LOCAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT GROUP UPDATE

Re: ADVICE NO. 5

Date: 4pm 12 April 2024

This is an update from the Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) for the Balonne Shire.  Travellers and residents are asked to prepare now, stay informed and monitor conditions and where possible avoid travelling into areas that will be most affected.

The LDMG is currently at Stand-up status and is continuing to monitor the flood warning across the Shire. There is currently flooding occurring in the Balonne River, Moonie River and Weir/Barwon River with peaks flowing down the rivers systems. 

No significant rainfall has been observed since Saturday morning. No significant rainfall is forecast for the next few days.

MOONIE RIVER SYSTEM

Two flood peaks are travelling along the Moonie River following rainfall over the last week. The first peak has passed Nindigully, where minor flooding is continuing, and is now around Thallon Bridge.

The second peak has passed Kinkora and is currently approaching Flinton, which would potentially arrive at Nindigully early next week.

The Moonie River at Nindigully is currently at 2.40 metres and falling, above the minor flood level (2.20 metres). The Moonie River at Nindigully is likely to remain above the minor flood level (2.20 m) during the next few days as floodwaters continue to arrive from upstream. The river level may peak around the moderate flood level (3.00 metres) overnight Monday into Tuesday. Peak forecasts will be updated as upstream peaks are observed.

The Moonie River at Thallon Bridge is currently at 3.78 metres and rising, below the minor flood level. The Moonie River at Thallon Bridge may peak near the minor flood level (4.00 m) late Friday into Saturday. Renewed rises are expected into the weekend as the second flood peak arrives. Peak forecasts will be updated as upstream peaks are observed.

BALONNE RIVER SYSTEM

No significant rainfall has been recorded in the Condamine and Balonne River catchments in the 24 hours to 9:00 am Thursday and no significant rainfall is expected for the next few days.

There are multiple flood peaks moving through the multiple rivers, creeks, and tributaries across the catchment. Flood peak predictions will be updated as upstream peaks are observed.

Balonne River downstream of Surat to Beardmore Dam:

River levels are elevated along the Balonne River downstream of Surat to Beardmore Dam. Moderate flooding is easing at Weribone.

The Balonne River at Warroo peaked at 8.36 metres during Thursday afternoon, below the minor flood level (9.00 metres). The river level is currently at 8.27 metres and falling, below the minor level (9.00 metres).

Lower Balonne and Bokhara Rivers, Balonne River Minor:

Moderate flooding may occur along the Lower Balonne and Bokhara Rivers, and Balonne River Minor. Major flooding is occurring at Whyenbah.

There are no current observations at the St George manual gauge, however, based on the nearby automatic gauge, it is expected that the river level at St George peaked around 7.70 metres late Thursday, below the moderate flood level (8.00 metres). The river level is currently expected to be above the minor flood level (6.00 m) and steady. The Balonne River at St George is likely to remain above the minor flood level (6.00 m) over the weekend. Small renewed rises are possible to around 7.90 metres, near the moderate flood level (8.00 metres), late Friday into Saturday, as upstream floodwaters continue to arrive.

The Balonne River Minor at Dirranbandi was at 3.90 metres and rising on Thursday 11 April at 05:00 pm, the river is currently expected to be around the minor flood level (4.00 m) and rising. The Balonne River Minor at Dirranbandi may exceed the moderate flood level (4.30 m) during Saturday. The river level may peak near 4.70 metres during Sunday, with moderate flooding.

The Bokhara River at Hebel is currently at 0.84 metres and steady, below the minor flood level (1.00 metres). The Bokhara River at Hebel may exceed the minor flood level (1.00 m) during Saturday. The river level may reach the moderate flood level (1.50 m) around mid next week.

BARWON RIVER SYSTEM

The Barwon River at Mungindi is currently at 5.81 metres and rising, below minor flood level (6.10 m). The Barwon River at Mungindi is likely to exceed the minor flood level (6.10 m) overnight Friday into Saturday. The river level may peak near 6.40 metres Saturday into Sunday, with minor flooding.

For more information on flood levels, please go to http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings/ 

BALONNE SHIRE & SURROUNDS TRAVEL ALERTS

Local Roads that are currently impacted by flooding include:

- Ballangarry Road, Thallon – Closed

- Mitchell-Bollon Road, Bollon – Closed

- Cubbie Road, Dirranbandi – Closed

- Honeymah Lane, Dirranbandi – Closed

- Lower Plains Road, Dirranbandi – Closed

- Mundah Road, Dirranbandi – Closed

- Narline Road, Dirranbandi – Closed

- Whyenbah Road, St George & Dirranbandi – Closed

- Teelba Road, St George - Closed

- Warrie Road, St George – Closed

- Dalkieth Road, St George – Closed

- Kooroon Road, St George - Closed

- Talwood-Mungindi Road, Mungindi – Closed

- Gunnindaddy Road, Mungindi – Closed

- Bollon-Dirranbandi Road, Dirranbandi – Drive with caution, Water levels are rising and this road may be closed in the coming days. 

- Carnarvon Highway, Thallon – Lanes affected, drive with caution

- Mulga Downs Road, Bollon – Lanes affected, drive with caution

- Littleton Road, St George – Lanes affected, drive with caution

For more information on local road updates, visit the Emergency Dashboard. https://emergency.balonne.qld.gov.au/ 

Highways that are currently impacted by flooding include: 

- Castlereagh Highway Hebel to Dirranbandi – Closed

- Barwon Highway Nindigully – Goondiwindi – Closed

- Carnarvon Highway, St George – Mungindi – monitoring as water may affect some causeways in low lying areas

- Moonie Highway – the Bureau is predicting a flood level of 4.2m and we are currently monitoring as lanes may be affected on Claude Bowhay Bridge over coming days

Other roads affecting travellers:

Talwood Boonanga Road Talwood - Closed

Remember road conditions can change without notice.

GENERAL UPDATES

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