Bundaberg Region residents are being urged to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary as heavy and intense rain continues with some roads already cut and warnings in place for the Kolan River.
Parts of the region have already copped a drenching overnight including Gin Gin (180 mm), Moore Park Beach (90 mm) and Bundaberg (48 mm).
A severe weather warning remains in place for the Wide Bay Burnett, including Bundaberg.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, six-hourly rainfall totals between 100 mm to 160 mm are possible.
“An upper low moving into southeast Queensland is resulting in heavy rainfall about the southern Capricornia and northern Wide Bay and Burnett overnight,” a BOM spokesperson said.
“Heavy rainfall will become more widespread and is expected to extend slowly southwards through the Wide Bay and Burnett to the South East Coast district during the day.
“Locally intense rainfall which may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flooding is possible with thunderstorms.”
The heavy rainfall is impacting roads around the region with water expected over low-lying areas.
Bundaberg Police are warning drivers to steer clear of floodwaters with several major roads already inundated.
“The Bruce Highway is closed at Tararan Creek Bridge approximately 30 km North of Gin Gin due to local flooding,” a QPS spokesperson said.
“Traffic controllers are on the scene, but the roadway has been washed away and will require repairs.
“Reopening will depend on how fast the water recedes (it is still raining), and the extent of the road damage, so it may remain closed until midday.”
The rain has also forced the closure of Childers Waste Facility.
Bundaberg Regional Council advises access to the facility has become unsafe as flooding has occurred across Nissens Lane.
Stay up to date
For the latest road closures visit qldtraffic.qld.gov.au.
To stay up to date with the latest warnings head to the Disaster Dashboard: http://disaster.bundaberg.qld.gov.au/
Remember: If it’s flooded, forget it.
For flood emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.
For life threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
BOM issues flood warning
The Bureau of Meteorology has also issued a moderate flood warning at 7.39 am 13 May for the Kolan River.
Moderate flooding is also possible at Bucca Weir from this afternoon.
Rapid river level rises are occurring in parts of the Kolan River in response to intense rainfall overnight Thursday into Friday.
In the 24 hours to 7 am Friday, rainfall totals of 100 mm to 195 mm have been observed in the catchments.
Further heavy rainfall is forecast during Friday, which may lead to further river level rises.
The Kolan River at Bucca Weir is currently at 17.31 metres (below minor) and rising.
The Kolan River at Bucca Weir is expected to exceed the minor flood level (17.50 m) Friday morning.
The river level may reach the moderate flood level (18.50 m) Friday afternoon.
Various Flood Watches and Warnings are current across the warning area, see www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings/.
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