Communities in the Burnett River catchment in central Queensland are bracing for potentially major flooding following a days-long deluge in the region.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) said major flooding in Bundaberg was possible and could be similar to levels in December 2010, which resulted in the evacuation of hundreds of homes.
A tropical low that made landfall last week in the state’s north brought heavy rainfall and winds across parts of Queensland this week dumping significant rainfall totals across already soaked catchments.
Flooding at Chinchilla has closed Charleys Creek campground. (ABC News: Daniel McCray)
BOM forecaster Dean Narramore said flooding across the Wide Bay, Burnett, Southern Downs and Capricornia area could continue for some time.
“The rain’s eased but the flooding will continue for a couple of days yet, so some big impacts there,” Mr Narramore said.
“We’re probably looking at three or four days of flooding, particularly for those inland areas as the water makes its way slowly down stream,” he said.
“For western Queensland we’ve probably got weeks of flooding left to go.”
Helen Blackburn says bridges in Bundaberg may close due to flooding. (ABC Wide Bay: James Taylor)
Bundaberg Mayor Helen Blackburn said people impacted by the 2010 floods needed to prepare because flooding was expected to peak this afternoon.
“We don’t want people to be alarmed, we just want you to be alert and move if you need to move,” Cr Blackburn said.
“We do have a little bit of time.
“We’re looking at opening a couple of evacuation centres but that will be announced later this morning.”
She said bridges connecting the city over the Burnett River may close just after lunch as water levels rose.
The Burnett River’s minor flood level at Bundaberg is 3.5 metres but in the past few hours the level has risen to 5m. Â
“We are hoping that our worst-case scenario is the best-case scenario for us. So I’m hoping that will be around that 7m mark and that would mean that we’re actually in a really good spot.”
Major flood risk
The bureau has also issued major flood warnings for the Burnett River, Mary River, Dawson River, Upper Balonne River, Flinders River, Warrego River, Georgina River and Thomson River.
Floodwaters have closed many roads across the region, including the Capricorn Highway between Blackwater and Emerald.
Widespread flooding following six-hourly rainfall totals exceeding 200mm has closed many roads across central and southern Queensland. (ABC News: Daniel McCray)
The North Burnett Regional Council issued a flood emergency warning yesterday, urging residents in low-lying areas to leave immediately and seek shelter. Evacuation centres at Mundubbera and Gayndah have been set up.
The Burnett River at Mundubbera has passed moderate flooding levels, reaching 16.97m overnight, but is yet to exceed major flooding levels over 18 metres today.
Sunwater says Paradise Dam, west of Bundaberg, is expected to peak on Tuesday morning and continue spilling for weeks into the Burnett River. (Supplied: Sunwater)
Resident Rob Stringer, who lives 20km west of the Mundubbera township, said the closest bridge to his property was under water.
“We’re totally isolated,” he said.
“There’s been a lot of rain up north and all that water’s still got to come down so we should be cut off for probably two or three days maybe four.”
Dams likely to spill for weeks
Paradise Dam, west of Bundaberg, is at 203 per cent and has been spilling excess water into the Burnett River.
Bundaberg Mayor Helen Blackburn yesterday said residents downstream were on alert.
“We are monitoring the catchment area, everything from Paradise Dam down towards the other catchments,” she said.
Paradise Dam, west of Bundaberg, has been spilling into the Burnett River and is expected to continue for weeks. (Supplied: Sunwater)
Sunwater executive general manager of operations Colin Bendall said 10 out of 23 dams in Queensland were currently spilling, with many expected to continue spilling for weeks.
“The peak will come and pass quite quickly, but the peak we are predicting for Paradise Dam is quite a large peak,” Mr Bendell said.
“It’s quite likely to spill for multiple weeks, if not months.”
Rising water at the Mary River catchment near the Lamington Bridge boat ramp, Maryborough in March 2026. (ABC News: Olivia Nunes-Malek)
Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said minor flooding was expected in Maryborough today after the Mary River reached major flooding levels yesterday afternoon, exceeding 12 metres.
Mr Seymour said, based on current forecasts predicting a peak today, the flooding would not reach the height of the 2022 floods that forced people to evacuate their homes.
“People that have lived in Maryborough for more than three or four years are aware of what floods look like here,” Mr Seymour said.
“In 2022 we had two major floods and two minor floods, this will not be like those major floods.”
A flooded weir at Bargara, north of Hervey Bay, yesterday afternoon after a tropical low brought heavy rainfall. (Supplied: Emmet O’Neill)
By Monday evening three bridges over the Mary River had been closed, including the Granville, Lamington and Burrum River Bridges.
SES Bundaberg deputy local controller Luke Harding said the organisation received 150 calls yesterday and urged residents to be prepared.
“If you flooded in 2010, make sure you do start preparing now and get yourself ready for this flood coming through late this afternoon,” he said.
Mr Harding stressed the importance of avoiding flood waters after a series of rescues across the region.
“We’ve had too many people caught in flood waters and it’s stretching our resources real fast,” he said.
Rains set to ease
BOM senior meteorologist Christie Johnson said rainy conditions were expected to ease on Tuesday as the system moved offshore.
“The good news is it is a clearing trend,” Ms Johnson said.
“We should see a couple of showers lingering for a couple of days but by the time we get to Thursday, we’re looking at pretty much dry conditions.”
A monsoon trough in North Queensland is expected to bring steady rainfall to the Gulf and Northern regions later this week.