LOCAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT GROUP UPDATE
Re: ADVICE NO. 8
Date: 4pm 17 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 warnings 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 in the catchments in the past few days. There is a chance of thunderstorms and low-level rainfall in the Shire over Wednesday and Thursday and potential for minor rainfall in the catchments next week.
At this stage, it is anticipated that flood warnings for the Shire will be finalised late next week.
Following this flood event, Council is planning vector spraying over the coming period and will communicate this as the program details are confirmed.
MOONIE RIVER SYSTEM
The Moonie River at Nindigully peaked at 2.70 metres around 1:00 am Wednesday and is currently at 2.65 metres and falling, above the minor flood level (2.20 m). The Moonie River at Nindigully is likely to remain above the minor flood level (2.20 m) for the next few days.
The Moonie River at Thallon Bridge is currently at 3.77 metres and rising, below the minor flood level (4.00 m). The Moonie River at Thallon Bridge may peak near 3.90 metres during Thursday, below the minor flood level (4.00 m).
BALONNE RIVER SYSTEM
Minor flooding is occurring along the Balonne River Minor and may occur along the Bokhara River. Moderate flooding is occurring at Whyenbah.
There are no current observations at the St George manual gauge, however, based on the nearby automatic gauge, the river level is currently estimated to be below the minor flood level (6.00 m) and falling slowly. The Balonne River at St George is expected to remain below the minor flood level.
The Balonne River Minor at Dirranbandi is currently at 4.21 metres and falling, The Balonne River Minor at Dirranbandi is likely to remain above the minor flood level (4.00 m) during Wednesday.
The Bokhara River at Hebel is currently at 0.94 metres and rising slowly, below the minor flood level (1.00 m). The Bokhara River at Hebel may exceed the minor flood level (1.00 m) during Wednesday. River level rises are expected in coming days as upstream floodwaters arrive but likely to stay below the moderate flood level (1.50 m).
BARWON RIVER SYSTEM
Moderate flooding is occurring along the Barwon River at Mungindi as floodwaters arrive from the Weir River (QLD) and Macintyre River.
Upstream along the Weir River, a second and higher peak passed Talwood on Sunday 14 April. This peak, combined with floodwaters from the Macintyre River, may cause prolonged moderate flooding at Mungindi.
TRAVEL ALERTS
Local Roads that are currently impacted by flooding include:
Bollon-Dirranbandi Road, Dirranbandi - Closed
Dirranbandi Hebel Road – Closed
Mitchell-Bollon Road, Bollon - Closed
Talwood-Mungindi Road, Mungindi - Closed
Lower Plains Road, Dirranbandi - Closed
Gunnindaddy Road Mungindi - Closed
Narline Road, Dirranbandi - Closed
Whyenbah Rd, St George, Dirranbandi – Closed
Ballangarry Road, Thallon – Closed
Cubbie Road, Dirranbandi – Closed
Kooroon Road, St George – Closed
Warrie Road, St George – Closed
Honeymah Lane, Dirranbandi – Closed
Mulga Downs Road, Bollon - Lanes affected, Proceed with caution
Ballangarry Road, Thallon - Lanes affected, Reduced speed limit (40km/h)
Littleton Road, St George - Lanes affected, Proceed with caution
Highways that are currently impacted by flooding include:
- Castlereagh Highway, Hebel to Dirranbandi – Closed due to floodwater. It is anticipated that this will remain closed until at least the middle of next week.
- Carnarvon Highway, St George – Mungindi – There are lanes currently affected between Thallon and Mungindi due to flood water and this may affect full access in the coming days.
For more information on local road updates, visit the Emergency Dashboard. https://emergency.balonne.qld.gov.au/
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.
Councillor Samantha O’Toole
CHAIR - LOCAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT GROUP