RESIDENTS living in valley areas across the Southern Downs are being urged to prepare for heavy rain and potential flooding, with Cyclone Marcia expected to cross the Capricornia coast early tomorrow morning.
Southern Downs Regional Council local disaster co-ordinator Peter See said locals living in the Goomburra Valley, Maryvale Northbranch Road, Swanfels Road, Emu Vale Creek Road and Condamine Gorge should especially brace themselves for flooding and potential isolation.
“At this stage the rainfall predictions from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) are for around 100mm to 200mm in the eastern parts of our region and this may cause some flooding,“ Mr See said.
“Our valley areas are most at risk so we would ask residents to complete their usual preparations of bringing animals to higher ground, ensuring they have enough food and water and keeping updated with BOM alerts.
“We cannot stress enough that if there is flooding as a result of the forecasted weather event in our region to not drive into any flood water.
“The BOM is predicting high wind speeds and again there is potential for trees or tree branches to fall onto roads.“
For flood enquiries relating to state roads the public should ring 131940 or go to the web site 131940.qld.gov.au.
For local roads, resident should contact the council on 1300 MY SDRC (1300 697 372).
Mr See said that depending on the severity of the event, it could take council crews time to get around and appropriately sign road closures.
“Council is monitoring the current weather situation and the Local Disaster Management Group, made up of council and emergency services representatives, would swing into action if needed,“ he said.
“Council is well prepared. As this weather event is heading into the weekend we are looking at staffing arrangements just in case and have met with SES representatives today to discuss possible flood risk areas and resourcing.“
