LDMG: ADVICE NO. 19 - 31 October 2022 – 5:30pm

LDMG Advice No. 19 - 31 October 2022 – 5:30pm

This is an update from the Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) for the Balonne Shire (Status: Stand Up).

Bureau of Meteorology [BOM] advise that storms will increase overnight moving in a south easterly direction across the region. This may result in renewed river level rises and road closures.

MUNGINDI

BOM advice issued 10.45am EST 31/10/2022 – Major flooding is occurring at Mungindi with a height of 7.54m. The Barwon River is still expected to reach around 7.8m this week. The river height is likely to continue around 7.2m for most of November. There may be renewed rises with the rainfall over the catchment early this week. Mungindi is now expected to become isolated from St George as well as Moree. Residents in the township of Mungindi are encouraged to buy at the local supermarket. Residents should ensure they have sufficient supplies in case of isolation.

Both Moree Plains Regional Council and Balonne Shire Council have crew and equipment on hand to monitor the levee bank and pumps in place.

NINDIGULLY AND THALLON

BOM Issued 3.39pm 31/10/2022 – Moonie River at Nindigully was observed at 2.90 metres around 10 am Monday, above the minor flood level (2.20 m) and approaching a peak. The Moonie River at Nindigully is likely to remain below the moderate flood level (3.00 m) overnight Monday into Tuesday.

The Moonie River at Thallon Bridge is currently at 3.98 metres and rising, below the minor flood level (4.00 m). The Moonie River at Thallon Bridge is expected to exceed the minor flood level (4.00 m) Monday evening.
The Carnarvon Highway is being monitored for water over the road with the Moonie River rises and could close without notice.

ST GEORGE

BOM Issued 1.42pm 31/10/2022 - The Balonne River at St George is expected to remain below and near the minor flood level (6.00 m) during this week as upstream floodwaters continue to slowly arrive.

DIRRANBANDI AND HEBEL

BOM Issued 1.42pm 31/10/2022 - The Balonne River Minor at Dirranbandi peaked near 4.25 metres around midday Friday and is currently at 4.10 metres and steady, with minor flooding. The Balonne River Minor at Dirranbandi is likely to again reach near the moderate flood level (4.30 m) from Wednesday as floodwaters arrive from upstream.

The Bokhara River at Hebel is currently at 1.18 metres and steady, with minor flooding. The Bokhara River at Hebel is expected to remain above the minor flood level (1.00 m) during the coming week. The river level will continue to slowly rise and may reach the moderate flood level (1.50 m) later in the week.

Dirranbandi Bollon Road remains closed

Castlereagh Highway between Hebel and Dirranbandi is closed and may remain this way over the next 4 – 5 days.

Dirranbandi township remains on a Water Boil Alert this week.

The gauge on the Culgoa River is now working and the relevant authority is working to upgrade it early next year to improve its communication.

BOLLON

No further warnings. Watching brief in place depending on rainfall overnight and into tomorrow.

ROAD UPDATES

There is water over road at flood ways or low-lying areas across the region and damaged pavements. With current rainfall in the region roads could close without notice.

• Balonne Highway (to Bollon) – open with caution water over road (75km west of St George)
• Barwon Highway to Goondiwindi is open with caution – there are sections with water over the road that could rise significantly with rainfall in the area
• Bollon Dirranbandi Road is CLOSED to all traffic
• Carnarvon Highway (to Mungindi) – water over road and roadworks in various locations between St George and Mungindi – proceed with caution –Highway is likely to close in coming days as inflows continue from upstream
• Carnarvon Highway between Mungindi to Moree is CLOSED to all traffic
• Carnarvon Highway (to Surat) – open
• Castlereagh Highway (St George – Dirranbandi) water over road approx. 55km south of St George
• Castlereagh Highway (Hebel – Dirranbandi) – CLOSED to all traffic
• Mitchell – St George Road – water over road - proceed with caution
• Moonie Highway – water over road in various locations in both the Balonne Shire and Western Downs – proceed with extreme caution as conditions may change with rainfall in the region

Roads are closed for those seeking to travelling in and out of New South Wales across our border towns of Hebel and Mungindi, please monitor road conditions carefully due to major flooding occurring in parts of New South Wales and further rainfall forecast. Please use extreme caution as many roads have pavement damage. Remember road conditions can change without notice

Stay up to date by subscribing to the Emergency Dashboard. https://emergency.balonne.qld.gov.au/ for all the latest weather and road conditions. Other links www.bom.gov.au/qld - https://qldtraffic.qld.gov.au/. https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/live-traffic-nsw. In an emergency dial 000 or SES on 132500. For more information phone Council on (07) 4620 8888 - this includes after-hours service.

Remember if its flooded forget it.

Councillor Samantha O’Toole
CHAIR - LOCAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT GROUP