!  Bit of hail around eg. Corinda, Richlands and further in.  Goodna just on the edge of the rain again.  Cooled it down a bit.

Sadly some people have been struck by lightning on the Gold Coast - one serious.

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> A young child is one of four people struck by lightning at Worongary

[SurfRail]

Plenty of wet about down here this afternoon.  Not a massive lightshow, except for the poor folks up the road from me who were struck by lightning.

[SurfRail]

ABC has just reported the father has sadly succumbed to his injuries.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> North Queensland braces for more torrential rain

[ozbob]

http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20032.html

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

SEVERE WEATHER WARNING
for DAMAGING WINDS, HEAVY RAINFALL, ABNORMALLY HIGH TIDES and DANGEROUS SURF

For people in the
Wide Bay and Burnett,
Southeast Coast and parts of the
Capricornia Forecast Districts.

Issued at 3:34 pm Tuesday, 17 February 2015.

Synoptic Situation:
A tropical low pressure system lies over the Coral Sea approximately 1000 km east northeast of Cairns. The low may cross the Capricornia or Wide Bay coast on Friday. The monsoon trough is likely to extend southwards of the low towards Queensland's southeast late in the working week, resulting in severe weather near, and well to the south of the low.

Heavy rain and damaging winds are possible from the coast to the ranges between Rockhampton and Brisbane from Thursday, extending down to the state's southern border during Friday. The heavy rain may lead to flash flooding, with some 24 hour totals in excess of 300 mm). The damaging gusts may reach around 90 km/hr, mostly near the coast and ranges.

Water levels on the high tide are likely to exceed the highest tide of the year between Rockhampton and the Gold Coast from Thursday. Dangerous surf conditions and significant beach erosion are also expected between Rockhampton and the Gold Coast from Thursday.

Locations which may be affected include Gold Coast, Brisbane, Maroochydore, Gympie, Bundaberg, Gladstone and Rockhampton.

[ozbob]

Twitter

BOM Queensland ‏@BOM_Qld 1 minute ago

A low in the Coral Sea may develop into a tropical cyclone as it moves southwestwards towards the Queensland coast. http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone

[ozbob]

BOM TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 1 --> http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20023.html

[ozbob]

http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20023.html

TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 3

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Brisbane braces for deluge as Cyclone Lam threatens North Queensland

[ozbob]

http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ65002.shtml

Issued at 1:51 am EST Thursday 19 February 2015. Refer to Tropical Cyclone Advice Number 6.



TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 6

Issued at 1:46 am EST on Thursday 19 February 2015

>> http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20023.html

Details of Tropical Cyclone Marcia at 1:00 am EST:

Intensity: Category 1, sustained winds near the centre of 65 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 95 kilometres per hour.

Location: within 55 kilometres of 18.6 degrees South 154.2 degrees East, estimated to be 620 kilometres northeast of Yeppoon and 720 kilometres north northeast of Bundaberg.

Movement: southwest at 23 kilometres per hour.

Tropical Cyclone Marcia has developed over the central Coral Sea. The recent movement has been to the southwest, and it is expected to maintain this general motion through to landfall on the eastern Queensland coast between St Lawrence and Hervey Bay early on Friday. Tropical Cyclone Marcia is expected to slowly intensify, with the possibility of reaching category 2 intensity by landfall.

A separate Severe Weather Warning is current for areas south of St Lawrence and west to the Great Dividing Range.
Hazards:

GALES are expected to develop about coastal and island communities between Sarina and Double Island Point during today in the late afternoon or evening. Destructive wind gusts to 150 km/hr may develop about the coast and islands near the centre on Friday morning.

Heavy rainfall will develop about coastal and island communities between Sarina and Double Island Point today, particularly over areas to the south of the system. A Flood Watch is current for the area.

Abnormally high tides will be experienced today and Friday with water levels expected to rise above the highest tide of the year on the high tide.

Coastal residents between St Lawrence and Double Island Point are specifically warned of the dangerous storm tide as the cyclone crosses the coast. The sea is likely to rise steadily up to a level well above the normal tide, with damaging waves and flooding of some low-lying areas close to the shoreline. People living in areas likely to be affected by this flooding should take measures to protect their property as much as possible and be prepared to follow instructions regarding evacuation of the area if advised to do so by the authorities.

Dangerous surf is expected to develop about exposed beaches south of Sandy Cape from this morning.

[ozbob]

BOM TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 7

>> http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20023.html

Details of Tropical Cyclone Marcia at 4:00 am EST:

Intensity: Category 1, sustained winds near the centre of 75 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 100 kilometres per hour.

Location: within 55 kilometres of 19.1 degrees South 153.1 degrees East, estimated to be 510 kilometres north northeast of Yeppoon and 650 kilometres north of Bundaberg.

Movement: southwest at 32 kilometres per hour.

Tropical Cyclone Marcia is moving quickly through the Coral Sea towards the Queensland coast. The recent movement has been to the southwest, and it is expected to maintain this general motion through to landfall on the eastern Queensland coast between St Lawrence and Bundaberg early on Friday. Tropical Cyclone Marcia is expected to slowly intensify, with the possibility of reaching category 2 intensity by landfall.

A separate Severe Weather Warning is current for areas south of Double Island Point and west to the Great Dividing Range.

[ozbob]

http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20023.html

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TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 9

Issued at 10:58 am EST on Thursday 19 February 2015
Headline:

TC Marcia upgraded to a Category 2 system, still on track to cross the Capricorn Coast early Friday morning.
Areas Affected:
Warning Zone

Mackay to Double Island Point.
Watch Zone

Adjacent inland areas from Rockhampton to Double Island Point.
Cancelled Zone

None.
Details of Tropical Cyclone Marcia at 10:00 am EST:

Intensity: Category 2, sustained winds near the centre of 95 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 130 kilometres per hour.

Location: within 30 kilometres of 19.9 degrees South 152.1 degrees East, estimated to be 385 kilometres north northeast of Yeppoon and 555 kilometres north of Bundaberg.

Movement: southwest at 23 kilometres per hour.

Tropical Cyclone Marcia has been moving through the Coral Sea towards the Queensland coast in a southwesterly direction. The cyclone is expected to maintain this general motion through to landfall on the eastern Queensland coast between St Lawrence and Bundaberg early on Friday. Tropical Cyclone Marcia has been intensifying over the past 24 hours, and has now reached category 2 intensity.

A separate Severe Weather Warning is current for areas south of Double Island Point and west to the Great Dividing Range.

======================

http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ65002.shtml

TROPICAL CYCLONE FORECAST TRACK MAP
Tropical Cyclone Marcia
Issued at 11:03 am EST Thursday 19 February 2015. Refer to Tropical Cyclone Advice Number 9.

[ozbob]

The rains cometh ..

[ozbob]

http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20023.html

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
FLASH TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 11

Issued at 4:00 pm EST on Thursday 19 February 2015
Headline:

Marcia now category 3. This very dangerous cyclone is continuing to intensify as it approaches the coast.

Areas Affected:
Warning Zone

Bowen to Double Island Point extending inland to Blackwater, Moura, Biloela, and Monto
Watch Zone

Adjacent inland areas between Bundaberg and Double Island Point, extending inland to include Mundubbera, Gayndah, and Murgon
Cancelled Zone

None.
Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Marcia at 3:00 pm EST:

Intensity: Category 3, sustained winds near the centre of 155 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 220 kilometres per hour.

Location: within 20 kilometres of 20.5 degrees South 151.0 degrees East, estimated to be 290 kilometres north of Yeppoon and 200 kilometres east northeast of Mackay.

Movement: west southwest at 26 kilometres per hour.

Severe tropical cyclone Marcia continues to move southwest towards the Queensland coast. The cyclone is expected to maintain this motion through to landfall between St Lawrence and Gladstone early on Friday. This very dangerous cyclone is now at category 3 intensity and continuing to intensify extremely rapidly. It is now forecast to reach category 4 by landfall.

A separate Severe Weather Warning is current for areas south of Double Island Point and west to the Great Dividing Range.

[ozbob]

http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ65002.shtml

TROPICAL CYCLONE FORECAST TRACK MAP
Severe Tropical Cyclone Marcia
Issued at 4:04 pm EST Thursday 19 February 2015. Refer to latest Tropical Cyclone Advice.

[ozbob]

Two for the price of one: our map tracking Cyclone Marcia and Cyclone Lam http://t.co/Dk0Oo43pJP by @AshKyd pic.twitter.com/LdcYTY9Yxb

— Matt Liddy (@mattliddy) February 19, 2015

[ozbob]

http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20023.html

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 13

Issued at 5:52 pm EST on Thursday 19 February 2015

Headline:
Severe tropical cyclone Marcia has intensified to category 4 and continues to approach the Queensland coast.

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2015/2/19/patience-and-planning-key-to-safe-travel-in-severe-weather

Media Statements
JOINT STATEMENT

Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport, Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Jackie Trad

Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports and Minister for Energy and Water Supply
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Patience and planning key to safe travel in severe weather

Motorists and commuters are urged to plan ahead and play it safe in the severe weather expected across Queensland over coming days.

Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Jackie Trad and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said with heavy rain and flash flooding in store for many parts of the state, people needed to ensure they did everything possible to travel safely.

Ms Trad asked commuters to be patient with any public transport disruptions and to keep themselves up to date with service changes.

"We know public transport can be heavily disrupted in severe weather so I encourage people to plan ahead, listen to local warnings and check the TransLink website or download the MyTransLink app before travelling," Ms Trad said.

"Whether you're travelling by road, bus, train, tram or ferry, planning and patience will be the keys to staying safe."

Minister Bailey has warned road users to take every precaution on the roads with heavy rain and flash flooding expected in many parts of the state over the coming days.

"We can ease the burden on our emergency services by not putting ourselves at risk by driving through floodwaters. I urge motorists to be aware of changes in traffic conditions and obey all signage to ensure their safety and that of other road users," he said.

"Ergon Energy crews are also on standby in regional areas ready to respond to any emergency.

"I take this opportunity to thank staff in advance for the work they are about to undertake. Their job is not nine to five, it's not easy, and sometimes it can be hazardous. For that, we owe them a debt of gratitude," Mr Bailey said.

Minister Bailey said Gladstone Port has been closed to incoming shipping with 26 ships safely at anchor off Gladstone, and 11 ships in Port being moved out to sea today.

SunWater is also well-prepared for the bad weather likely to hit the Queensland coast, with key operational teams on-site and on standby, ready to be mobilised if required.

Maritime Safety Queensland General Manager Patrick Quirk said boaties should have implemented their weather contingency plans with Tropical Cyclone Marcia off the Queensland coast.

"It is vitally important to have identified sheltered areas or inlets and have options to move your boat if you are away during severe weather," Mr Quirk said.

"Secure your vessel with suitable lines, stow loose articles below deck, close hatches, reduce wind loading and check your boat is watertight.

"Preparing, planning and obeying these simple rules can prevent damage to your boat and others."

    Transport and Main Road's 13 19 40 Traffic and Travel Information telephone service and website (131940.qld.gov.au) is regularly updated to provide the most current traffic advice for road users.
    Public transport customers can stay up to date on any changes or disruptions to timetabled services by visiting the TransLink website www.translink.com.au (external site), downloading the MyTransLink app or phoning the TransLink Call Centre anytime on 13 12 30.
    Maritime Safety Queensland has published Extreme Weather Event Contingency Plans for each of its ports at msq.qld.gov.au.
    For more information on how to get ready for severe weather visit www.tmr.qld.gov.au/getready.

[ozbob]

TC Marcia now expected to be cat 5 on landfall at ~ 7am .. likely to be significant infrastructure damage in affected areas

[red dragin]

Just brought in all our loose items from the yard.

It really deserves the Marcia Marcia Marcia line now!

[James]

TC Marcia now expected to be cat 5 on landfall at ~ 7am .. likely to be significant infrastructure damage in affected areas

...and it changes its mind.



Interesting one to watch - the further south it comes, the more intense it will be for SEQ and the worse things will be. Goodness knows the panic which will ensue if the cyclone is even a Category 1 by the time it hits Brisbane.

[ozbob]

BOM radar 01.24am 20 Feb 2015 http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR663.loop.shtml

[ozbob]

TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 20

Issued at 0:55 am EST on Friday 20 February 2015
Headline:

Severe tropical cyclone Marcia moving south southwest, category 5 forecast at landfall this morning.

>> http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20023.html

=============

http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ65002.shtml

TROPICAL CYCLONE FORECAST TRACK MAP
Severe Tropical Cyclone Marcia
Issued at 12:55 am EST Friday 20 February 2015. Refer to latest Tropical Cyclone Advice.

[ozbob]

BOM Gladstone radar 1.37am 20th February 2015
http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR231.loop.shtml#skip

[ozbob]

Twitter

BOM Queensland ‏@BOM_Qld 2 minutes ago

The radar signature and forecast winds and track of Severe #CycloneMarcia in MetEye. http://www.bom.gov.au/ 

[ozbob]

http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ65002.shtml

TROPICAL CYCLONE FORECAST TRACK MAP (now Cat 5)
Severe Tropical Cyclone Marcia
Issued at 4:03 am EST Friday 20 February 2015. Refer to latest Tropical Cyclone Advice.