Flood emergency: be on alert as rain continues

UPDATE 7PM: Just like humans, Moreton Bay Region’s local wildlife are also seeking refuge from floodwater. Wildlife carer networks are reporting fauna such as wallabies, kangaroos and snakes seeking high ground around homes and businesses. 

For wildlife emergencies - phone RSPCA 1300ANIMAL (1300 264 625). Alternatively, seek advice from one of the region's wildlife carer groups - see Injured wildlife - https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/.../Injured-Wildlife

UPDATE 5.20PM: The Bruce Highway will remain closed between Caloundra and Caboolture until further notice as South East Queensland continues to be affected by significant flooding.

Transport and Main Roads (TMR) North Coast Regional Director Scott Whitaker says crews are working around the clock, both on and off the roads, using facts, metrics and data to keep Queenslanders safe.

"TMR is carrying out testing, inspecting roads and bridges where possible, monitoring river heights and water flows, and analysing traffic data to ensure roads can be re-opened as soon as it is safe to do so," Mr Whitaker says.

"Visual inspections to determine structural integrity and assess damage are combined with careful data analysis before roads are re-opened.

"Substantial repairs, clearing and maintenance will be needed across the state network and this will be prioritised.

"We are working as quickly as possible to re-open priority corridors, but this can only be done when it is safe to do so.”

He says floodwaters had carried debris on to many roads and some transport infrastructure had sustained serious damage.

"Driving on saturated roads could risk further damage and prolonged closures and roadworks to carry out repairs.”

UPDATE 3.30PM: Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has just provided an update with school cancelled tomorrow in South East Queensland and people asked to work from home if possible.

See the list of school closures here

It comes as storms and heavy rain continue to lash the region, something she describes as a 'rain bomb'.

The Bureau of Meteorology says 135mm in 90 minutes at Kippa-Ring and 52mm in half an hour at Murrumba Downs. A spokeswoman says relief is coming tomorrow as the weather system contracts south.

Scroll down for road closures

Meanwhile Moreton Bay residents, as well as those in Logan, Ipswich, Moreton Bay and the Lockyer Valley are being urged to conserve water.

The extreme weather has affected the Mt Crosby and North Pine Water Treatment Plants, which went offline in the early hours of this morning.

This is as a result of extreme rainfall and flooding washing soil and debris into the creeks and waterways, which flow into the treatment plants.

Seqwater crews have been working hard to get the treatment plants back online since early this morning and have been able to return North Pine.

Mount Crosby is still offline. These are water treatment plants that under the SEQ Water Grid help to supply the Moreton Bay region.

Any savings on water use over the next couple of days will greatly assist in managing water supply to make the most of the water reserves on hand.

Moreton Daily has asked SEQwater if there is a risk to water supply in any communities in the Moreton Bay Region and also if there are concerns about water quality. 

A spokeswoman for SEQWater said: "There is no need to boil water - the current drinking water is safe to drink and meets Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. While we are asking residents in Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Moreton Bay and the Lockyer Valley to conserve water, there is no current threat to water supply."

UPDATE 2.45PM: Webb Hall at the Redcliffe Showground is now open as an emergency evacuation centre.

The facility will be manned by Council staff and Show Society volunteers, for people and pets who have nowhere else to go.

Mayor Peter Flannery says locals need to see the showground evacuation centre as a last resort.

“If you need to leave your home first seek shelter with family or friends, it’s critical that we save room at our emergency centres for people with nowhere else to go like new residents, travellers, or people living with disabilities who may not be able to travel far,” he says.

“The peninsula area saw incredible rainfall overnight, and multiple storms have swept through the area today into Strathpine and Burpengary.

“We are expecting localised flooding in areas including Deception Bay, Rothwell, Scarborough, Kallangur, Samford Village, Samford Valley and surrounds.

“Emergency services are on standby if emergency evacuations are required.

“I can’t stress enough that this is an emergency situation, and insist that people remain at home and stay off roads. Do not put yourself or your family needlessly at risk.

“The very dangerous thunderstorms we’re currently experiencing are expected to continue this afternoon and into tonight, especially around Caboolture.

“We’ve seen landslides and debris across roads, with Mt Glorious recording the highest rainfall in the entire state and suburbs like Kippa-Ring and Woody Point copping 117mm and 71mm respectively in just one hour this morning.

“Murrumba Downs had an intense 52mm downpour in 30 minutes that cause sudden localised flooding, so while the weather forecasts shows conditions improving tomorrow we aren’t taking any risks.

“That’s why we opened sandbagging stations on Wednesday to help locals prepare, and I again implore people to sign up to our free MoretonAlert service for real time updates.

“And as always: If it’s flooded, forget it!”

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advises that people should:

* Never drive, walk or ride through flood waters. If it's flooded, forget it.

* 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.

To subscribe for emergency updates: https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/Services/Disaster-Management/MoretonAlert

UPDATE 1.50PM: Another Moreton Alert message warning of dangerous thunderstorms for the region has just been issued. There are now more than 220 roads cut. Please stay at home and only leave in an emergency.

Scroll down for road closures

UPDATE 11.30AM: Redcliffe Showground is now open as an evacuation centre, with flash flooding reported in several suburbs including the Redcliffe CBD. 

Moreton Bay Regional Council staff and Redcliffe Show Society volunteers are on hand to help evacuees, with bedding and supplies to be delivered this afternoon. 

UPDATE 10AM: Moreton Bay Regional Council has just issued an Emergency Announcement: 

"The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has advised the severe thunderstorms impacting the region are VERY DANGEROUS.

• Do NOT drive on the road.
• TAKE SHELTER immediately.

There is the potential for loss of life and/or a major threat to a significant number of properties in the region."

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is also urging residents to stay off the roads and to take shelter. 

She is also calling on people to conserve water, with problems at some water treatment plants.

The Bureau of Meteorology provided an update during a press conference this morning, saying the situation was dangerous and unfolding and would continue today into tomorrow.

Bribie Island recorded 70mm in just one hour this morning. The bureau is calling on people to keep an eye on warnings to be across what is happening in their area.

More than 21,000 customers are without power across the state at present.

Gates releases are continuing at North Pine Dam, which is at 74.8 per cent capacity.

Six people have died across the state since the flood emergency began. Police are urging people to stay at home unless they need to leave in an emergency.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey says rail services including the Shorncliffe Line are affected.

Scroll down for road closures

UPDATE 8.30AM: Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Peter Flannery is warning there will be no respite throughout today, but he’s hoping the rain will ease tonight.

“We’ve seen inundated properties. There is damage to roads and other public infrastructure. We have crews prioritising emergency works right now. We won’t be able to get in to clean up parks or public spaces until the water subsides,” Mayor Flannery says.

“In any case, no one should be out and about unless it’s absolutely critical. Further heavy rain is expected today and we currently have 200 roads closed.

“Our evacuation centres remain open, but I want to stress in no uncertain terms that no one should be on locals roads. Stay at home.”

Mayor Flannery says he has been very disappointed with misinformation on social media.

“There was some outrage online suggesting we’ve turned people away from our evacuation centres. That’s categorically untrue. We haven’t had to turn anyone away, and we will find accommodation for everyone,” Mayor Flannery says.

“But we were at capacity yesterday, with people turning up at our centres rather than going to family or friends first. Evacuation centres are a last resort, they’re not resorts. We need to keep spaces available in case of property evacuations and emergency.

“So again, I repeat, be prepared, make a plan, stay off roads, and if it’s flooded forget it.”

Mayor Flannery says the region has received some the highest rainfall totals.

“Mount Glorious had an extraordinary 700mm yesterday and another 231mm overnight,” he says.

In the past 12 hours (4pm 26/2/2022 - 4am 27/2/2022)

• Cedar Creek 154mm

• Bellthorpe 146mm

• Ocean View 142mm

• Murrumba Downs 136mm

Mayor Flannery says the the Moreton Recovery Group will be meeting today to continue recovery planning.

“But this disaster is still unfolding and the rain is still falling. Right now we’re focused on emergency response, there’s no estimates on a clean-up cost yet. We have commenced rapid damage assessments of impacted properties,” he says.

“The priority of our crews right now is to be out in the field managing damage to public infrastructure.”

UPDATE 6.30AM: The Bureau of Meteorology says a low pressure system has developed east of Noosa Heads this morning, within a surface trough, and is forecast to bring more heavy to intense rain with embedded thunderstorms today.

This low is expected to track southward along the South East Queensland coast and into northeastern New South Wales today. As it tracks southward, heavy rainfall is expected to contract towards the NSW border during today.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to flash flooding is forecast to continue over parts of southeast Queensland today. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 60 and 120mm are likely to continue, reaching up to 150mm over areas southeast of Caloundra today.

Locally INTENSE RAINFALL leading to dangerous and LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is possible with thunderstorms during this period, particularly over coastal areas south of Caloundra and the Gold Coast hinterland. Six-hourly rainfall totals in excess of 200mm are possible.

A Flood Watch and multiple Flood Warnings are current for parts of South East Queensland. Locations which may be affected include Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Brisbane, Maroochydore, Caboolture, Coolangatta, Ipswich, Jimboomba, Mount Tamborine, Warwick and Redcliffe.

Top rainfall totals across the Moreton Bay Region from 9am Saturday to 5am Sunday:

* 430mm at Mount Glorious

* 317mm at Elimbah

* 306mm at Rose Ck Road

* 302mm at Mount Mee

* 288mm at Beerburrum

* 295mm at Wamuran

* 283mm at Delaneys Ck

SES crews received more than 570 calls for assistance across the Moreton Bay Region yesterday and last night, taking the total to 757 since Wednesday.

In Beachmere, a local has saved the township from having no water today after a power outage affected the local water tower pump. With access from the outsite cut off, the local who works for UnityWater fixed the problem and supply is no longer threatened. 

It followed an Emergency Alert message which was sent to residents about 6am.

Road closures Moreton Bay Region

UPDATED AT 7pm

Here's the link to council's list

(224 roads)

Armstrong Creek: Armstrong Creek Rd

Beachmere: Beachmere Road

Beachmere: Bishop Rd near Campbell Parade

Beachmere: Peel Rd

Bellmere: Bells Lane near Currawong Place

Bellmere: Jackson Rd at Bellmere Rd

Bellmere: Richards Court

Bellmere: Stern Road

Bellthorpe: Bellthorpe Range Road east of Campbell Road

Bongaree: Kangaroo Ave

Bongaree: Spowers St at McDonald St roundabout

Bongaree: Spowers St at Renton Lane

Bongaree: Toorbul St, outside RSL

Bongaree: Wattle Ave at Phoenix Ave

Bracalba: J LIndsay Rd near Masters Rd

Bray Park: Samsonvale Rd near soccer club

Brendale: Cribb Road at Leitchs Road

Brendale: Cribb Road at South Pine Rd

Brendale: Leitchs Road Pedestrian Bridge at South Pine River

Brendale: Leitchs Rd from South Pine Rd to Cribb Rd

Bunya: Dugandan Rd at Bunya Crossing Reserve carpark

Burpengary East: Bassett Road near number 84

Burpengary East: Coach Road East

Burpengary East: Cobb Rd at causeway

Burpengary East: Farry Rd

Burpengary East: Fountain Road at Lewis Road

Burpengary East: Old Bay Road at Childs Drive

Burpengary: Adsett Rd

Burpengary: Dale St at Susan Crt

Burpengary: Morayfield Rd at Burpengary Creek

Burpengary: O'Brien Rd at Lindsay Rd

Burpengary: Rowley Rd at Mathew Cres

Caboolture: Bribie Island Rd at Old Toorbul Point Rd

Caboolture: Bribie Island Rd at Hickey Rd

Caboolture: Centenary Lakes Rd rugby league entrance

Caboolture: Dances Road at King Johns Creek

Caboolture: Esme Avenue

Caboolture: Flowers Rd near Dot Newman Crt

Caboolture: Hume Rd

Caboolture: Morayfield Rd at Caboolture River

Caboolture: Old Toorbul Point Rd at Zarbelle's Chicken Farm

Caboolture: Pasturage Rd

Caboolture: Stringfellow Road at Bowls Club entrance to Centenary Lakes

Caboolture: Tomlinson Rd

Caboolture: William St

Camp Mountain: Richards Rd

Cedar Creek: Cedar Creek Road at Kirk Road

Cedar Creek: Cedar Creek Rd at Cedar Creek

Cedar Creek: Cedar Creek Rd at Halls Rd

Cedar Creek: Cedar Creek Rd at Masseys Creek Crt

Cedar Creek: Curtis Rd

Cedar Creek: Gordons Road at upper crossing

Cedar Creek: Gordons Road at lower crossing

Cedar Creek: Kirk Rd

Cedar Creek: Morrison Rd

Cedarton: Doyle Rd near Cedarton Drive

Clontarf: Silcock St

Closeburn: Hansen Road at Cedar Creek

Closeburn: Old Mount Samson Road at Mount Samson Road

Commissioners Flat: Commissioners Flat Road at Stanley River

D'Aguilar: Buckingham Rd at Monkeybong Creek

Dayboro: Fingerboard Road near Lyndhurst Road

Dayboro: Glover Road at Juffs Road West

Dayboro: Juffs Rd West

Dayboro: Lees Crossing Road

Dayboro: Mount Samson Rd south of Laidlaw St

Dayboro: Railway Street at Community Centre Carpark

Dayboro: Strong Rd

Deception Bay: Barbados Blvd

Deception Bay: Blue Pacific Road near Little Burpengary Creek

Deception Bay: Embassy St at Government St

Deception Bay: Lipscombe Road near Boundary Road

Deception Bay: Major Street at Admiral Drive

Deception Bay: Major St at Embassy St

Deception Bay: Old Bay Road at Claverton Drive

Deception Bay: Old Bay Rd at Little Burpengary Creek

Deception Bay: Old Bay Rd near Palmridge Crt

Deception Bay: Thompson St

Deception Bay: Trinidad Tce

Delaneys Creek: Buckingham Rd near Mt Mee Rd

Delaneys Creek: Delaney Creek Rd near number 529

Elimbah: Hamilton Rd north of Emu Rd

Elimbah: McConachy Road

Elimbah: Old Gympie Rd at Six Mile Creek

Elimbah: Rose Creek Road

Elimbah: Rose Creek Rd at Six Mile Creek

Elimbah: Williams Rd

Everton Hills: Camelia Ave at Galeola St

Everton Hills: John St at Cabbage Tree Creek

Griffin: Dohles Rocks Rd highway onramp

Griffin: Dohles Rocks foreshore

Griffin: Henry Road

Griffin: White Ibis Drive

Highvale: Dawson Creek Rd

Highvale: Goat Track

Highvale: Ryder Road at Blue Gum Court

Joyner: Youngs Crossing Rd near Protheroe Rd

King Scrub: Bond Road at the creek

King Scrub: Fingerboard Rd near Royston St

King Scrub: Glengariff Way

Kobble Creek: Dales Road

Kobble Creek: Kobble Creek Rd at Pringles Rd

Kobble Creek: Pringles Rd at gravel road section

Kobble Creek: Pringles Rd near Farrow Rd

Kobble Creek: Pringles Road near Kobble Creek Road

Kurwongbah: Browns Road near McCormack Road

Kurwongbah: Forbes Road at Sideling Creek

Kurwongbah: McCormack Road South

Kurwongbah: Moore Road

Kurwongbah: Neilson Road near Thedore Road

Kurwongbah: Ski Road at Scout Road

Laceys Creek: Baker Road at Laceys Creek

Laceys Creek: Costelloe Rd at Upper Crossing

Laceys Creek: Costelloe Rd at Lower Crossing

Laceys Creek: Dahls Crossing

Laceys Creek: Laceys Creek Rd at Worths Crossing

Laceys Creek: Laceys Creek Rd near Costelloe Rd

Laceys Creek: Laceys Creek Rd near Raynbird Creek Rd

Laceys Creek: Rowe Rd off Laceys Creek Rd

Laceys Creek: Strain Rd

Laceys Creek: Wirth Rd at Laceys Creek Rd

Laceys Creek: Wirth Road at May Road

Laceys Creek: Wirth Rd at Esplanade

Lawnton: Bells Pocket Rd

Lawnton: Lawnton Pocket Rd at Walker Rd

Lawnton: Lawnton Pocket Rd at Bells Pocket Rd

Lawnton: Leis Parade from Norfolk Avenue to Park entrance

Lawnton: Leis Parade from Gympie Road to Railway

Lawnton: Todds Road

Lawnton: Todds Rd at Todds Gully

Mango Hill: Anzac Ave at Saltwater Creek

Mango Hill: Chermside Rd between John St and Kinsellas Rd West

Mango Hill: Maryvale Road

Margate: Victoria Ave between Henzell Rd and Knight St

Moodlu: Whittington Rd

Moodlu: Williams Rd, Lagoon Creek

Moorina: Moorina Rd near F Lindsay Rd

Moorina: Moorina Rd near Haywood Rd

Morayfield: Buchanan Rd near Kirkcaldy St

Morayfield: Clark Road at Hauton Road

Morayfield: Coach Rd West at Laver Street

Morayfield: Glenwood Dve

Morayfield: Grogan Rd
Morayfield: Mcloughlin Rd

Morayfield: Nairn Rd

Morayfield: Petersen Rd near Bushland Place

Morayfield: Petersen Rd at Sheepstation Creek

Morayfield: Trafalgar Drive at Buchanan Road

Morayfield: Underpass Rd near William Berry Drive

Morayfield: Visentin Rd, near underpass

Morayfield: William Berry Drive

Mount Delaney: Dewhurts Rd

Mount Delaney: Wiseman Road at creek

Mount Pleasant: Courts Lane

Mount Pleasant: Henzell Rd

Mount Pleasant: Stratton Rd at Mount Brisbane Rd

Mount Pleasant: Stratton rd near Palm Creek Rd

Narangba: Browns Creek Road

Narangba: Moorina Road at Burpengary Creek

Narangba: New Settlement Rd at underpass

Narangba: Oakey Flat Rd at New Settlement Rd

Narangba: Oakey Flat Rd at Rifle Range Rd

Narangba: Viewland Drive

Neurum: Neurum Rd

Neurum: Perkins Rd near Stanton Rd

Neurum: Rasmussen Road

Neurum: Rassmussen Road at Neurum Creek Crossing

Newport: Boardman Rd roundabout at Griffith Rd

Ningi: Browns Rd

Petrie: Youngs Crossing Rd at North Pine River

Rocksberg: Best Road at Keillors Crossing

Rocksberg: Caboolture River Rd at Ten Bob Crossing

Rocksberg: Caboolture River Rd at Cockies Crossing

Rocksberg: Caboolture River Road at Five Pound Crossing

Rocksberg: McNamara Road at Browns Crossing

Rocksberg: McNamara Rd at Eliza Crossing

Rocksberg: Old North Rd at Zillmans Crossing

Rocksberg: W James Rd at Upper Crossing

Rocksberg: W James Rd at Middle Crossing

Rocksberg: W James Rd at Lower Crossing

Rothwell: McGahey St near Hubner Drive

Samford Valley: Mayfield Road

Samsonvale: Basin Road close to 365 Basin Road Entrance

Stanmore: Bellthorpe Range Road near Simpson Road

Stanmore: Cove Road between Dunning Lane and Millwood Road

Stanmore: Cove Road

Stanmore: Mccabe Road at Cove Road

Stony Creek: Eaton Lane

Stony Creek: Fletcher Road

Stony Creek: Stony Creek Road at Stony Creek

Strathpine: Gympie Rd at Ball Hills Flats

Strathpine: Kensington Way

Strathpine: Mott St

Toorbul: Hume Rd near Bonney Rd

Toorbul: Pumicestone Rd at Elimbah Creek

Upper Caboolture: Litherland Road

Upper Caboolture: Tinney Rd at Caboolture River Rd

Wamuran Basin: Basin Rd at R Sampson Rd

Wamuran Basin: R Sampson Road at Basin Road

Wamuran Basin: R Sampson Road at R Williams Road

Wamuran: Hoffman Road Near Pates Road

Wamuran: King Rd near Powell Rd

Wamuran: Lockhart Road near Green Road

Wamuran: Powell Rd near King Rd

Wamuran: Prosser Rd at Scurr Rd

Wamuran: R Williams Rd near D'Aguilar Highway

Wamuran: Ziviani Rd

Warner: Kremzow Rd at Jacksonia Drive

White Patch: White Patch Esplanade

Whiteside: Vores Rd near Grant St

Whiteside: Whiteside Rd near Barnes Rd

Whiteside: Whiteside Rd

Whiteside: Whiteside Rd at Patman Rd

Woodford: Batchelor Road at Webb Road

Woodford: Cove Road at Old Cove Road

Woodford: Cove Road at Kilcoy-Beerwah Road

Woodford: D'Aguilar Highway at Stanley River

Woodford: Golf Course Road

Woodford: Neurum Road near Walker Lane

Woodford: Neurum Road at Monkeybong Creek

Woodford: Old Cove Road at Blackrock Creek

Woodford: Walker Lane near Kropp Road

Yugar: Hansen Rd past Jennifer Close

Remember: If it's flooded, forget it.

For flood emergency assistance phone the SES on 132 500.

For life threatening emergencies, phone Triple Zero (000) immediately.

Current emergency information is available at qld.gov.au/alerts.

This advice is also available by phoning 1300 659 219.