Flood information - links

[ozbob]

BOM 07.42am 8th Oct 2011

http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR662.loop.shtml#skip

[ozbob]

The Early Warning Network --> http://www.ewn.com.au/

Southeast QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Large Hail, Damaging Winds    
Source: Bureau of Meteorology
For people in the LOCKYER VALLEY, IPSWICH CITY, SOUTHERN DOWNS, SCENIC RIM, SOMERSET, TOOWOOMBA and parts of the BRISBANE CITY, LOGAN CITY, MORETON BAY, DALBY and SOUTH BURNETT Council Areas.

Issued at 5:42 am Saturday, 8 October 2011.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 5:45 am, severe thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near Toowoomba, the area northwest of Kingaroy and Bell. These thunderstorms are moving towards the east. They are forecast to affect Laidley, Gatton and Kingaroy by 6:15 am and Ipswich, Esk and the area northwest of Esk by 6:45 am.

Damaging winds and large hailstones are likely.

A wind gust of 198 km/hr was observed at Oakey at 5:30am

Emergency Management Queensland advises that people should:

* Move your car under cover or away from trees.
* Secure loose outdoor items.
* Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
* Avoid using the telephone during a thunderstorm.
* Beware of fallen trees and powerlines.
* For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.

[ozbob]

QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Large Hail, Flash Flooding, Damaging Winds    
Source: Bureau of Meteorology
For people in the
Southeast Coast and parts of the
Wide Bay and Burnett Forecast Districts.

Issued at 2:07 pm Thursday, 13 October 2011.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds, very heavy rainfall, flash flooding and large hailstones in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Ipswich and possibly Gold Coast, Brisbane and Maroochydore.

Emergency Management Queensland advises that people should:
* Move your car under cover or away from trees.
* Secure loose outdoor items.
* Avoid driving, walking or riding through flood waters.
* Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
* Avoid using the telephone during a thunderstorm.
* Beware of fallen trees and powerlines.
* For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.

[ozbob]

BOM Radar 1424 13 October 2011
http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR663.loop.shtml#skip

[ozbob]

BOM Radar 1842 13 October 2011
http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR663.loop.shtml#skip

[ClintonL94]

Bob, might be handy to add this one to the Useful Links

http://www.qldalert.com/

QPS released the website as a beta on Saturday 8th Oct. The objective of the site is to gather service disruptions from all public services and post them on http://www.qldalert.com/

[ozbob]

Police, Corrective Services and Emergency Services
The Honourable Neil Roberts
14/10/2011

Floodwater incidents prompt plea - don't venture into water

Reports of residents driving through floodwaters last night have once again prompted a plea from emergency services about venturing into flooded waterways.

Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Emergency Services Neil Roberts is reminding Queensland residents torrential rain can result in creeks and roadways becoming flooded, making them deadly to cross by foot or in a car.

"Yesterday's events again prove you should never attempt to drive across or swim in floodwaters; it's a simple message but one all Queenslanders should pay attention to now to avoid a tragedy", Mr Roberts said.

"Emergency crews attended several incidents across the State in the last 24 hours where residents were stranded after driving across a flooded road."

Mr Roberts said paramedics transported an 80-year-old man to Kingaroy General Hospital after his car was washed off the road at Stuart Valley Drive at Haly Creek near Kingaroy around 8.30pm last night.

The car was partially submerged and the driver was taken to hospital for assessment.

Firefighters were called to Illawarra Street at Calamvale around 6.15pm and Paradise Road at Larapinta around 6.40pm in South Brisbane to reports of multiple vehicles stuck across flooded roadways. All vehicles and occupants were removed safely and no injuries were reported.

Fire crews also responded to reports of multiple vehicles stuck after driving across flooded roadways at West Street and Drayton Road around 6.15pm and South Street and Mackenzie Street, in Toowoomba around 6.30pm. All vehicles and occupants were removed safely.

Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS) Commissioner Lee Johnson said floodwaters should not be underestimated.

"Venturing into a flooded waterway is one of the most dangerous things you can do," Mr Johnson said.

"It only takes a small amount of fast running flood water to knock a person off their feet and vehicles can easil y be swept off flooded roads.

Mr Roberts said the message was clear, stay well away from flooded creeks and causeways.

"Think about the consequences of your actions and don't risk your life or the lives of others by driving or walking through floodwaters," Mr Roberts said.

"Parents must also keep a close eye on their kids around flooded areas. Children may think playing in bodies of water is fun but it can be deadly."

Mr Roberts said anyone who finds themselves or others in a life-threatening emergency which includes people becoming trapped in floodwaters should call triple zero (000) immediately.

[ozbob]

Bob, might be handy to add this one to the Useful Links

http://www.qldalert.com/

QPS released the website as a beta on Saturday 8th Oct. The objective of the site is to gather service disruptions from all public services and post them on http://www.qldalert.com/

Thanks Clinton.

[ozbob]

BOM Radar 0400 15th October 2011
http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR663.loop.shtml



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 LOCKYER VALLEY, GYMPIE, CHERBOURG SHIRE and parts of the IPSWICH CITY, SOUTHERN DOWNS, SUNSHINE COAST, SCENIC RIM, SOMERSET, SOUTH BURNETT and TOOWOOMBA Council Areas.

Issued at 3:37 am Saturday, 15 October 2011.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 3:35 am, severe thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near Toowoomba and the area northeast of Kingaroy. These thunderstorms are moving towards the east. They are forecast to affect the area north of Toowoomba, the area southwest of Gympie and the ranges between Gympie and Murgon by 4:05 am and Laidley, Gatton and Gympie by 4:35 am.

Damaging winds and large hailstones are likely.

Emergency Management Queensland advises that people should:
* Move your car under cover or away from trees.
* Secure loose outdoor items.
* Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
* Avoid using the telephone during a thunderstorm.
* Beware of fallen trees and powerlines.
* For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.

The next warning is due to be issued by 4:40 am.

A more general severe thunderstorm warning is also current for the Wide Bay and Burnett and parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields, Capricornia, Darling Downs and Granite Belt and Southeast Coast districts.

Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 219. The Bureau and Emergency Management Queensland would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
for DESTRUCTIVE WIND and LARGE HAILSTONES

For people in the Wide Bay and Burnett, Southeast Coast and parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields, Capricornia and Darling Downs and Granite Belt Forecast Districts.

Issued at 4:11 am Saturday, 15 October 2011.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce destructive winds and large hailstones in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Warwick, Toowoomba, Maroochydore, Gympie, Kingaroy and Biloela.

Emergency Management Queensland advises that people should:
* Move your car under cover or away from trees.
* Secure loose outdoor items.
* Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
* Avoid using the telephone during a thunderstorm.
* Beware of fallen trees and powerlines.
* For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.

The next warning is due to be issued by 7:15 am.

At 4:11 am Saturday, 15 October 2011 a separate, more detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning was current for the Southeast Queensland area (east of Dalby from Rainbow Beach to Stanthorpe). Refer to this product for more information.

Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 219. The Bureau and Emergency Management Queensland would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.

[ozbob]

BOM Radar 0454 15th October 2011
http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR663.loop.shtml

[STB]

This line should clear within the next hour or so.  But this is nothing to what is predicted for later today!

[ozbob]

Not sure how the planned works for the Corinda <-> Rosewood closure this weekend will be impacted ...

[ozbob]

Twitter

QPSmedia QPS Media Unit
The severe thunderstorm warnings for Queensland this morning have been CANCELLED #qldweather #bnestorm
6 minutes ago

[ozbob]

Severe Weather Advice    11.31am 15th October 2011

The following is an advisory produced by the Early Warning Network. An SMS has not been sent with this message.

Summary: Showers and storms are expected to develop over the Darling Downs during the early afternoon (possibly even late morning) and move across the Southeast Coast during the mid afternoon, clearing in the evening. There is a very high chance some of these will be severe.

[ozbob]

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

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

For people in the SCENIC RIM and parts of the LOCKYER VALLEY, IPSWICH CITY, SOUTHERN DOWNS and TOOWOOMBA Council Areas.

Issued at 2:43 pm Saturday, 15 October 2011.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 2:40 pm, severe thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near Warwick. These thunderstorms are moving towards the east. They are forecast to affect the area northeast of Warwick and Clifton by 3:10 pm and Moogerah Dam and Aratula by 3:40 pm.

Damaging winds and large hailstones are likely.

A 79km/hr wind gust was recorded at Warwick at 2:25pm.

Emergency Management Queensland advises that people should:
* Move your car under cover or away from trees.
* Secure loose outdoor items.
* Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
* Avoid using the telephone during a thunderstorm.
* Beware of fallen trees and powerlines.
* For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.

The next warning is due to be issued by 3:45 pm.

A more general severe thunderstorm warning is also current for the Northern Tropical Coast and Tablelands and parts of the Herbert and Lower Burdekin, Wide Bay and Burnett, Darling Downs and Granite Belt and Southeast Coast districts.

Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 219. The Bureau and Emergency Management Queensland would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.

[ozbob]

BOM Radar 1530 15th October 2011
http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR663.loop.shtml

[ozbob]

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

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

For people in the GYMPIE, MORETON BAY, SUNSHINE COAST, REDLAND, CHERBOURG SHIRE and parts of the BRISBANE CITY, GOLD COAST CITY, LOGAN CITY, SOMERSET and SOUTH BURNETT Council Areas.

Issued at 4:54 pm Saturday, 15 October 2011.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 4:55 pm, severe thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near Brisbane CBD, Cleveland, Strathpine, northern Moreton Bay, the area northeast of Kingaroy and the area northeast of Lake Boondooma. These thunderstorms are moving towards the east. They are forecast to affect Redcliffe, the area southwest of Gympie and the ranges between Gympie and Murgon by 5:25 pm and Gympie, the area southwest of Caloundra and the area south of Gympie by 5:55 pm.

Damaging winds and large hailstones are likely.

4cm hail was reported at Marburg at 4:40pm.
2cm hail was reported at Oxley at 4:30pm.
1-2cm hail was reported at Mt Alford at 3:00pm.
A 79km/hr wind gust was recorded at Warwick at 2:25pm.

Emergency Management Queensland advises that people should:
* Move your car under cover or away from trees.
* Secure loose outdoor items.
* Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
* Avoid using the telephone during a thunderstorm.
* Beware of fallen trees and powerlines.
* For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.

The next warning is due to be issued by 5:55 pm.

A more general severe thunderstorm warning is also current for the Northern Tropical Coast and Tablelands, Darling Downs and Granite Belt, Southeast Coast and parts of the Herbert and Lower Burdekin and Wide Bay and Burnett districts.

Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 219. The Bureau and Emergency Management Queensland would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.

[Golliwog]

And of course, thanks to daylight savings, any warnings given in the news bulletins are all but useless. I had the Channel 10 5pm News warning me that severe storms were meant to be hitting Brisbane in 15 minutes, when they had come and gone 30 minutes previously.

Either make the news up to date, or don't bother.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Channel 10 news is the feed from Sydney while 7 and 9 are local versions. While it says for immediate broadcast it means they can just display rolling text at the bottom of the feed.

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Big wet soaks Far North

[ozbob]

http://hardenup.org/

Harden Up Queensland ...

Harden Up is a Green Cross Australia led partnership that aims to empower Queenslanders to become self-reliant during natural disasters. It is funded by the Natural Disaster Resilience Program, which is funded through shared contributions from the Australian Government and the Queensland Government.

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

Twitter

TheQldPremier Premier Anna Bligh
New website launched in QLD today shows 150 years of weather data, suburb by suburb: http://t.co/40ChKmSy Prem_Team #hardenup
21 minutes ago

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Drain dams now: big wet warning

[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 CHERBOURG SHIRE and parts of the GYMPIE, DALBY, SOUTH BURNETT and TOOWOOMBA Council Areas.

[somebody]

Reduce dam levels before Christmas: Newman
Laura Harding
October 27, 2011 - 2:07PM

Queensland's opposition party says dam levels should be dramatically reduced before Christmas.

Liberal National Party leader Campbell Newman says new forecasts for an above average wet season demonstrate the need for a precautionary approach.

"The good news is it is not the same extreme picture as last year, but there will be the potential for flooding across Queensland," he told Fairfax radio today.
Advertisement: Story continues below

"It's not like last year at this stage, and my message is preparedness.

"Our belief is (that) the prudent, sensible thing to do is run the dams down to around 75 per cent prior to Christmas."

He said dam levels should then be carefully managed in the first three months of next year, with a view to returning them to about 90 per cent by the end of the wet season.

"We think that's a prudent thing when so many people have been traumatised by this across the Brisbane area," Mr Newman said.

"I'm not being alarmist, but we have considered what the BoM (Bureau of Meteorology) have said and we are making our call. That is what we would be doing if we were in government."

The Bureau of Meteorology this week updated its summer forecast to warn the La Nina pattern, associated with above average rainfall, will reform.

But it's not expected to be as intense as last summer.

At least 35 people died and entire towns were evacuated when more than 70 per cent of the state flooded over December and January.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/reduce-dam-levels-before-christmas-newman-20111027-1mli8.html#ixzz1by2BVfvk

Doesn't Newman remember the water shortage?  What's with targeting 90% full at the end of the wet season?  When's it getting the remaining 10%, in the dry(er) season?

[Golliwog]

I'm sure he has good intentions, but I really think the politicians should butt out of things like that. There should be the dam manual that gives the overarching ideals for most scenarios, but at the end of the day, where the dam levels sit should come down to the dam managers and hydrologists/hydrological engineers. Sure, let the Minister have discussions and voice concerns with them, but the idea of some politician saying "Hey guys, 90% sounds like a good number" and having that acted on, because they say so it stupid.

[somebody]

I'm sure he has good intentions, but I really think the politicians should butt out of things like that.

If that had happened in 74, they would have released more water from Somerset which would have made the flood worse.

Have you read the dam manual?  I think the inquiry didn't go far enough, only saying "in an equivalent situation, water should be pre-released".  What about a 90% as bad situation, what then?  Leave it at 100%?  The inquiry just didn't cover that.

[ozbob]

A kind correspondent sent me a copy of 'Understanding floods: Questions & Answers'  a Queensland Government publication. 

Is available online --> http://www.chiefscientist.qld.gov.au/publications/understanding-floods.aspx

Worth checking out ...

[Golliwog]

That it is. They had a lecture type thing at the State Library when that came out which I attended.

Simon: Are you saying that the politicians should have a say in dam levels or not have a say? And no, I haven't read the new dam manual.

[somebody]

Simon: Are you saying that the politicians should have a say in dam levels or not have a say? And no, I haven't read the new dam manual.

People can't have it both ways.  Either the buck stops with the politicians or it doesn't.

If the politicians give a direction which is not against the rules, it should be followed.  In this case, the rules are far too lax, I would say, and allowed far too much water to be left in the dams.  Little would be different in a near-repeat it seems.

The other issue is that the thinking of how a flood event would be managed appears to have been kept from BCC land use planners.  Re: 3500m^3/s vs 4000m^3/s, which is a debacle.

[Golliwog]

But my problem is that politicians know very little about hydraulics, so putting them in charge is like letting a 4year old conduct open heart surgery. These decisions also wouldn't be easily made by a hydraulic engineer (or whatever you want to call them) but they would at least have a very strong understanding of what can happen and how best to avoid certain scenarios. It won't be perfect, but it's better than having some polly splashing his/her name across the papers saying "I'm going to save you, I've personally had the dams lowered to XX%."

[somebody]

But my problem is that politicians know very little about hydraulics, so putting them in charge is like letting a 4year old conduct open heart surgery. These decisions also wouldn't be easily made by a hydraulic engineer (or whatever you want to call them) but they would at least have a very strong understanding of what can happen and how best to avoid certain scenarios. It won't be perfect, but it's better than having some polly splashing his/her name across the papers saying "I'm going to save you, I've personally had the dams lowered to XX%."

A more proscriptive dam manual would prevent this.

Besides, that ignores my point that in 74 the pollies intervening did indeed save us from a bigger flood.

[Golliwog]

But my problem is that politicians know very little about hydraulics, so putting them in charge is like letting a 4year old conduct open heart surgery. These decisions also wouldn't be easily made by a hydraulic engineer (or whatever you want to call them) but they would at least have a very strong understanding of what can happen and how best to avoid certain scenarios. It won't be perfect, but it's better than having some polly splashing his/her name across the papers saying "I'm going to save you, I've personally had the dams lowered to XX%."

A more proscriptive dam manual would prevent this.

Besides, that ignores my point that in 74 the pollies intervening did indeed save us from a bigger flood.

So we should rely on a manual to tell everyone how to do it, rather than having people operating the dam know what they're doing? Besides being a poor way of doing things, I can see that leading to some possible scenario being overlooked when the manual is beign written and having the dam managers be unable to release the water (or do whatever it is they need to) because some condition in the manual hasn't been met.

I wasn't around it '74 so know very little of that, but did the pollies actually know what they were doing? Or was it just a lucky guess?

[somebody]

I absolutely think that the Natural Resources Minister should have over ruled the bureaucrats in Nov/Dec and insisted that the dam be dropped, with appropriate addendums to the manual, and I thought so at the time.  All manuals will generally allow for approvals to go against them, in case something unexpected happens.  But that wasn't the case in January - something expected happened.

I'm comfortable with the notion that if the politicians intervene, they will have to let the electorate judge them on their actions. I find the culture here being against political intervention or pre-emptive action on such major issues a bit strange.

Where does the buck stop in your world?

[Golliwog]

In my world, the polly shouldn't be involved in the running of the infrastructure. Should the transport minister be setting the train timetables? No, but they should be giving the board targets (ie: higher frequency, etc). The public servant should be doing the day to day work without having to get the minister to sign off on it if they need to do something different. Yes, the rain in January was 'expected' by if you could have told me that on those days we would have received as much rain as we did, and most importantly, where we did then you should definitely get a job with BOM.

[somebody]

In my world, the polly shouldn't be involved in the running of the infrastructure. Should the transport minister be setting the train timetables? No, but they should be giving the board targets (ie: higher frequency, etc). The public servant should be doing the day to day work without having to get the minister to sign off on it if they need to do something different. Yes, the rain in January was 'expected' by if you could have told me that on those days we would have received as much rain as we did, and most importantly, where we did then you should definitely get a job with BOM.

Now now, I don't need a job with the BoM (actually I work with them) or hindsight to know that there was an unprecedented risk last summer.  Why else was there an unprecedented cabinet briefing of the flood risks about a year ago?

You don't need to know which days it is going to rain to make a prudent risk managed decision, which it seems that the bureaucrats were reluctant to do. Either way, the buck rests with the pollies.

[ozbob]

Police, Corrective Services and Emergency Services
The Honourable Neil Roberts
30/10/2011

QUEENSLANDERS URGED TO GET READY

Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts today launched a $3.8 million public education campaign aimed at ensuring Queenslanders are prepared for this year's wet season.

Mr Roberts said the Get Ready Queensland campaign had been developed to help Queenslanders better understand potential weather-related hazards in their communities and provide advice on how to prepare, and where to find more information and assistance.

The campaign includes -
• a state-wide mail-out of the "Get Ready Queensland Guide" to more than 1.9 million letterboxes;
• an advertising campaign encouraging people to be prepared to cope at home if essential services and transport routes are cut; and
• an advertising campaign focusing on the dangers of driving over flooded roadways or playing in floodwaters.

"Less than 10 months ago Queensland was devastated by one of the worst series of natural disasters to impact our state, which included widespread flo oding and the most severe Tropical Cyclone to make landfall in 100 years," Mr Roberts said

"Tragically, more than 30 people lost their lives and three remain unaccounted for as a result of these disasters, with many Queenslanders still working to rebuild their lives and homes.

"Queensland is Australia's most disaster-prone state. But just as we are determined to rebuild our communities, infrastructure and transport links following our summer of devastation, we are equally determined that we will be the best prepared of any state to cope with natural disasters.

"That's not to say Queenslander's aren't already well-versed in preparing and responding to natural disasters - we want to encourage them to further enhance their preparations."

Mr Roberts said the Get Ready Queensland campaign had been developed in response to the interim recommendations of Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry and with the Bureau of Meteorology's prediction of another busy storm and cyclone season in mind.

"The Get Ready Queensland Guide will be sent to letterboxes across the state and will provide people with important information to help them assess the risks in their neighbourhood, develop an emergency plan for potential disaster situations, and to know where to go for information and who to call for help," he said.

"It will be supported by online resources and a comprehensive media campaign.

"We are also launching two television commercials that form part of our public education campaign.

"The first encourages all Queenslanders to prepare their households for the possibility that essential services like water and power, as well as roads, maybe be cut for an extended period.

"The key message is that everyone needs to be prepared to sit it out at home for a minimum of three days. This means having an emergency kit with a battery powered radio and torch, enough water and non-perishable food in the cupboard for a few days, as well as other essential items like medicine, sanitary products and pet food."

Mr Roberts said the second television commercial being launched aimed at discouraging people from driving through flood waters.

"Ever summer our emergency services agencies respond to incidents where people have ignored warnings and road closure signs, driven through flood water and become stuck," Mr Roberts said.

"Not only does this behaviour risk the lives of drivers and their passengers, often with tragic consequences, it also puts our rescue crews at risk.

"The message is simple. If it's flooded, forget it. Flood waters are deadly. Just a small amount of fast flowing flood water can wash any vehicle off a road, including four-wheel drives, and can also hide deep holes and washouts that can be lethal.

"The television advertisement will be supported by a social media campaign and a number of significant secondary public educatio n initiatives and events."

For more information on how to 'Get Ready' for the wet season visit www.qld.gov.au/Get Ready  (sic)  correct http://www.disaster.qld.gov.au/getready/

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

[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
SOUTHERN DOWNS and
SCENIC RIM Council Areas.

Issued at 6:11 pm Sunday, 30 October 2011.

[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, FLASH FLOODING and LARGE HAILSTONES

For people in the GOLD COAST CITY, LOCKYER VALLEY, SCENIC RIM and parts of the LOGAN CITY, IPSWICH CITY, SOUTHERN DOWNS and TOOWOOMBA Council Areas.

Issued at 7:45 pm Sunday, 30 October 2011.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 7:45 pm, very dangerous thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near Clifton and Allora.

These thunderstorms are moving towards the northeast.

Very dangerous thunderstorms are forecast to affect Felton and the area northwest of Cunninghams Gap by 8:15 pm and the area south of Toowoomba and Mulgowie by 8:45 pm.

Other severe thunderstorms were located near Cunninghams Gap, Oakington, Nimbin(NSW) and the area south of Cunninghams Gap.

They are forecast to affect Moogerah Dam and Aratula by 8:15 pm and Coolangatta and Boonah by 8:45 pm.

Damaging winds, very heavy rainfall, flash flooding and large hailstones are likely.

Estimated wind gusts to 90 km/hr were observed near Inglewood.
Wind gusts of 82 km/hr were observed at Warwick at 6:48pm.


http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR663.loop.shtml

[ozbob]

http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR663.loop.shtml

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

CANCELLATION SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING - SOUTHEAST QUEENSLAND
Issued at 5:29 pm Saturday, 12 November 2011.

Severe thunderstorms are no longer affecting the Southeast Queensland area (east of Dalby from Rainbow Beach to Stanthorpe). The immediate threat of severe thunderstorms has passed, but the situation will continue to be monitored and further warnings will be issued if necessary.

A more general severe thunderstorm warning remains current for parts of the Maranoa and Warrego, Darling Downs and Granite Belt and Southeast Coast districts.

[ozbob]

Finance, Natural Resources and The Arts
The Honourable Rachel Nolan
13/11/2011

Government to reduce Wivenhoe Dam levels

Minister for Natural Resources Rachel Nolan today announced her decision to lower Wivenhoe Dam levels following extensive expert advice.

Ms Nolan announced the full supply level of the Wivenhoe Dam, currently at 80 per cent would be reduced to 75 per cent. This is to prepare for the coming wet season and the decision has been made in accordance with recent amendments to the Water Act.

She said the recommendations stated Wivenhoe Dam should be reduced if the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) made a similar forecast to the 2011-12 wet season as last year's weather conditions that resulted in Queensland's summer of sorrow.

She said BoM presented its latest Australian Seasonal Climate Outlook to the Queensland Government advising "a moderate to high level of confidence that the rainfall over the November to January period will be above the long term median in southern Queensland and New South Wales."

"I have sought advice about the BoM's forecast from Seqwater, the Water Grid Manager, the Queensland Water Commission and the Department of Environment and Resource Management.

My advice is that if water levels are maintained at 75% going into the next wet season rather than being allowed to rise to 100% then in the event of a flood like last years the flood peak would be 0.3 metres lower at the Port Office (Brisbane CBD) gauge.

Ms Nolan said water would be released from Wivenhoe Dam beginning later this week and that Seqwater would launch a strategy to keep affected landholders informed.

She said releasing the water will close Twin Bridges and Savages Crossing for about 10-12 days but that Colleges Crossing would remain open.

"We are especially mindful of the possible impacts of releasing the water on bridges downstream from the dam and will be working with the community to keep them informed.

"While the bridge closures will be inconvenient I think the public can understand why we are taking this action," Ms Nolan said.

Ms Nolan said the decision had been made to not release water from the North Pine Dam as it would result in little flood mitigation benefit and isolate a community by threatening a critical bridge at Young's Crossing.

More info visit www.seqwater.com.au

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