Australian Severe Weather Forum

Given the seriousness and widespread nature of the Queensland floods including what is in the media, a separate dedicated thread has been opened to encourage some commens and information with photographs and video to be submitted here specifically.

Obviously, from the media, the towns of Emerald and Charleville are under close watches particularly Emerald. If you have further information, photographs and video of the events, feel free to post them below.

Regards,

Jimmy Deguara

The rainfall maps are revealing and give a good indication of where the heavy rainfall occurred. Many stations would have received more than these graphics are indicating (based on rainfall reports seen elsewhere) but don't make it onto these more general maps the Bureau of Meteorology issues.

Week to 22nd Jan:



Month to date:




The bulk of the rain fell from the 15th to 18th January as a tropical low moved in and persisted. The following satpic loop shows from the 14th to 19th January

---> satpic loop

Queensland Floods January 2008

I have been following this event and some statistics of this flood are incredible. If the media is correct at saying that 60 to 66% of Queensland is in flood (Varying) then that area affected amounts to an amazing 1,139,920 square kilometres of land (Either inundated or previously inundated).

Other Queensland papers are putting initial damage bill assessments at around $1 Billion as at 22/1/2008.

However many of the affected communites seem to see the positives from it. That is, the water will replenish dry dams, creeks, streams and will help bolster feed for cattle and contribute to a rural turnaround for the next year. Many see this as the important break that is overdue that will help in the longer turn.

Tonight (23/1/2008) all attention is focused on what happens at Rockhampton because the large Fairburn Dam upstream overspilled, 4.5 metres above the dam wall. That water is coming down the Fitzroy River and the city is preparing for moderate flooding but it seems the levies built should be able to handle the flood peak and keep it mostly within the parks and playing fields along the river edge. Emergency Services are on high alert and getting ready (General reading from the Courier Mail 23/1/2008).

Harley Pearman

Some of the floodwaters continue to make their way towards the coast along the Fitzroy River - part of the latest BoM warning:

FLOOD WARNING FOR THE FITZROY RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES
 Issued at 8:02am on Saturday the 26th of January 2008
 by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane.

The main flood waters are now in the Fitzroy River and approaching the
Riverslea area. 

Based on the observed Tartrus peak of about 16.2 metres on Tuesday night, and
the observed peak of 20.3 metres at Coolmaringa on Thursday, the Fitzroy River
at Rockhampton is expected to peak between 7.7 metres and 8.2 metres on about
Tuesday 29th.

At 6am, the Fitzroy River at Rockhampton was at 4.10 metres and falling with the
tide. Rises to above minor flood level [5 metres] are expected during Saturday.

The Fitzroy River at Yaamba is expected to peak between 14 metres and 15 metres
during late Monday 28th and Tuesday 29th. At 6am Yaamba was 11.05 metres and
rising.

Major flooding in the Fitzroy River from Riverslea to the Rockhampton area is
expected to be below the flood levels that occurred in May 1983 [which peaked at
8.25 metres at Rockhampton]. Predictions for the peaks will be revised when a
peak is recorded at Riverslea. The flood peak is expected to reach the Riverslea
area overnight Saturday or early Sunday.

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quite a few rivers are still in major flood and will be for a long time - latest graphic attached