28 Feb 2022 | 05:21 AM UTC
Australia: Severe weather in eastern regions causing transport and business disruptions as of Feb. 28 /update 4
Severe weather in eastern Australia causing transport and business disruptions as of Feb. 28. Evacuations ongoing.
Event
Severe flooding and related disruptions are ongoing in eastern Australia as of Feb. 28. Flooding has killed at least eight people in Queensland and one person in New South Wales.
Evacuation orders are in place for the following areas in New South Wales, affecting at least 15,000 people:
Clarence River at Brushgrove and Cowper: affecting Brushgrove and Cowper as well as Clarence, Donaldson, Inmon, and River streets; residents should evacuate by 14:30 Feb. 28. An evacuation shelter is located at Maclean Showground.
Murwillumbah CBD and low-lying areas of East Murwillumbah: affecting the area bounded by the Tweed River, Wollumbin Street, Riverview Street, and James Street; northern side of Wollumbin Street between the river, Nullum Street, and Knox Park; the area between Queen Street, Wharf Street, and Tumbulgum Road; Proudfoots Lane between Commercial Road and Brisbane Street; Murwillumbah Street between the River and Brisbane Street; Commercial Road and the Aquatic Centre; low-lying areas of George Street, Mooball Street, and Tumbulgum Road. Major flooding is ongoing along Tweed River at North Murwillumbah; the Murwillumbah Commercial Road (CBD) levee may be overtopped.
Low-lying properties in Southgate: an evacuation shelter is located at Grafton Racecourse.
Low-lying areas of Coraki: affecting Allwood, Duke, Bridge, Duke, Grenfell, Martin, Minto, Nolan, Union, and Yabsley streets as well as Queen Elizabeth Drive. low-lying areas of Church Lane, Richmond Terrace, properties near Coraki, and East Coraki. An evacuation shelter is located at the Presbyterian Church Coraki.
Rocky Creek Dam: affecting all properties below the Rocky Creek Dam as the dam has reached the red alert level and uncontrolled water is spilling over the dam. An evacuation shelter is located at Southern Cross University P Block.
Brunswick River at Mullumbimby: affecting Clays, Jubilee, Left Bank, Main Arm, and New City roads, Fern, Mill, and Myocum streets, Coral, Jubilee, and Tuckeroo avenues, Coolamon Scenic and Melaleuca drives, and Lomandra Lane; residents are advised to evacuate via the Pacific Highway due to rapidly rising floodwaters from the Brunswick River. An evacuation shelter is located at the RSL Club.
South Murwillumbah, Condong and surrounding areas: affecting low-lying areas of south Murwillumbah industrial estates, Greenhills Caravan Park, Tweed Valley Way between Mistral Road and Rose Lane, and residential and business areas bounded by the Tweed River, the railway line, Alma Street, and the southern end of Wardrop Street, including Railway Street; residents are advised to evacuate via Tweed Valley Way. An evacuation shelter is located at Murwillumbah TAFE.
Marshalls Creek at Billinudgel: affecting New Brighton Road, Mongo Place, Bonanza Drive, Lucky Lane, and Gerald and Wilfredstreets. An evacuation shelter is located at Ocean Shores Country Club.
Ocean Shores, New Brighton, Brunswick Heads, South Golden Beach: affecting all low-lying properties. An evacuation shelter is located at Ocean Shores Country Club.
Wilson River at Lismore: affecting Lismore CBD, East, North, and South Lismore, and Girards Hill. The Lismore levee has been overtopped early Feb. 28. Residents should evacuate via Keen and Leycester streets, New Ballina Road, Bruxner Highway, and Dalley Street. An evacuation shelter is located at Southern Cross University P Block.
Richmond River at Kyogle and Wiangaree: affecting low-lying properties south of Fawcett’s creek bridge on Summerland way in lower Kyogle. Residents should evacuate via Anzac Drive. An evacuation shelter is located at Kyogle Memorial Hall.
Tumbulgum and surrounding areas: Residents should evacuate via Terrnanora Road. An evacuation shelter is located at the Salvation Army Tweed Centre.
Evacuation warnings are in place for the Northern Rivers, Clarence River at Ulmarra, Southgate, and Maclean, Middle Richmond River at Casino, Woodburn, Swan Bay, and surrounds, Marshalls Creek at Billinudgel and The Pocket, Tweed River at Uki and surrounding areas, Chinderah, and Fingal Head in New South Wales due to unprecedented flooding resulting in an extreme risk to life. At least 14,000 people are under evacuation warnings. Authorities warn that it is not possible for emergency services to get to everyone.
Authorities in Queensland have issued emergency alerts for the Albert and Logan catchments especially in Ormeau, Park Ridge, Loganholme, Beenleigh, and Waterford West, for residents in Sandgate, Tingalpa, Boondall, and near Brisbane Airport (BNE) due to likely major flooding on the Brisbane River, for Dalby due to likely flooding of Myall Creek, and for Tallebudgera and Currumbin valleys, Warrill View, Purga Creek, and Harrisville due to flooding. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology has issued the following severe thunderstorm warnings:
Heavy rainfall, large hailstones, and damaging winds: Murraylands, Upper South East and parts of Adelaide Metropolitan, Mount Lofty Ranges, Flinders, Mid North, and Riverland districts in South Australia.
Heavy rainfall and damaging winds: Mallee and parts of Wimmera forecast districts in Victoria as well as Northern Rivers and parts of Mid North Coast and Northern Tablelands forecast districts in New South Wales.
Intense rainfall and damaging winds: Lower Western and parts of Northern Rivers, Riverina, and Upper Western forecast districts in New South Wales.
The following flood watches and warnings are also in place:
Major flood warning: Albert, Balonne, Bremer, Brisbane, Condamine, Logan, and Mary rivers and Eyre and Warrill creeks in Queensland; Brunswick, Clarence, Tweed, and Wilsons rivers and Marshalls Creek in NSW.
Moderate to major flood warning: Orara River in NSW.
Minor to major flood warning: Bellinger and Richmond rivers in NSW.
Moderate flood warning: upper Brisbane, lower Burnett, Macintyre, Moonie, Noosa, Paroo, and Weir rivers and Barambah and Barker creeks in Queensland; Macintyre, Nambucca, and Weir rivers in NSW.
Flood warning: Coomera, Georgina, Maroochy, Mooloolah, Nerang rivers and Coochin Creek in Queensland.
Minor flood warning: Dawson and Stanley rivers and Charleys, Laidley, Lockyer, and Myall creeks in Queensland; Deua, Lachlan, Paroo, and Snowy rivers and Coffs Creek in NSW; Snowy River in Victoria.
Flood watch: Bemm, Cann, and Genoa catchments in Victoria.
Authorities warn that the heavy rain might result in floods and flash floods, as well as landslides and debris across roads. Officials could update and possibly extend the coverage of the relevant weather alerts over the coming days.
Hazardous Conditions
Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger flooding in low-lying communities near rivers, streams, and creeks. Urban flooding is also possible in developed areas with easily overwhelmed or a lack of stormwater drainage systems. Sites located downstream from large reservoirs or rivers may be subject to flash flooding after relatively short periods of intense rainfall.
Transport
Floodwaters and debris flows may render some bridges, rail networks, or roadways impassable, impacting overland travel in and around affected areas. Ponding on road surfaces could cause hazardous driving conditions on regional highways. Authorities could temporarily close some low-lying routes that become inundated by floodwaters. Floods and flash floods have cut off many roads across Queensland; authorities have advised residents to limit travel and to check road conditions before travel. Authorities have suspended all train, bus, and ferry services in southeast Queensland. The Pacific Motorway is impassable at several portions on the Gold Coast due to flooding. Flooding could further block regional rail lines; freight and passenger train delays and cancellations are likely in areas that see heavy rainfall and potential track inundation. Severe weather could also trigger flight delays and cancellations at regional airports. Brisbane Airport (BNE) warned of possible delays due to severe weather conditions affecting the facility. Authorities may temporarily suspend port operations if strong winds and large waves trigger hazardous sea conditions.
Localized business disruptions may occur in low-lying areas; some businesses might not operate at full capacity because of flood damage to facilities, possible evacuations, and employees' inability to reach work sites. Electricity and telecommunications service disruptions are possible where significant flooding, strong winds, or landslides impact utility networks.
Advice
Monitor local media for weather updates and related advisories. Confirm all transport reservations and business appointments before travel. Allow extra time for travel in the affected area and plan alternative routes if necessary. Do not drive on flooded roads.
