Dirranbandi and Hebel

Now is the time to Plan and Prepare

WATCH AND ACT NO.4

Tuesday 11th April 2022 - 8.00am

This is a flood warning from the Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) for Dirranbandi and Hebel. Our Local Disaster Management Group is continuing to monitor flooding on the Balonne River. The flood heights for St George, Dirranbandi and Hebel are currently being refined by the Bureau of Meteorology as they await the flows from upstream.

Residents in Dirranbandi and Hebel are advised that while river heights at St George maybe similar to previous events it is likely that the volume of water will impact roads as off stream water storage are at full capacity. The river system is moving slow and the event likely to impact roads up to Anzac Day 25/4.

HEBEL

Hebel community can expect the Hebel Dirranbandi Road (Castlereagh Highway) likely to CLOSE TODAY APRIL 12/4 as the road surface has deteriorated. This will isolate Hebel from Dirranbandi. The Castlereagh Highway into New South Wales is then likely to be impacted (after Easter) and isolate the township of Hebel in both directions.
Residents, business owners and properties are urged to plan and prepare for a possible isolation for 7 – 10 days.

DIRRANBANDI

The Dirranbandi Bollon Road is likely to be impacted this week preventing access in and out of Dirranbandi to Bollon. The Whyenbah Road is also expected to be impacted with the river at 5.61m and rising (recorded by BOM 9am 11/4/2022).
Police Lagoons on the Castlereagh Highway is likely to close and disrupt travel into Thursday or Friday 14-15/4. The Highway is likely to be closed over Easter and may impact the return of students from school holidays.
Residents, business owners and properties are urged to plan and prepare for potential isolation for up to 7 days. The flow will be slow due to the volume of water comingthrough from Chinchilla and Surat.
There may be some disruptions to waste services into next week for Dirranbandi depending on road closures.

GENERAL ADVICE

Anyone seeking urgent medical assistance should dial 000.
The LDMG will consider requests for re-supply if townships or properties become isolated for an extended period. Requests can be reported to the Balonne Shire Council on (07) 46208888.

TRAVEL ALERTS

All travellers should reconsider non-essential travel. All road users are reminded to check road conditions before travelling. Road conditions can change without notice.
• The Moonie Highway is now open with caution with some sections inundated with water over the road.
• The Carnarvon Highway at Surat bridge is open.
• The Barwon Highway to Goondiwindi is currently open.
• The Carnarvon Highway north of Thallon is open with caution – water over road

Residents can stay up to date by subscribing to Council’s Emergency Dashboard. https://emergency.balonne.qld.gov.au/ for all the latest road conditions, weather warnings and power outages.

For more information listen to ABC local radio and visit Council’s Emergency Dashboard - https://emergency.balonne.qld.gov.au/ with links to www.bom.gov.au/qld and road closures visit https://qldtraffic.qld.gov.au/, or phone 13 19 40. Power outages Ergon Energy - faults contact 131046. For flood assistance contact the State Emergency Service on 132500. Anyone seeking urgent medical assistance should dial 000.

We advise all residents and travellers to please stay safe and stay away from flood waters. Remember if its flooded, forget it. Please ensure your neighbours are aware of these possible flood impacts and look out for each other at this time. For more information phone Council on (07) 4620 8888 - this includes after-hours service.

Councillor Samantha O’Toole
CHAIR - LOCAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT GROUP