Up to a quarter of a million people have been affected by “the worst floods in Queensland’s history,” 22 cities and towns inundated
Rockhampton, home to 78,000 people, bracing for 9m (30ft) floodwaters
The Fitzroy River is expected to reach at least 9m by Sunday afternoon, flooding about a half of the city of Rockhampton, reports say.
The city is expected to be isolated for about two weeks, as the airport closes to commercial flights.
Queensland Treasurer Andrew Fraser has warned of dire economic consequences, saying he would postpone his mid-year economic review to factor in the cost of the flood damage, a report said.
”In many ways, it is a disaster of biblical proportions,” he said from flood-hit town of Bundaberg.
Houses and surrounding land in the town of Theodore, about 410kms (255 miles) north west of Brisbane, are partially submerged by flood waters January 1, 2011. Queensland Police Service Handout via Reuters.
Queensland River Conditions
24-hr Rainfall for Queensland
Source BOM. Click here for other images.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
Meanwhile,The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) http://www.bom.gov.au has issued the following Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Flash Flooding
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING for FLASH FLOODING
For people in parts of the
Peninsula,
Gulf Country and
Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders Forecast Districts.
Issued at 8:17 pm Saturday, 1 January 2011.
Warning Area Map. Source: BOM
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce very heavy rainfall and flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Georgetown, Croydon, Kowanyama and Forsayth.
- 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 11:20 pm.
Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau’s website at http://www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 219. The Bureau and Emergency Management Queensland would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.
Warnings current:
- Severe Thunderstorm Warning – Queensland 1,
- Flood Warning – Burdekin River,
- Flood Warning – Fitzroy River,
- Flood Warning – Burnett River,
- Flood Warning – Kolan River,
- Flood Warning – Condamine-Balonne Rivers,
- Flood Warning – Macintyre/Weir,
- Flood Warning – Moonie River,
- Flood Warning – Warrego River,
- Flood Warning – Thomson/Barcoo/Cooper Ck,
- Queensland flood warning summary.
Tropical Cyclone Warnings and Information
Details for: Tropical Low 1
- Forecast Track Map (WA)
- Tropical Cyclone Advice
- Tropical Cyclone Information Bulletin
- Coastal Waters Warning issued by Perth
- High Seas Warning
- Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin
Flood Map of Queensland
Queensland Flood Map. Source: BOM, via BBC.
Satellite Images of Flooding in Queensland
Download large image (4 MB, JPEG)
False-color images using a combination of infrared and visible light to enhance the contrast between land and water taken by MODIS on NASA’s Terra satellite on December 31, 2010 (top), and December 28, 2009 (bottom). “Vegetation is bright green. Bare ground appears in shades of brick red and pinkish brown.” Source: NASA-EO. Download large image (3 MB, JPEG) Click images to enlarge.
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