Dirranbandi and Hebel

Now is the time to Plan and Prepare

WATCH AND ACT NO.5

Thursday 14th 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 is expected at 8m. Current flow rates at 65000ML currently out of Beardmore Dam and Jack Taylor Weir. At 7am Thurs 14/4 the Balonne River Minor at Dirranbandi was 4.60m, rising and 0.60 below Bridge – moderate flood warning.
Residents in Dirranbandi and Hebel are advised that while river heights at St George maybe similar to previous events the volume of water may impact roads as off stream water storage are at full capacity. The river system is moving slow and the event will likely impact roads up to Anzac Day 25/4.

HEBEL

Hebel Dirranbandi Road (Castlereagh Highway) is CLOSED as the road surface has deteriorated. This has isolated 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.
At 7am Thurs 14/4 the Narran River was 4.24m (0.76 below bridge) – Minor Flood warning.

DIRRANBANDI

Council will continue to monitor Police Lagoons on the Castlereagh Highway over Easter. This is a State controlled road and Council will close the Highway if required by Queensland Transport & Main Roads – based on road condition, flow rates and height. Closure may disrupt travel in and out of Dirranbandi over the Easter weekend.
The Dirranbandi Bollon Road is CLOSED and Whyenbah Road is CLOSED.
Residents, business owners and properties are urged to plan and prepare for potential isolation for up to 7 days. 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 and that it is an offence to remove or go around road closed signage. 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 subject to flooding – proceed with caution

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