Flood information - links

[ozbob]

Steady rain ..

BOM radar 1045 24th January 2012  http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR663.loop.shtml

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Heavy rain pummels southeast Queensland

[HappyTrainGuy]

Normal summer weather imo.

[ozbob]

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

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING - SOUTHEAST QUEENSLAND
for FLASH FLOODING

For people in parts of the
BRISBANE CITY,
MORETON BAY and
REDLAND CITY Council Areas.

Issued at 1:29 pm Tuesday, 24 January 2012.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 1:25 pm, very dangerous thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near Tangalooma, northern Moreton Bay and southern Moreton Island.

Very dangerous thunderstorms are forecast to affect Mud Island, Deception Bay waters and Bribie Island by 1:55 pm and Redcliffe, Scarborough and Beachmere by 2:25 pm.

Very heavy rainfall and flash flooding are likely.

A separate Severe Weather Warning is current for heavy rain for areas southeast of Bundaberg to Goondiwindi.

Emergency Management Queensland advises that people should:
* 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.

The next warning is due to be issued by 2:30 pm.

[ozbob]

From Queensland Times click here!

Rains bring flash floods to Goodna

Rains bring flash floods to Goodna

24th January 2012

FLASH flooding has hit parts of Goodna as heavy rain continues to falls across Ipswich.

Notorious trouble spots closed to traffic include Albert St and Smiths Rd, with Lower James St and parts of Woogaroo St likely to be closed in the next few hours.

Local councilor Paul Tully said no homes were threatened at this stage but the community was "on edge" as localised flooding intensified, bringing back memories of January 2011.

Cr Tully urged motorists and pedestrians to exercise extreme caution around Goodna over the next few hours.

Bit of over-excitement this.  Albert St floods if a flying fox p%sses on it .... rises and drops quickly.

[STB]

If anyone would like some detailed updates of what is happening and why and what might be expected, here is some videos from a local Storm Chaser who's currently in regular contact with BOM.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmMgOvfNttY&context=C384ce21ADOEgsToPDskKkUdaOv5zcLQFbs2qWx_hT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swn91aOSNfA&context=C3d43c90ADOEgsToPDskJR85WKXn8iS0XiL_DZ_7H3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KybVAuQ5d4Q&context=C31df96aADOEgsToPDskJvFiE5kM-4qjn4TNfhpmqj

[ozbob]

BOM radar 1645 24th January 2012  http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR663.loop.shtml

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Reports prompt last-minute flood hearings

Reports prompt last-minute flood hearings
Daniel Hurst
January 24, 2012 - 4:55PM

The Queensland flood inquiry will hold six more days of public hearings, following new questions over the management of Wivenhoe Dam during last year's downpour ...

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/reports-prompt-lastminute-flood-hearings-20120124-1qffb.html

[ozbob]

Premier and Minister for Reconstruction
The Honourable Anna Bligh
24/01/2012

STATEMENT FROM PREMIER ANNA BLIGH ON FLOOD COMMISSION OF INQUIRY

Earlier today I met with Commissioner Cate Holmes.

The Commissioner advised she would be holding further hearings and therefore would require an extension to the Inquiry's reporting date.

I advised I would be prepared to grant an extension.

I also advised the Commissioner the granting of such an extension could have implications for the timing of elections and this would require me to seek urgent legal advice on a number of options.

I am awaiting this advice and will make a further public statement once I have received and considered it.

ENDS.

[ozbob]

Premier and Minister for Reconstruction
The Honourable Anna Bligh
24/01/2012

STATEMENT FROM PREMIER ANNA BLIGH ON FLOOD COMMISSION OF INQUIRY

Earlier today I met with Commissioner Cate Holmes.

The Commissioner advised she would be holding further hearings and therefore would require an extension to the Inquiry's reporting date.

I advised I would be prepared to grant an extension.

I also advised the Commissioner the granting of such an extension could have implications for the timing of elections and this would require me to seek urgent legal advice on a number of options.

I am awaiting this advice and will make a further public statement once I have received and considered it.

ENDS.

For discussion re electoral implications see --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=6394.msg84824#msg84824

[ozbob]

BOM Radar 0325 hours 25th January 2012

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

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Australia Day celebrations in doubt

[ozbob]

TRAFFIC INFORMATION, QUEENSLAND

--> http://qldalert.com/

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/#!/berniethecool/status/161899273552797696/photo/1

Stones Corner bus station might be a bit wet ...

[ozbob]

Public transport delays and service alterations, being updated regularly --> http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/bulletin/1327368720

[ozbob]

http://images.brisbanetimes.com.au/2012/01/25/2913778/620-Defcon-flooding-620x0.jpg

Brisbanetimes --> Live blog: Dangerous weather extends into second day

[ozbob]

BOM Radar 0635 hours 25th January 2012

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

[ozbob]

http://images.brisbanetimes.com.au/2012/01/25/2913778/620-Defcon-flooding-620x0.jpg

Brisbanetimes --> Live blog: Dangerous weather extends into second day

Twitter

Robert_Dow Robert Dow
Always knew rail was superior didn't we? LOL --> http://t.co/6HeVm33m @brisbanetimes
47 seconds ago

[ozbob]

BOM Radar 0930 hours 25th January 2012

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



Appears to be easing some, moving more off shore ...

[ozbob]

Twitter

brisbanetimes Brisbane Times
In the last 24 hours, Brisbane CBD received its highest 24-hour rainfall total in 23 years: 168mm #bneweather
7 minutes ago

[ozbob]

I have lived in Queensland since 1969, except for a couple of years overseas and in Sydney.  The heavy rainfall was always part of life here, some flooding did occur but it didn't seem to cause the issues that it does today.  Thinking about this it is very clear that a lot of new development has paid scant regard to water courses, flood paths and so forth, and some of the new developments, concrete and clay, have contributed to changing water flows and so forth which impacts on areas that always were generally sound.  The flash floods in Toowoomba were related to that in part.

It is not only transport that has been badly botched, one has to query is our system of government actually working for the good of the community or the party?

Spin and media engagement is the main pre-occupation ...  impacts on the media was cited this morning by the Premier as one reason to move the dates etc.  Huh?

Mediocre governments and mediocre oppositions = mediocrity.

[ozbob]

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

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
UPDATED SEVERE WEATHER WARNING
for Heavy Rain

For people in parts of the Southeast Coast district and parts of the Wide Bay
and Burnett and Darling Downs and Granite Belt districts.
Issued at 11:15 am on Wednesday 25 January 2012

Synoptic Situation: An upper level low lies over southwestern Queensland and is
forecast to move slowly west tonight and on Thursday. Moist and unstable NE
winds currently extend into southeast Queensland.

At 10:50am EST, the heaviest rain was located near coastal areas south of
Bundaberg, and the Gold Coast hinterland, with the highest hourly totals between
40-50mm. A separate severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for very heavy
rain and flash flooding. 

Heavy rainfall has been recorded near the coastal and adjacent inland areas
between the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast during the night.  The highest
rainfall totals to 9am EST today were Lower Springbrook 313mm, Sugarbag Road
287mm, Meridan Way 270mm, Bracken Ridge 265mm, Deception Bay 257mm, Redcliffe
234mm.

Widespread heavy showers, a few thunderstorms and rain areas are likely to
continue over areas southeast of about Bundaberg to Texas, with locally heavy
falls in excess of 100mm possible over the next 24 hours. Locations which may be
affected include Gympie, Toowoomba, the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Ipswich, the
Gold Coast and Warwick.

Flood Warnings are current for various coastal rivers and streams in southeast
Queensland. Refer to www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings.

[ozbob]

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/bulletin/1327368720

Public transport delays due to flooding

Customers may experience delays to bus, train and ferry services due to the wet conditions and localised flooding.

Please be patient and take care as you enter and exit public transport and when using bus and train stations and fery terminals.

We appreciate your patience.

Buses

Due to localised flooding on the following streets, buses are currently using local diversions. As a result, some stops may not be serviced. Customers should expect delays.

Brisbane:

    CityGlider - Commercial Road, Tenneriffe
    196, 199 - Sydney Street at New Farm
    220, 221, 227  - Manly Road at New Cleveland (Tingalpa): Diverting via Manly Rd, New Cleveland Rd, StanboroughRd, Grassdale Rd, Belmont Rd, Wynnum Rd.
    200 -  Deshon Street (Stones Corner): Diverting by continuing along Old Cleveland  then via Logan Rd.
    225 - Manly Rd (Tingalpa):  Diverting via Bognor  Rd, Manly Rd, New Cleveland Rd, StanboroughRd, Grassdale Rd, Belmont Rd, Wynnum Rd.
    300, 301 - Widdop Street (Nundah): Diverting by continuing along Junction Rd, then Sandgate Rd into Toombul Shopping Centre.
    306, 322 - Edmonstone Rd (Newstead)
    300, 322, 326, 327 - Sandgate and Abbotsford Road, Albion
    334, P339, 346, 353 - Northey Street, Windsor

Due to local flooding in the area, the elevators at Stones Corner busway station have broken down. Customers with mobility issues are advised to use to Buranda or Langlands Park busway stations. 

Moreton Bay and Caboolture area:

    Beachmere Road, Beachmere - Route 652 is not running.
    Arthur Drewett Drive, Burpengary - Route 660 is under local diversions due to Arthur Drewett Drive being closed. Delays are also being experienced due to flooding on Deception Bay Road (near the police station).
    Route 643 and 640 services are running between North Street and Aylward Road, Ningi only. Access to Caboolture train station is blocked due to flooding.
    Route 653 and 654 services have resumed normal running as from 9.10am.
    Todds Road, Lawnton - Route 672 buses will divert via Isis Road, Hanson Drive back into Francis Road to Youngs Crossing Road. There will be no pickups on Todds Road until further notice.
    Henry Road, Griffin - Route 676 buses will divert via McClintock Drive to Brays Road. Up to 40 minute delays are being experienced due to heavy traffic conditions.
    Rail Bus (Route 649) between Caboolture and Nambour train stations is on diversion - it can't access Elimbah, Mooloolah, Eudlo, Palmwoods and Woombye train stations.
    Routes 315 and 680 are running up to an 30 minutes late due to heavy traffic conditions.

Logan:

Services are delayed up to 15 minutes in the area. The following diversions are in place:

    Clarks Road, Loganholme - Routes 553 and 566, stops on Clarks Road will be missed
    Fryar Road, Eagleby - Route 563, diversions will mean that the section of Fryar Road between Sunscape Drive and River Hills Road will not be serviced
    Boundary Street, Beenleigh - Route 562 and 562B inbound and outbound will use Kokoda Street and Bougainville Street in both directions.
    Boundary Road is also water affected, so diversion being used is Kokoda and Boganville Street.
    Pauline Street / Kurrajong Drive, Marsden - Route 550 and 551 will not service Homestead Street, Kurrajong Drive, Tamarind Street (Marsden Park Shops)
    Route 560 is diverting via Lambeth Street and Bayliss Road.
    Route 552 - Inbound will operate the Pacific Motorway from Logan Hyperdome to Nujooloo Road Exit - this means Shailer Road will not be serviced. Outbound 552 buses will divert via the Pacific Motorway from Winnetts Road to Logan Hyperdome.

Ipswich:

    Westside Bus services are operating as normal at this stage however flooding may impact services through the Goodna area, particularly route 524 and school routes 5, 27, 1, 22, 13.

Bayside:

    South Street - Route 272 buses are being diverted from South Street
    Nelson Road - Route 255 buses are being between Nelson Road and Pitt Road and Tulloch Road
    Serpentine Road - Route 280 is impacted by flooding at Serpentine Road, buse will terminate and commence at corner Phillip and Serpentine.

Mt Gravatt and Capalaba:

    Mount Gravatt Capalaba Road - Route 260 (services from 7.05am - 12.05pm) will travel express to Capalaba via Redland Bay Road/Moreton Bay Road/Mt Cotton Road
    Route 260 (services from 1.10pm - 6.10pm) will travel ex QEII to Capalaba via Mt Cotton Road.  This service will not travel via the section of Mt Gravatt Capalaba Road which borders the northern wall of the Leslie Harrison Dam.
    Route 261 (am and pm services) will travel via Priestdale/Rochedale/Ford/Grieve Road. This service will not travel via Ford Road between the intersection of Ford/Kloske or Ford/Grieve due to several creek crossings.
    School service 8003 will not travel via Ford Road or Avalon Road. All affected passengers must connect with the service at the Avalon Road interchange located on Mt Cotton Road.
    School service 8001 will travel via Priestdale/Rochedale/Ford/Grieve Road. This service will not travel via Ford Road between the intersection of Ford/Kloske or Ford/Grieve due to several creek crossing.

Gold Coast:

    Diversions are being handled as they arise and will constantly change. Some stops will be missed.
    Even routes not affected by flooding such as the busy route 700 (Australia Fair to Tweed Mall) and 702 (Southport to Airport via Burleigh heads) are impacted due to weather and traffic
    The following routes are being diverted with delays of up to an hour:
        3 Oxenford to Southport
        4 Broadbeach to West Burleigh
        5 Coombabah to Broadbeach
        14 Southport to Helensvale
        15 Southport to Arundel Crest
        18 Southport to Pacific Fair
        18a Southport to Molendinar
        706 The Pines to Paradise Point
        715 Helensvale Station to Southport and Seaworld
        725 Helensvale to Dreamworld
        726 Helensvale to Coomera Waters
        727 Helensvale to Western Coomera
        748 Nerang to Bond University
        750 Mudgeeraba to SeaWorld
        755 Pacific Fair to Robina

Sunshine Coast:

    At this stage some roads are closed around Bli Bli and some areas of Kinda Park. There will be some disruptions to routes 602 and 612.

School services:

Unless listed, school services are operating as normal:

Thompsons Bus Service:

The following school services are expected to have delays of up to 20 minutes with diversions in place:

    Routes 6823, 6824, 6850, 6851, 6852, 6860, 6861, 6862, 6863, 6870, 6871
    Routes 6800 (Youngs Crossing Road, Joyner),  6801 (Todds Road, Lawnton), 6821 (Youngs Crossing Road, Joyner), 6822 (Youngs Crossing Road, Joyner), 6832 (Henry Rd, Griffin), 6870 (Todds Road, Lawnton)

Bribie Island Bus Service:

    Local Bribie Island school services will run.
    No Bribie Island Bus Lines school services to Caboolture are running including Tullawong High School and Tullawong Primary School, Caboolture State High School, St Peter's School, St Paul's School, Grace-Lutheran (Caboolture), St Columban's College, Caboolture East State School, Caboolture State School and St Michael's School.

Caboolture Bus Lines:

    Caboolture Bus Lines school runs are operating except for: 7201, 7202, 7211, 7207, 7210, 7217, 7227, 7220

Hornibrooks Bus Lines:

    All services that do not cross the Rothwell Roundabout may be delayed but local Peninsula services are unaffected.

Surfside:

    School buses in the area are experiencing delays of up to an hour

Trains

At this stage there are only some minor delays due to the wet weather conditions.
Ferries

Due to an oil spill in the area, CityCat services to Northshore Ferry Terminal are suspended.
Other services are running as per normal.

[ozbob]

BOM Radar 1215 hours 25th January 2012

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

[ozbob]

QPSmedia QPS Media Unit
Live #bigwet media conference with Premier Anna Bligh starting shortly livestream.com/communitysafety http://t.co/JH4PSGkO
2 minutes ago

[ozbob]

Premier and Minister for Reconstruction
The Honourable Anna Bligh
25/01/2012

AUSTRALIA DAY CELEBRATIONS AT SOUTH BANK CANCELLED

The Queensland Government has cancelled the annualAustralia Day celebrations scheduled tomorrow at South Bank due to continuing heavy rain across South East Queensland.

Premier Anna Bligh said that with theweather bureau forecasting showers and possible storms tomorrow, tomorrow's events have been cancelled.

The events cancelled include the Australia Day Festival including fireworks, AusSounds Concert, Multi-Faith Ceremony and Flag Raising Ceremony.

"It is disappointing that we have had to make the hard decision to cancel what was a great program on our national day of celebration, particularly after the cancellation of many events in 2011 due to the floods in South East Queensland," Ms Bligh said.

"Unfortunately Mother Nature is not going to let up on us, and in this instance we must put safety first.

"I appreciate all Queenslanders support in this decision and trust you are still able to enjoy your day celebrating what's great about Australia with family and friends.

"I would like to sincerely thank our Australia Day Festival sponsors and media partners who have supported our decision -Australian Unity, Network Ten, The Courier-Mail, B105, Triple M, 4BC, 4BH and South Bank Corporation as well as our many event partners, performers and suppliers including the Australian Defence Force, our multi-faith representatives and Queensland Police."

For further updates, visit the Queensland Australia Day facebook page at www.facebook.com/australiadayqueensland or phone 3405 5215 during business hours.

The Australia Day Lunch, the first major corporate event in Queensland for 2012, was held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre today where more than 800 people celebrated Australia Day and Queensland's achievements over the past year.

The 21 gun salute, one of the formalities of Australia Day, will still be held. Where possible, the Australia Day Ambassadors Program will still proceed.

Australia Day activities in Queensland are proudly supported by the Queensland Government and assisted by the Australian Government through the National Australia Day Council.

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

[somebody]

I have lived in Queensland since 1969, except for a couple of years overseas and in Sydney.  The heavy rainfall was always part of life here, some flooding did occur but it didn't seem to cause the issues that it does today.  Thinking about this it is very clear that a lot of new development has paid scant regard to water courses, flood paths and so forth, and some of the new developments, concrete and clay, have contributed to changing water flows and so forth which impacts on areas that always were generally sound.  The flash floods in Toowoomba were related to that in part.

It is not only transport that has been badly botched, one has to query is our system of government actually working for the good of the community or the party?

Spin and media engagement is the main pre-occupation ...  impacts on the media was cited this morning by the Premier as one reason to move the dates etc.  Huh?

Mediocre governments and mediocre oppositions = mediocrity.

Some say that the people get the governments they deserve.

[ozbob]

BOM Radar 1450 hours 25th January 2012

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

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Wivenhoe woes a concern from start to finish

Wivenhoe woes a concern from start to finish
Daniel Hurst
January 26, 2012 - 3:00AM

The flood inquiry hearings began last year with questions about Wivenhoe Dam.

And, when the hastily convened final round of hearings kicks off next week, the focus will return to southeast Queensland's biggest dam, amid new claims of mismanagement and misleading evidence.

The first week of Brisbane hearings in April 2011 was largely dominated by whether engineers properly took predicted rainfall into account when managing the dam in the days leading up to the city's inundation in January, and ambiguity in the operating manual.

Next week's hearings, triggered by a series of articles in The Australian this week, are likely to focus on whether earlier assertions about when the dam water release strategy was upgraded to "W3" were accurate.

It comes after the newspaper raised concerns internal documents and emails did not support the official line from dam operator Seqwater, and, further, that the alleged failure to move to this strategy quickly enough could represent a breach of the official dam manual that guides water releases, potentially jeopardising the state's legal immunity.

(Seqwater vigorously denies the thrust of the allegations but has admitted to poor record keeping during the flood event.)

The announcement of the extra hearings yesterday prompted an extension of the inquiry's imminent February 24 reporting deadline and an announcement by Premier Anna Bligh of a delay to planned state and council election dates.

The Ws

So what are the water release strategies at the centre of the scrutiny?

Seqwater's lead flood engineer, Robert Ayre, explained the differences between the water release strategies – in increasing target size of releases from W1 to W4 – when he fronted the inquiry during its first full days of hearings in April.

"Initially the entry level for a particular flood is strategy W1 and the focus of that particular strategy is really the minimising the disruption to the downstream valley, and effectively that means trying to prevent the inundation prematurely of a number of the low-level bridges situated downstream of Wivenhoe Dam," Mr Ayre said.

"Strategy W2 really is a transition strategy between strategies W1 and W3, where it may be possible to prevent the inundation of all except the two larger bridges, which is Mt Crosby Weir Bridge and Fernvale Bridge. So it has a limiting capacity in there. But it is designed to limit the flows to the naturally occurring flows that emanate out of the Lockyer and Bremer River if possible.

"Strategy 3 really reflects the objective of trying to maximise protection to the downstream urban areas, and then strategy 4 is focused predominantly on maintaining the structural integrity of the dam itself."

Mr Ayre said decisions on the right release strategy depended on the "predicted lake level" of the Wivenhoe Dam – which stores drinking water but also notionally has extra room to hold water as a flood mitigation measure.

Weighing the impacts

At the time, the inquiry was told engineers delayed activating the highest emergency water release stage, W4, because they didn't want to "needlessly" inundate properties downstream, noting the uncertainty of further rainfall forecasts and the possibility there would be extra space in the dam's flood buffer.

Mr Ayre told the inquiry his team activated W4 – which allowed larger water releases and had no specific limit on the scale of these discharges – about 8am on Tuesday, January 11.

Under questioning, Mr Ayre accepted suggestions the team had the flexibility to move to W4 five hours earlier, or 36 hours earlier if it took into account predicted rainfall pushing up the dam level.

However, Mr Ayre said the team hoped it would be able to contain releases to the 4000 cubic metres a second allowed under W3 in order to minimise impacts on downstream communities.

He said intense rainfall began at 5am on the Tuesday and operators moved to stage W4 a short time later, with the structural safety of the dam given the highest priority under this strategy.

Analysis suggests the outflows from Wivenhoe Dam into the Brisbane River ramped up from 2750 cubic metres a second on the morning of Tuesday, January 11, to 7500 cubic metres that night.

The Brisbane River city gauge level peaked on the morning of Thursday, January 13.

Focus shifts to middle step

In light of the reports in The Australian of the last few days, the focus has shifted to when the earlier W3 release strategy was activated, in contrast with the inquiry's attention to the W4 activation.

W3 has a focus on preventing urban inundation in places like Brisbane and allows release rates up to 4000 cubic metres a second. However, calculations of other inflows downstream also come into play because the strategy additionally aims to limit the flow in the Brisbane River at Moggill to 4000 cubic metres a second (the maximum possible to ensure "non-damaging floods downstream").

The newspaper, citing technical reports, emails, memos, flood log entries and other documents, argues W3 was not invoked at 8am on Saturday, January 8, as claimed publicly (and as required by the flood manual).

It has said actual releases of water were consistent with W1 remaining in place for up to two days later, until Monday, January 10.

W3 theoretically allows more than double the 1900 cubic metre a second maximum release permitted under W1, when the goal of minimising disruptions to rural life (such as minor bridge closures) is prioritised.

To put these figures in context, the amount of water flowing into the dam was between 1000 and 2000 cubic metres a second on January 8, with the inflows peaking at 10,000 cubic metres a second on January 10 and 11,500 on January 11.

By the evening of January 11, authorities had ramped up the amount of water being released from the dam to a peak of 7500 cubic metres a second.

Mr Ayre, who insisted W3 had been engaged at 8am on the Saturday, was asked about a situation report at 5.53pm that day discussing the need to engage strategy W2, the transitional phase between W1 and W3.

"I do acknowledge that I had inadvertently recorded strategy W2 at that point in time but recognise that that wasn't correct, we had transitioned into W3 earlier in the day," he told the inquiry in April.

'Baseless' claims

Seqwater declined to answer specific questions yesterday, but pointed to its Monday statement dismissing claims it breached its operational manual as "inaccurate and unfounded".

"Further, the implied allegation that Seqwater (and its engineers) gave misleading evidence to the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry is baseless and is utterly rejected," the body said.

It said the commission's interim report noted the flood operations centre logs for January 8, 2011, did not record the transition to W3 and recommended such documents outline when decisions are made to transition from one strategy to the next.

"Seqwater has accepted and implemented this recommendation," it said, vowing to fully co-operate with the commission.

All of these claims are now set to be tested during a new round of hearings beginning late next week in Brisbane, with Seqwater bosses and engineers expected to be called to be questioned again.

The $15 million commission, headed by Court of Appeal judge Catherine Holmes, accepted in its interim report on August 1 that W3 was activated on January 8 as claimed.

The new hearings were convened followed the media stories this week and "the commission's own review of evidence", a spokesman said.

Seqwater, which has previously rejected criticism that it did not ramp up Wivenhoe Dam water releases quickly enough and then had to discharge large amounts just before the Brisbane flood peak, pointed to a report produced for the flood inquiry by independent expert Mark Babister.

Mr Babister said with the benefit of hindsight, an earlier escalation of the dam outflow rate would have reduced the ultimate peak release discharge downstream of Moggill, including at the Brisbane CBD.

"However it appears that earlier releases could have exacerbated flooding at Ipswich and the lower Lockyer Valley," he wrote.

Mr Babister examined three separate reviews of the dam's operation, saying those authors had concluded that the dam manual had been followed by Seqwater's dam engineers.

However he noted one report found some evidence of "internal ambiguity" surrounding the shift to the W2 strategy, as there was confusion as to whether "predicted" or "observed" rainfall was used at gauges at Lowood or Moggill.

Any such ambiguity over the dam's operation will now go under the microscope for a final time, before the inquiry releases its finished report by the new mid-March deadline.

- with Tony Moore

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/wivenhoe-woes-a-concern-from-start-to-finish-20120125-1qhz4.html

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Get in quick for a backyard barbie - the rain's coming back

[ozbob]

http://www.ewnalert.com/012704.htm

Southeast QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Flash Flooding

Source: Bureau of Meteorology
For people in the MORETON BAY and parts of the BRISBANE CITY, GOLD COAST CITY, SUNSHINE COAST and SOMERSET Council Areas.

Issued at 4:28 am Friday, 27 January 2012.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 4:30 am, severe thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near Caboolture, Beachmere, Mount Mee and Wamuran. They are forecast to affect Redcliffe, Miami, Lake Samsonvale and Deception Bay waters by 5:00 am and Strathpine, Tallebudgera, Brighton and Bribie Island by 5:30 am.

Very heavy rainfall and flash flooding are likely.

Rainfall of 111mm in 2 hours was recorded at Bribie Island at 3:30am.
Rainfall of 87mm in 2 hours was recorded at Round Mountaint Reservoir (north of Caboolture) at 3:30am.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Bridges that helped sink Brisbane

[ozbob]

If anyone would like some detailed updates of what is happening and why and what might be expected, here is some videos from a local Storm Chaser who's currently in regular contact with BOM.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmMgOvfNttY&context=C384ce21ADOEgsToPDskKkUdaOv5zcLQFbs2qWx_hT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swn91aOSNfA&context=C3d43c90ADOEgsToPDskJR85WKXn8iS0XiL_DZ_7H3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KybVAuQ5d4Q&context=C31df96aADOEgsToPDskJvFiE5kM-4qjn4TNfhpmqj

Since you posted these links, I checked them out.  He was spot on about the low coming down from Darwin, via west - central Queensland and into Northern NSW.

--> http://www.youtube.com/user/Higginsstormchasing

[Jonno]

Couriermail --> Bridges that helped sink Brisbane

Again we should highlight the Out of Balance importance that is given to roads.  This is not the operators fault as our society has put "free-flowing roads" up above most human rights in level of importance!

[ozbob]

Premier and Minister for Reconstruction
The Honourable Anna Bligh
31/01/2012

Floods Commission of Inquiry seeks further Statements

The Floods Commission of Inquiry has issued a number of new requirements for statements to the Commission Premier Anna Bligh said today.

Ms Bligh said her office had been notified last night of requests for further statements from Minister for Energy and Water Utilities Stephen Robertson, UK Trade Commission Ken Smith, DPC Director General John Bradley, DERM DG Jim Reeves and ADG Debbie Best.

The written statements must be provided under oath or affirmation to the COI by Wednesday 4pm this week and are concerned with their state of knowledge regarding the operating of Wivenhoe Dam during the time of the floods.

"I have said from the very first day that I initiated this enquiry that I wanted to leave no stone unturned and it is for that reason that I welcome the Commissioners requests for further statements," said the Premier.

"The people of Queensland have a right to know exactly what happened and what can be done in the future to prevent it happening again.

"I expect every person who has been asked to provide information to the Commission to do so.

"I am confident that the Commission of inquiry, which as all the powers of a Royal Commission, will examine all the information available to them and provide clarity to the people of Queensland and that is exactly what they were established to do."

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

[somebody]

Wivenhoe FSL: 1165 GL
Somerset FSL: 379.8 GL
Wivenhoe flood storage above FSL: 1420 GL
Somerset flood storage above FSL: 524 GL

Rain falling above Wivenhoe and/or Somerset: 2650 GL

In case anyone is interested.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Levee at Charleville holding as flood fears ease

[ozbob]

Premier and Minister for Reconstruction
The Honourable Anna Bligh
05/02/2012

St George to face record flooding

Premier Anna Bligh and St George Mayor Donna Stewart have urged people living in St George to evacuate the town in the face of record flooding.

BOM experts indicate that the flooding is expected to reach the record of 13.4m at 6am Monday morning, with further rises with the potential to exceed 14m on Tuesday.

Whilst the extent of potential flooding in St George is still not certain, the volume of water approaching the town in the next 24 to 48 hours is significant, and the advice to evacuate is undertaken in the interest of public safety

Those who have vehicles are asked to leave as soon as possible and go to family and friends in other towns not affected by flooding.

A gathering point is being established at the Showgrounds with police and SES assisting. Police are registering the details of people evacuating at this point.

If you know someone who does not have transport, please ensure their safety, and, if possible, assist them to leave town.

For those who have nowhere to go, emergency evacuation facilities are being established at Dalby Showgrounds and PCYC.

Those people moving to the evacuation centre should bring:

    clothes and bedding
    copies of important personal documents
    medications, nappies, baby formula etc to last a number of days.

There will be facilities for pets at Dalby. Owners should ensure their pets are appropriately restrained. Please bring food and medications for your pets for a number of days.

Bus transport is being arranged for those who have no access to private transport. Passengers will be allowed to bring limited baggage.

People transported from St George by bus will be taken to the evacuation centres at Dalby. People are asked to register for evacuation assistance on 07 46208 888.

Queensland Health is in the process of evacuating nursing home and hospital patients are being evacuated to the Gold Coast and Brisbane. Family members should contact the facilities to establish where their loved ones will be moved to.

Efforts are being made with the RSPCA to care for pets and animals at St George that are unable to be moved from the town.

At this stage residents are being urged to consider evacuation on a voluntary basis. However, authorities are awaiting further technical advice about likely river peaks and may have to implement a compulsory evacuation of St George in the next 24 hours. A decision on this issue is expected later this afternoon.

Residents are advised that in the event of a compulsory evacuation, it will not be possible to take pets on air or bus transport.

Pets and animals will not be able to be transported by emergency aircraft.

Authorities are keeping a close watch on towns near St George and contingency planning is underway for those centres.

People in St George or on surrounding properties who need advice are asked to call 07 4620 8888.

Further advice will be provided as more information becomes available, including whether required evacuation will be activated.

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

[ozbob]

Twitter

612brisbane ABC Radio Brisbane
RT @Schrinner: Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has confirmed residents of St George are being evacuated to Brisbane's RNA showgrounds tonight.
1 hour ago

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612brisbane ABC Radio Brisbane
RT @Schrinner: The first evacuees are expected in Brisbane around 8pm tonight. BCC buses from the airport to the RNA evacuation centre
1 hour ago

[ozbob]

http://www.ewnalert.com/020707.htm

QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Large Hail, Flash Flooding, Damaging Winds

Source: Bureau of Meteorology
For people in the Darling Downs and Granite Belt and parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields, Central West, Capricornia, Wide Bay and Burnett and Maranoa and Warrego Forecast Districts.

Issued at 1:14 pm Tuesday, 7 February 2012.

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 Warwick, Dalby, Roma, Stanthorpe, Mitchell, Taroom, Monto, Rolleston, Baralaba, Springsure and Goondiwindi.