Flood information - links

[somebody]

Here is what the final report actually said on pages 527-8:

The consequences of the failure to engage W3 from 8.00 am on 8 January 2011
It is unfortunate that there has been a conflation in some media reporting of two separate issues: whether there
was non-compliance with the manual strategies and whether it caused unnecessary flooding. The Commission has
found the first (see 16.11 Conclusions: the dam operations strategies.) As to the second, Mr Babister's perception was
that the flood engineers managed Wivenhoe Dam so that its flood mitigation effect was 'very close' to the maximum
achievable within the constraints of the manual.1037 That may well be right. The problem is that the possibility
exists that because the engineers failed to consider the releases open to them within the parameters of the correct W
strategy, an opportunity may have been lost for earlier releases.

The evidence was uniformly to the effect that the pattern of releases adopted on Saturday 8 January was appropriate:
the lake level was only just over 68.5 metres and showed every sign of dropping; higher releases would have been
risky and unwarranted. The picture is not so clear for Sunday 9 January, when the rainfall returned. Mr Tibaldi
described how conditions that day developed. Referring to the 'massive amount of rainfall', particularly in the
Stanley River catchment, he explained that its imminence was not obvious at the start of the day:

So what you've got to realise is you don't have that snapshot at 8 a.m. all you've got is, well, it's raining and
I've got a 30 to 50 millimetre forecast. But as it progresses through the day, you know, you become aware
that this is getting big and, you know, you just come to that – you're in transition. You are thinking about the
bridges but then all of a sudden as you progress through the day you see, well, this just can't continue. We've
got to ramp up releases.

The real question is whether the steps taken to do so would have come sooner had the engineers had a clear
appreciation that they were operating in W3, and whether they should on that day have been moving earlier to
minimise urban inundation rather than continuing to operate so as to keep the bridges open until the evening of
9 January 2011.

The possibility that the engineers moved too late was acknowledged by Mr Roads, who said that while on Sunday
morning, 9 January 2011, the flood engineers were 'pretty much releasing what they should have been', by Sunday
afternoon 'it's starting to get touch and go really... in hindsight you look back at it and say Sunday afternoon maybe
[they] should have taken down the bridges a bit earlier'.1038

Mr Babister initially said that 'the more practical or realistic options if you were going to have higher releases, is to
start some time after midday or somewhere between midday and 1600 hours. That's when it would be realistic on
the 9th to increase flows above what was released';1039 although he subsequently modified that view to say that the
'only area' that there was 'some argument they probably could have released slightly higher flows' was after
4.00 pm that afternoon.1040 The scenario of higher releases on the afternoon of 9 January, Mr Babister said, was
most closely reflected in scenario 9 of Figure 16.1; but it was 'an adventurous risk-taking approach' because it relied
on confidence in the rainfall forecast.1041

Mr Shannon's view was that given the 'frightening' inflow by 2.00 pm on 9 January and the predicted lake level it
would be 'extraordinary' not to have put the closure of the bridges in train by then, in accordance with the intention
of W3.1042 And Mr Tibaldi volunteered in evidence that 'decid[ing] to ramp up earlier for this event... would have
reduced flood damage'.1043 Mr Ayre agreed.1044

There is, it is obvious, plenty of scope for argument about whether adherence to the manual strategies would have
made a difference to the way in which the flood engineers actually operated the dam; but the possibility certainly
exists that they would have responded more quickly to the developing conditions of 9 January had their mindset
been one of applying strategy W3. Ascertaining the practical result of acting more quickly also is subject to the
uncertainties inherent in the modelling; but again, the possibility exists of at least some improvement in the
flooding outcome for Brisbane and Ipswich.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> New fears Wivenhoe Dam is at breaking point as it reaches 99.4 per cent capacity

[somebody]

What an idiot!  Why are such fools listened to?

The SOI is in El Nino (slightly).  God forbid the dam should be full leading into a period of low rainfall.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> CMC clears Wivenhoe Dam engineers

Couriermail -->
CMC exonerates Wivenhoe Dam engineers Robert Ayre, Terry Malone and John Tibaldi over conduct during 2011 floods

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Flooding safeguard for inner-city properties

[ozbob]

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

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

For people in the MORETON BAY and parts of the BRISBANE CITY, LOCKYER VALLEY, SOMERSET and TOOWOOMBA Council Areas.

Issued at 2:03 pm Friday, 21 September 2012.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 2:05 pm, severe thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near Murphy's Creek and Esk. These thunderstorms are moving towards the east. They are forecast to affect the area southwest of Esk and northern Lake Wivenhoe by 2:35 pm and the area south of Esk, Dayboro and Mount Mee by 3:05 pm.

Damaging winds and large hailstones are likely.

An 87km/hr wind gust was recorded at Oakey at 1:28pm.

[ozbob]

Couriermail -->
Multi-billion dollar lawsuit in wake of report backing Wivenhoe Dam flood engineers

[ozbob]

From Toowoomba Mail 27th September 2012 page 2

Work recognised

Work recognised

RECOVERY works on the Toowoomba Range railway following the devastating 2011 floods were among three Thiess projects recognised in the Engineers Australia 2012 Queensland Engineering Excellence Awards. The Toowoomba Range Railway flood recovery works received the Excellence Award was a joint effort between Thiess, Queensland Rail and Golder Associates. The recovery work was completed three months ahead of schedule and injected $30 million into the local economy through the use of local suppliers and labour.

[ozbob]

Been awhile ...

BOM 2.44pm 11th October 2012

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

[ozbob]

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING - SOUTHEAST QUEENSLAND
for DAMAGING WIND
http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20038.html

For people in parts of the
GYMPIE and
SUNSHINE COAST Council Areas.

Issued at 2:49 pm Thursday, 11 October 2012.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 2:45 pm, severe thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near Noosa Heads. These thunderstorms are moving towards the southeast. They are forecast to affect Lake Cooloola by 3:15 pm.

Damaging winds are likely.

[ozbob]

Couriermail Quest --> High tide expected to cause flooding in low-lying areas on the Bayside

[ozbob]

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

Some possible storms on the way ..

[ozbob]

BOM radar 10.20am 17 November 2012

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

[ozbob]

Early Warning Network

Severe Weather Forecast

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

Saturday 17 November

Storms very likely today across the Southeast Coast. Severe storms will be likely for all areas apart from the Gold Coast region. Potential for "high end severe storms" over the western and northern parts of the Southeast Coast district.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Massive storm hits Brisbane suburbs

[HappyTrainGuy]

Just absolutely p%ssed  down is an understatement.

[ozbob]

Twitter

10m Vanessa Croll Vanessa Croll ‏@VanessaCroll

Kelvin Grove markets have just been annihilated! Big cleanup ahead #bnestorm http://t.co/EIF88aHk

[techblitz]

b.o.m facebook page is getting hammered with compalints about thier late storm warning.Love it

[red dragin]

Twitter

10m Vanessa Croll Vanessa Croll ‏@VanessaCroll

Kelvin Grove markets have just been annihilated! Big cleanup ahead #bnestorm http://t.co/EIF88aHk

About an 8 inch diameter tree snapped [like a car hit it] just up the hill (to the left) of that shot.

Wind tunnel effect must have been amazing through there.

[ozbob]

http://www.ewnalert.com/111707.htm

QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Large Hail, Heavy Rain, Destructive Winds

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

Issued at 4:33 pm Saturday, 17 November 2012.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce destructive winds, heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and large hailstones over the next several hours in the Darling Downs and Granite Belt and parts of the Southeast Coast districts. Locations which may be affected include Warwick, Toowoomba, Dalby, Stanthorpe, Oakey and Goondiwindi.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds over the next several hours in parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields, Central West and Maranoa and Warrego districts. Locations which may be affected include Roma, Barcaldine, Mitchell, Tambo, Springsure and Carnarvon National Park.

[ozbob]

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

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING - SOUTHEAST QUEENSLAND
for DESTRUCTIVE WIND, HEAVY RAINFALL and LARGE HAILSTONES

For people in the SOMERSET and parts of the BRISBANE CITY, LOCKYER VALLEY, MORETON BAY, IPSWICH CITY, SOUTH BURNETT and TOOWOOMBA Council Areas.

Issued at 7:11 pm Saturday, 17 November 2012.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 7:15 pm, very dangerous thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near the area between Crows Nest and Cooyar. These thunderstorms are moving towards the northeast. Very dangerous thunderstorms are forecast to affect Blackbutt, Yarraman and the area north of Cooyar by 7:45 pm and the area west of Kilcoy, Moore, Linville, Nanango and the area east of Nanango by 8:15 pm.

Other severe thunderstorms were located near Gatton, Grantham, Hampton and the area north of Gatton. They are forecast to affect the area south of Esk, the area southwest of Esk, the area west of Esk and Hatton Vale by 7:45 pm and Esk, the area northwest of Esk, Fernvale, southern Lake Wivenhoe, northern Lake Wivenhoe and Toogoolawah by 8:15 pm.

Destructive winds, heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and large hailstones are likely.

8-10cm hail was reported to the north of Pittsworth from this thunderstorm earlier this afternoon.
53mm of rainfall has been recorded at Helidon in the 30 minutes to 7:10pm.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Massive storm hits southeast Queensland

Brisbanetimes --> Second severe storm hits southeast Queensland

[ozbob]

QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Large Hail, Damaging Winds    
http://www.ewn.com.au/alerts/2012-11-18-015800-31246-432.weather

QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Large Hail, Damaging Winds

Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 11:35 am Sunday, 18 November 2012.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds and large hailstones in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Warwick, Toowoomba, Dalby, Maroochydore, Dalby, Bundaberg, Gladstone, Kingaroy, Hervey Bay waters, Biloela, Stanthorpe and Goondiwindi.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Severe thunderstorms forecast to hit Queensland, as Bureau of Meteorology takes flak over storm alerts

[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, HEAVY RAINFALL and LARGE HAILSTONES

For people in the BRISBANE CITY, LOGAN CITY, MORETON BAY, REDLAND CITY, North Stradbroke Island and parts of the GOLD COAST CITY, GYMPIE, IPSWICH CITY, DALBY, SUNSHINE COAST, SOMERSET and SOUTH BURNETT Council Areas.

Issued at 1:36 pm Sunday, 18 November 2012.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 1:35 pm, very dangerous thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near Somerset Dam, Lake Somerset and Lake Samsonvale. These thunderstorms are moving towards the east to northeast. Very dangerous thunderstorms are forecast to affect Redcliffe, Caboolture and Wamuran by 2:05 pm and waters off Bribie Island, Beerburrum and northern Bribie Island by 2:35 pm.

Other severe thunderstorms were located near Greenbank and Wacol. They are forecast to affect Beenleigh, Camp Hill and Jandowae by 2:05 pm and Cleveland, Wynnum and southern waters of Moreton Bay by 2:35 pm.

Damaging winds, heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and large hailstones are likely.

2-3cm hail reported at Yamanto at 1:10pm

[ozbob]

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

BOM Radar 1.45pm 18th November 2012




Schematic

https://twitter.com/MBRCdisaster/status/270010852734799873/photo/1

[ozbob]

http://131940.qld.gov.au/Road-Conditions.aspx?id=329165

INDOOROOPILLY
WESTERN FREEWAY (WESTERN ARTERIAL ROAD)
02:04 PM 18/11/2012

Western Freeway, Indooroopilly - Hazard: Water over road All directions - Near Jerrang Street over pass..
All lanes affected. Long delays expected. Proceed with caution.

[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, HEAVY RAINFALL and LARGE HAILSTONES

For people in the LOGAN CITY and parts of the BRISBANE CITY, GYMPIE, IPSWICH CITY, SUNSHINE COAST, SCENIC RIM and SOUTH BURNETT Council Areas.

Issued at 4:53 pm Sunday, 18 November 2012.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 4:45 pm, very dangerous thunderstorms with very large hailstones were detected on weather radar near the area between Boonah and Beaudesert. These thunderstorms are moving towards the north to northeast. Very dangerous thunderstorms are forecast to affect Peak Crossing by 5:15 pm and Bundamba Lagoon, Greenbank and Redbank Plains by 5:45 pm.

Other severe thunderstorms were located near the area southwest of Noosa Heads, Cooroy and the area northeast of Lake Boondooma. They are forecast to affect Noosa Heads and Pomona by 5:15 pm, the area northwest of Noosa Heads and the area south of Biggenden by 5:45 pm.

Damaging winds, heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and large hailstones are likely.

A 90 km/hr wind gust was recorded at Double Island Point at 3:35pm.
3-4cm hail reported near Beerburrum at 2:40pm.
3cm hail was reported at Caboolture at 2:20pm.
6cm hail reported at Biggenden at 2:00pm.
4cm hail was reported at Jandowae at 1:50pm.
2-3cm hail was reported at Yamanto at 1:10pm.

[techblitz]

can already hear this storm coming at salisbury and it must be at least an hour away!
Hows it down there at goodna?

[ozbob]

Twitter

1m Robert Dow  ‏@Robert_Dow

Goodna is right in line for this one --> http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR664.loop.shtml ... ... black = hail @qld_times #bnestorms

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

ETA hail in around 10 minutes I guess ..

[ozbob]

Hailing now at Goodna heavy up to around 3 to 4 cm size ..

[techblitz]

thanks ozbob...stay safe
looks like it will hit here with hopefully less intensity....

[ozbob]

Pic --> https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/270067586882998272/photo/1

[ozbob]

 TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20041.html

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
for DAMAGING WIND and LARGE HAILSTONES

For people in parts of the
Darling Downs and Granite Belt and
Southeast Coast Forecast Districts.

Issued at 1:47 pm Thursday, 22 November 2012.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds and large hailstones in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Warwick, Toowoomba, Stanthorpe, Boonah, Allora and Clifton.

[ozbob]

Minister for Local Government
The Honourable David Crisafulli

Flood money for Queensland

Two years after record rains wreaked havoc across Queensland, the Newman Government is helping local communities strengthen their defences against floods.

Local Government Minister David Crisafulli today announced $13.4 million worth of projects to help councils deliver the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry recommendations.

It is the first instalment of a $40 million fund to be rolled out over the next three years.

"The state's local councils are in the best position to deliver what's needed to protect their communities against future floods," Mr Crisafulli said.

"We'll do our bit to help them by getting the money from this year's budget out to them as soon as possible.

"In a state like Queensland, no one can afford to be complacent about preventing damage from natural disasters.

"It's not a matter of "If" there's the next big flood, it's a matter of being prepared when it happens."

Funding announced included:

·         $2.3 million for Lockyer Valley Regional Council for a 3 kilometre levee around Forest Hill and a 7 kilometre levee around Laidley, overland flow maps for Plainland, Gatton South and Summerhorn areas, a comprehensive flood study for Regency Downs, and planning and approvals to increase Gatton Creek capacity

·         $3.5 million for Maranoa Regional Council for a 6.5 kilometre levee in Roma, rainfall intensity monitoring gauges, and the relocation of the Mitchell pump station

·         $163,260 for Balonne Shire Council to stop backflow from drains in St George and Mungindi, a flood pump for the Dirranbandi levee, and council disaster co-ordination software

·         $1.6 million for Brisbane City Council for flood studies and gauges in the Brisbane River at Moggill, Jindalee, Fairfield/Tennyson and Bulimba/Hawthorne. Flood gauge boards will also be erected along Edward Street in Brisbane City.



Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk welcomed the funding and said the four new gauges would provide more effective flood forecasting, and would take the total number in Brisbane to 70.

"This is about safety. Last weekend's storms were a timely reminder to us all about the weather's unpredictability, and that we need to be prepared for future flooding events," Cr Quirk said.

"We're committed to delivering the recommendations handed down by the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry, and this is another cab off the rank.

The Lord Mayor said an added benefit to the new gauges was their locations, up to 80 metres back from the river to decrease the chances of damage. Should other gauges fail, they may also provide back up.

"We've listened to residents and these gauges will be strategically located in flood-prone areas to ensure comprehensive information is available throughout the city," he said.

The Lord Mayor said Brisbane City Council would contribute $151,500 towards the gauges.

He said the gauge stations were solar powered and completely automated, sending information back to Council via radio technology.

[ENDS] 25 November 2012

[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
LOCKYER VALLEY,
SOUTHERN DOWNS and
TOOWOOMBA Council Areas.

Issued at 4:09 pm Sunday, 25 November 2012.

Severe thunderstorms were located east of Clifton. They are forecast to affect Toowoomba, Cambooya and the area south of Helidon by 5:05 pm.

Damaging winds and large hailstones are likely.

[ozbob]

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

Possible storms on the way ..

[ozbob]

http://www.ewnalert.com/120310.htm

Southeast QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Large Hail, Damaging Winds

Source: Bureau of Meteorology
For people in the
GOLD COAST CITY and parts of the
SCENIC RIM Council Areas.

Issued at 6:04 pm Monday, 3 December 2012.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 6:05 pm, severe thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near Springbrook and the NSW border. These thunderstorms are moving towards the northeast. They are forecast to affect Coolangatta, Little Nerang Dam and Tallebudgera by 6:35 pm and Canungra, Nerang and Mount Tamborine by 7:05 pm.

Damaging winds and large hailstones are likely.

[ozbob]

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

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING - SOUTHEAST QUEENSLAND
for HEAVY RAINFALL

For people in parts of the GOLD COAST CITY, LOGAN CITY, SCENIC RIM, REDLAND CITY and North Stradbroke Island Council Areas.

Issued at 12:14 pm Friday, 7 December 2012.

Slow moving thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours.

Locations which may be affected include Boonah, Beaudesert and Beenleigh.

[ozbob]

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

IDQ20032
Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland Regional Office

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

SEVERE WEATHER WARNING
for ABNORMALLY HIGH TIDES
For people in parts of the
Wide Bay and Burnett and
Southeast Coast Forecast Districts.

Issued at 12:42 am Thursday, 13 December 2012.

Synoptic Situation:
A trough is forecast to deepen over the southern Coral Sea in the next few days
while remaining offshore. High tides are forecast to peak during Saturday
morning.

Water levels on the high tide are likely to exceed the highest tide of the year
in exposed coastal areas between Sandy Cape and Point Danger. Powerful surf and
high tides may lead to strong currents, beach erosion and local inundation of
low lying coastal areas.

These conditions will occur on the late morning high tide for the next few days,
peaking on Saturday.

Locations which may be affected include the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and
eastern coasts of the Moreton Bay Islands and Fraser Island.