Flood information - links

[ozbob]

Flooding at Giru, southeast of Townsville. Photo: Les Moffitt

Note Giru railway station.   

Also appears to be a tilt?  stowed on the high embankment prior to the river ..

[ozbob]

Townsville Bulletin --> URGENT: Major Townsville flash flood warning

EMERGENCY services are being pulled out of flooded areas in Townsville as heavy rainfall lashes the city.

It is understood the Australian Defence Service and other services are being instructed to withdraw from low-lying areas.

Residents have been urged to stay away from flooded areas and listen to emergency warning alerts.

A warning message from authorities warn "an unprecedented amount of water" is about to inundate the city as a band of heavy rain combines with spill from Ross River Dam.

Residents in many suburbs across Townsville are warned that they may experience flooding from rapid rises of the Ross River.

This includes Rosslea, Hermit Park, Railway Estate, Townsville City, Oonoonba, Idalia, Cluden, West End, Rowes Bay, Garbutt, Aitkenvale, Cranbrook, Currajong, Mysterton, Pimlico, Mundingburra, Douglas, Annandale, Kirwan and Thuringowa Central and South Townsville areas.

The dam spillway gates may open to their full setting between the hours of 8.30pm tonight and 6am tomorrow.

This setting would release up to 2000 cubic metres of water per second out of the dam.

Everyone should ensure they move away from riverbanks and get to higher ground before 8.30pm tonight.

Residents still in their homes in these suburbs should move to the highest ground in their dwelling before 8.30pm tonight.

A map of potential inundated properties will released shortly. ...

[ozbob]

The authorities have to make a decision. Open the flood gates and cause a degree of flooding, or wait.  However the flood gates will open automatically once a certain level is reached which would then probably cause a greater flash flood.  So it is the lesser of the two evils.  Controlled release is clearly the best strategy, even though homes will be flooded.  Wait, and it would be lot worse.  A lot of rain has fallen in the dam catchment today so they have to go now.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/couriermail/status/1091953860128661504

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Townsville floods: Rooftop rescues as Ross River Dam floodgates open

TOWNSVILLE residents had to be rescued from their rooftops last night as a wall of water rushed through the already flood-stricken city when the Ross River Dam gates automatically tripped open after days of torrential rain.

Residents of more than 20 suburbs were ordered to evacuate yesterday afternoon as authorities announced the dam – currently at 250 per cent capacity – had automatically opened about 8 o'clock last night and could stay open until 6am today.

Swiftwater rescue crews were operating through the night as water levels continued to rise.

Queensland police said they were responding to multiple jobs.

"There are hundreds and hundreds of calls for assistance," a spokeswoman said.

"Even though there have been plenty of warnings, the floodwaters have still taken many by surprise.

"We have dozens of code-two jobs, our most serious jobs, at the moment."

It was feared flash flooding from the release would more than double the height of record-high flood levels already raging through the heart of the city with up to 2000 cubic metres of water per second expected to be unleashed from the dam.

All flights in and out of Townsville were last night cancelled as authorities warned worst-case scenario modelling showed as many as 20,000 properties could be inundated – about one-quarter of the city's homes.

Police Acting Chief Superintendent Steve Munro said: "We are in uncharted territory. There's more water coming, make steps to keep yourself safe. We're not through this yet.''

Emergency texts flashed on phones: "Emergency. Emergency. Move away from Ross River now. Flash flooding from Dam."

One Twitter alert yesterday urged residents to scramble to higher ground.

"Everyone should ensure they move away from riverbanks and get to higher ground," the alert said. "The dam spillway gates may open to their full setting between the hours 8.30pm and 6am.

"Residents still in their homes in these suburbs should move to the highest ground in their dwelling."

It comes on top of the catastrophic flooding and extreme rainfall swamping the disaster-declared city in an unprecedented "one-in-100-year" event.

Suburbs in direct danger included Rosslea, Hermit Park, Railway Estate, Townsville City, Oonoonba, Idalia, Cluden, West End, Rowes Bay, Garbutt, Aitkenvale, Cranbrook, Currajong, Mysterton, Pimlico, Mundingburra, Douglas, Annandale, Kirwan and Thuringowa Central and South Townsville areas.

In hardest-hit Rosslea, Megan Simmonds, 26, has been helping neighbours carry out their belongings from devastated homes where many are already under 2m of water.

She said they all now face the "great uncertainty of what is to come".

About 10,000 people have already lost power since Friday – and more power outages due to public safety concerns are likely.

Meanwhile, tornadoes and waterspouts were spotted off Townsville yesterday in the intensifying monsoon dumping a phenomenal 100mm an hour – on top of a record one-metre total rainfall – over the disaster zone in North Queensland.

"Atmospheric conditions are ripe for tornadoes and waterspouts around Townsville, Ayr, Bowen,'' it said. "On Doppler radar they show up as red-blue 'couplets' like these near Alva Beach. Damaging to destructive winds are possible in these intense storm cells.''

In 2012, a tornado packing 110km/h winds tore apart about 60 homes and injured 13 people in a narrow path of destruction in Townsville.

BoM Meteorologist Adam Blazak said waterspouts or tornadoes develop in severe thunderstorms of the monsoonal trough.

"A waterspout is nothing to be sneezed at, it can tear a house apart," he said.

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill praised the plucky spirit of locals and urged the 185,000-strong community to "hang tough".

"We still don't know how much more rain will fall in the catchment,'' she said.

"It is quite dangerous."

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Townsville on edge as dam gates open, flights cancelled

[ozbob]

Townsville Bulletin

https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/news/townsville/urgent-major-townsville-flash-flood-warning/news-story/33324296afac50a2be2494d7477e10c2

UPDATE, 1.15am:

Emergency services have received hundreds of call for assistance as flood waters continue to rise through the night.

Australian Defence Force members have launched boats into the streets of Idalia, in Townsville's south, searching for any lights on or residents in need of rescue.

Emergency services are no longer able to use road vehicles to get into Idalia for rescues.

It is understood there are currently about 20 active calls for assistance in the suburb.

Meanwhile heavy rain has continued to lash the city with widespread falls between 150mm and 250mm recorded in the CBD and most surrounding areas since 9am Sunday.

About 192mm of rain has fallen over the Ross River Dam in this time.

17,000 properties across Townsville are currently without power.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/BOM_Qld/status/1092011359980666880

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/RossRiverDam/status/1092110875920543745

https://twitter.com/RossRiverDam/status/1092125977327525888

Levels slowly falling ...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1092137577149227009

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/RossRiverDam/status/1092110875920543745

https://twitter.com/RossRiverDam/status/1092125977327525888

Levels slowly falling ...

https://twitter.com/RossRiverDam/status/1092171277530320896

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/couriermail/status/1092175256368762880

[ozbob]

ABC News Blog --> Live: Townsville flooding leaves thousands of homes inundated

[ozbob]

Ross River Dam is currently at 230.6% capacity (537,836 Megalitres). Latest reading at 10:00am on the 4th of February. #Townsville

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1092275288115834880

[ozbob]

Ross River Dam is currently at 230.6% capacity (537,836 Megalitres). Latest reading at 10:00am on the 4th of February. #Townsville

Ross River Dam is currently at 226.8% capacity (528,860 Megalitres). Latest reading at 12:00pm on the 4th of February. #Townsville

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/RecoveryQld/status/1091834905892474880

[ozbob]

Townsville Bulletin --> More than 1000 troops on the ground for flood support

THE Australian Defence Force has more than 1000 troops on the ground helping support people throughout Townsville during an unprecedented flood event.

Joint Australian Defence Force Taskforce 658 Commander Brigadier Scott Winter said everyone was helping out.

"We've got about 500 people out amongst the community at the moment and about 600 to 700 back on barracks doing things like filling sandbags, looking after some sandbags and main sure we have enough redundancy so we can keep these going for the next few days," he said.

"We are in this for the long haul, I think everyone is noticing that the rain hasn't quite gone away yet.

"All of the ADF units that we've got in the north are absolutely fully engaged in bringing all these capabilities to what is an incredible team here in Townsville."

Brig Winter said it added some comfort for people when they saw soldiers walking down the street to help out.

He said the ADF had been involved in numerous rescues throughout flooded Townsville suburbs.

"We have a number of vehicles and troops out in support of the police for some of those inextrimus recovery activities to help with the evacuations," Brig Winter said.

"We have troops out delivering sandbags (who are) very quickly able to transition to doorknock activities if there is messaging that's required."

A number of the ADF's assets are being deployed in situations they were not necessarily designed for.

"Most of them (our assets) are pretty tried and proven but we are using them in a novel way and they're certainly being used in a way that they have not been used before," Brig Winter said.

The ADF also has helicopters in the air to support emergency services.

Whether the rain and flooding eases off or not, Brig Winter said Defence would be there to help with the cleanup and recovery.

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Ross River Dam is currently at 230.6% capacity (537,836 Megalitres). Latest reading at 10:00am on the 4th of February. #Townsville

Ross River Dam is currently at 226.8% capacity (528,860 Megalitres). Latest reading at 12:00pm on the 4th of February. #Townsville

Ross River Dam is currently at 220.6% capacity (514,502 Megalitres). Latest reading at 3:00pm on the 4th of February. #Townsville

[HappyTrainGuy]

Flooding at Giru, southeast of Townsville. Photo: Les Moffitt

Note Giru railway station.   

Also appears to be a tilt?  stowed on the high embankment prior to the river ..

Might need to go to specsavers

404/407 is currently stowed adjacent to the Townsville Showgrounds on the main line which is away from the flooding. It's been shuffling around these past couple days.

[ozbob]

Thanks.  Something there on the main line.  Might be some locos.   

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Cops search for men in Townsville floodwaters as locals plead for relief

AUTHORITIES last night were desperately searching for two men missing in Townsville's flood as locals pleaded for a reprieve from the torrential rain.

The two men were feared washed away by floodwaters after running away from the scene of an alleged looting in Townsville. A search for the pair was continuing last night with grave fears held for their safety.

The disaster bill, already estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars, could rise further as authorities forecast the flood risk was far from over.

More than 3,200 locals have already applied for disaster relief with many homes underwater and unlovable.

Forecasters predict up to 268mm more rainfall to come on top of the record-breaking 1134mm in the North Queensland city.

Disaster officials yesterday defended their decision not to forcibly move stranded residents – with 1,100 people assisted to relocate at the height of catastrophic flooding – despite special powers granted to police under a disaster declaration.

Families had to be rescued from rooftops yesterday as more than 20 suburbs were engulfed by water when the floodgates at Ross River Dam, at 250 per cent capacity, were opened sending a wall of water into the heart of the city.

State Disaster Co-ordination Bob Gee said: "It was a judgment call".

"We've got limited resources, we've got to work with the community,'' Police Assistant Commissioner Gee said.

"If those officers had have needed those powers they would be fully supported by myself, all the way down through the command team."

The missing men have been identified as 25-year-old Troy Mathieson and 20-year-old Hughie Morton.

Police fear the pair may have been swept into a drain.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk praised the efforts of disaster crews battling to respond to the "extraordinary" extreme weather event.

"Lots of families are going to be going through a rough time, it's very stressful," she said.'

She said the total damage bill was likely to cost "hundreds of millions of dollars because of the scale of it" in a long recovery.

"It's a big task ahead of us.''

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said no-one could say they had not been warned about the threat of widespread flooding under the one-in-100-year event.

"Fundamentally what do you have to do to make people leave?", she said.

"What do you have to say to them, how many times do you have to give them warnings."

Two police officers rescued two people on Charters Towers Road before they themselves were swept away – one clinging to a power pole – before they could be rescued leaving a police car destroyed.

In another dramatic incident, Army soldiers and a rescued family also had to abandon a military vehicle to the floodwaters before they could be plucked to safety.

Cr Hill said some people thought they could get through the flooding and stay at homes despite the advice.

"Some people thought for example they'd be able to sit on their two storey home and sit in their second storey and survive and that hasn't been the case," she said yesterday.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1092444983515262976

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1092446125036957696

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/BOM_Qld/status/1092357349115867137

[ozbob]

Ross River Dam is currently at 207.6% capacity (483,984 Megalitres). Latest reading at 12:00am on the 5th of February. #Townsville

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1092503336018833408

ABC News --> BOM says Townsville flooding far from over, as city lies trapped in weather 'convergence' zone

A very active monsoon trough that is refusing to budge and a slow-moving tropical low which is dragging moist air down from the equator have created an unprecedented rainfall event for the north Queensland coast which is far from over.

Key points:

Rain is set to continue until the weekend as Townsville battles a flood crisis
Moist tropical air is converging with south-easterly winds in the Townsville region
The system is stationary, so rainfall is continually centred on the same areas

Hundreds of Townsville residents have been evacuated and thousands of homes have been inundated by rising floodwaters.

Australia's tropical north is in the midst of the wet season, but even at this time of year this type of rainfall is extreme.

Townsville received a year's worth of rainfall in nine days, with 1,134 millimetres recorded up until 9:00am on Monday ...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1092575527481659392

[ozbob]

Ross River Dam is currently at 199.9% capacity (466,034 Megalitres). Latest reading at 11:00am on the 5th of February. #Townsville

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2019/2/5/bruce-highway-reopens-in-north-queensland

JOINT STATEMENT

Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Tuesday, February 05, 2019

Bruce Highway re-opens in North Queensland

The Bruce Highway has re-opened either side of Townsville, ensuring North Queensland residents have access to supplies.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said authorities opened access for heavy vehicles overnight before re-opening the Bruce Highway to all traffic north and south of Townsville at 10.30am today.

"All traffic is now moving freely both north and south, which will certainly be welcome news for these communities," the Premier said.

"Overnight, trucks were permitted to travel safely north from Mackay across the Haughton River Bridge to allow for essential resupply efforts into Townsville and up to Cairns.

"With our major coastal highway now open again, I urge everyone to take care on the roads and drive to the conditions.

"There are a lot of trucks heading north with supplies to support flood-affected communities, so stay safe on the roads."

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said while the Bruce Highway had opened, flood waters continued to cut off other major roads.

"The Finders Highway is expected to be cut for some days with the Macrossan Bridge over the Burdekin River under water," Mr Bailey said.

"We have also recorded multiple landslips on Hervey Range Road, between Townsville and Charters Towers, as well as a major landslip on Paluma Range.

"Inland supply routes from Mount Isa to the coast are still closed.

"When the water recedes, roads and bridges will be inspected as soon as possible to ensure they are safe before reopening.

"Authorities will continue to work with rural communities across the north-west of the state to monitor fuel and food supplies."

Residents in flood-affected areas are being urged to avoid unnecessary travel and stay out of flood waters, particularly, around the Townsville area, due to the unprecedented flood levels and ongoing wet weather.

Work is underway, where safe to do so, to assess roads for damage and clear debris. For key road closures and to keep up-to-date with conditions, visit qldtraffic.qld.gov.au or call 13 19 40.

ENDS

[ozbob]

Ross River Dam is currently at 188.3% capacity (439,108 Megalitres). Latest reading at 2:00am on the 6th of February. #Townsville

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1092954688138313728

[ozbob]

Ross River Dam is currently at 166.8% capacity (389,048 Megalitres). Latest reading at 6:00pm on the 7th of February. #Townsville

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Flood impact in north-west Queensland revealed in dramatic time-lapse vision


A freight train at Nelia in western Queensland now surrounded by floodwaters.
Supplied: QR

Queensland Rail (QR) has revealed amazing pictures of train tracks engulfed by rising floodwaters at Corella Creek in the state's north-west.
The time-lapse vision shows the nature of the historic monsoonal flood event, which has had a devastating impact on graziers in the region who have suffered heavy stock losses.

QR said it also discovered on Thursday afternoon that a freight train carrying metals had been toppled by rising flood waters in Nelia, east of Cloncurry.

In a statement, QR CEO Nick Easy said aerial inspections showed wagons at varying angles that some of the train's contents — zinc, lead and copper — had spilled into floodwaters.

The train had been stored there since the end of January as a precaution because of heavy rainfall on the Mount Isa line.

Mr Easy said the train was not staffed, but that QR crews were unable to physically access the site.

"Upon identifying the impacted train, Queensland Rail immediately reported the issue to emergency services, Department of Environment and Science and the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator, and has stood up a local incident coordination team," he said.

"QR will work closely with the different agencies to understand impacts and respond to the incident, and will continue to keep the local community updated.

"While Queensland Rail understands all other locomotives are safe and accounted for, further aerial inspections will be undertaken as soon as is safe to do so to confirm this.

"This is an unprecedented flooding event and Nelia is a high point in the area, which has previously provided safe flood-free stowing for trains in flood events."

[HappyTrainGuy]

Pacnat locos.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Townsville floods: Rising tide of blame over dam operation

IT'S the one question the people of Townsville are asking – should water have been released earlier and in greater quantities from the Ross River Dam?

Originally thought to be a one-in-100-year event, this week's flood disaster had rewritten the history books, Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill declared.

It's now believed the floods were larger than a one-in-500-year event (a 0.2 per cent chance of it happening in any given year). And the rainfall over the dam during the past week has totalled in excess of a one-in-2000-year event.

It's an extraordinary turn of events for a city that's battled with a prolonged drought.

Just over 12 months ago, the dam hit a staggeringly low 15 per cent.

Now, gutted residents are left shaking their heads as they return home to find their nests destroyed by water, mould and mud.

And as watery debris piles high in streets, so are the questions mounting.

Ross River Dam was built during the 1970s for flood mitigation. It is owned by Townsville City Council, however SunWater – a State Government-owned corporation – lends operational advice and can provide council with expertise around how the infrastructure should be operated.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was asked on Sunrise yesterday whether the floodgates should have been released earlier, and more often.

"That's a good question, you should direct that question to the Townsville City Council because they own that dam," she replied.

When pressed on whether she was blaming the council, the Premier repeated the council owned the dam, before saying "no".

Later that day, it was confirmed that a wide-ranging review would be conducted by the independent body the Inspector-General Emergency Management. ....

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/DebFrecklington/status/1093752842693763073

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/MarkBaileyMP/status/1094110214704455680