Queensland | Two people injured in house fire in Bellara
Sylvan Beach Esplanade, Bellara, Bribie Island | 22 Feb 2012
Multiple Queensland and Fire Rescue Service crews responded to a house fire at Sylvan Beach Esplanade, Bellara (Bribie Island) around 8.47pm.
On arrival they found the single storey structure well alight.
It took firefighters half an hour to extinguish the fire.
A male in his 50’s was taken to Caboolture Hospital with burns to his hands, and a female patient was treated for smoke inhalation.
Fire investigators are on scene this morning working to determine the cause of the fire.
Queensland | Emergency services continue with response and recovery efforts
SW QLD | 7 Feb 2012
Hundreds of emergency services personnel from across the Department of Community Safety (DCS) will continue to assist with the response and recovery efforts across south west Queensland today.
More than 170 firefighters with specialist training including rapid damage assessment and swiftwater rescue remain on the ground to assist the community. These firefighters are situated across Roma and Miles (34) Mitchell (31), Charleville (28) and St George (26).
A combined rapid damage assessment team of 17 firefighters will also arrive in St George this morning.
Rapid Damage Assessment firefighters have been working with the Queensland Reconstruction Authority to determine the severity of flood affected buildings in the towns.
These firefighters utilise their training and specialised electronic equipment which determines the level of flood inundation as well as subsequent damage and response requirements for that property.
Rapid Damage Assessments have been conducted on 478 properties in Mitchell with 247 of these being affected by floodwaters to varying extents.
In Roma, rapid damage assessments have been conducted on 884 properties with approximately 400 homes of these being affected by floodwaters to varying extents.
Twenty-six swift water and incident management trained firefighters are currently placed in St George to assist with evacuation and response operations.
The Emergency Management Queensland (EMQ) Rescue Helicopter from Brisbane, currently based in St George, has been working across south west Queensland since Friday night assisting with evacuations and medical cases when required.
Yesterday the crew assisted a family who were stranded by floodwaters on their property south of Wyandra. A man, woman, young boy and 6-month old baby were airlifted to safety to the town of Wyandra.
More than 70 SES volunteers have been deployed from other areas in the State to assist alongside local volunteers with clean up efforts in the areas of Roma, Mitchell and Charleville.
Two Queensland Ambulance Service specialist response teams are continuing to operate out of the Tactical Medical Centre in St George to assist local health providers.
Australian Capital Territory | ACT to provide assistance in QLD flood emergency
ACT | 5 Feb 2012
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Simon Corbell, has announced that the ACT will send three Emergency Service Agency (ESA) mapping specialists to Queensland to assist in the emerging flood emergency.
“The three volunteers will depart the ACT later this afternoon following a request from the Queensland Red Cross,” Mr Corbell said.
“The volunteers are part of the ESA Mapping and Planning Support group (MAPS)and are among the most highly skilled in their field in Australia.
“They will undertake specialist Mapping and Geographical Information System (G.I.S) taskings assisting Red Cross Queensland in its emergency roles creating maps of evacuation centres, community demographics and the location of displaced and isolated residences.”
As part of the Major Incident Management team, the volunteers will focus on areas in rural Queensland and its border into far north-western New South Wales.
“We have witnessed through the news the terrible devastation caused by this natural disaster in Northern New South Wales and through Queensland, and I am proud that the ACT can provide some specialist assistance during this crisis,” Mr Corbell said.
“The ACT ESA MAPS volunteers are fast developing a national reputation for their expertise in high level mapping in the spatial environment.
“Their help was called on last year to assist with similar flood operations in Queensland as well as assisting the Victorian Police search teams during the 2009 Victorian bushfire disaster.
“All Canberrans should be proud of these volunteers and the work they do.
“I wish them well during their deployment and also thank the employers of these three specialist volunteers for releasing them to assist in the crisis.”
The three volunteers from the ESA MAPS group will depart Canberra at approximately 1745 on Sunday February, 5, 2012, and be on deployment for five days.
Queensland | Emergency services kept busy as south west flooding response continues
SW QLD | 6 Feb 2012
Emergency services are continuing to assist residents and other Government agencies with the flood response and recovery effort in several south west Queensland towns.
The towns of Mitchell and Roma have started a clean up and recovery phase as flood waters recede.
More than 70 firefighters with specialist training including rapid damage assessment and swiftwater rescue remain on the ground in Roma and Mitchell to assist the community. These firefighters are part of a 180-strong contingent of firefighters that have been deployed throughout south western region including Charleville (28 personnel), Toowoomba (36 personnel), St George (25 personnel) and State Operations (23 personnel).
SES and Rural Fire Service volunteers are also in Mitchell and Roma to assist with clean up efforts.
Rapid Damage Assessment firefighters have been working with the Queensland Reconstruction Authority to determine the severity of flood affected buildings in the towns.
These firefighters utilise their training and specialised electronic equipment which determines the level of flood inundation as well as subsequent damage and response requirements for that property.
Rapid Damage Assessments have been conducted on 478 properties in Mitchell with 247 of these being affected by floodwaters to varying extents.
In Roma, rapid damage assessments have been conducted on 546 properties with 416 of these being affected by floodwaters to varying extents.
The town of St George is now bracing for a flood peak tomorrow.
SES volunteers have been assisting in reinforcing the town’s flood barrier and evacuating residents from the town. Seven SES flood boat operators and three flood boats will remain in the town following evacuations later today.
Twenty-five swift water and incident management trained firefighters have been placed in St George to assist with evacuation and response operations.
Two Queensland Ambulance Service specialist response teams are continuing to operate out of the Tactical Medical Centre in St George to assist local health providers.
The Tactical Medical Centre, which works as a mobile hospital facility and can accept patients, provides welfare and patient care supplies.
Queensland | Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements extended in SWQ
SW QLD | 6 Feb 2012
Premier Anna Bligh said due to the exceptional nature of this flood event in South West Queensland she has requested assistance to cover primary producers, small businesses and not-for profit organisations.
“I have written to the Prime Minister requesting the activation of Category C Special Assistance Flood Grants of up to $25,000 for small businesses, primary producers and not for profit organisations,” Ms Bligh said.
“I have requested that the regional council areas of Balonne, Barcaldine, Blackall-Tambo, Maranoa, Murweh and Paroo be activated for these assistance grants,” Ms Bligh said.
“Flooding has occurred at levels above historical records in river systems in these areas and there is significant damage to many small businesses and agriculture enterprises.
“These grants are designed to enable community recovery for those severely affected by disaster events.
“This targeted assistance will go a long way in helping these small businesses, primary producers and not for profit organisations repair essential infrastructure so they can get their businesses back up and running as soon as possible.”
Ms Bligh said the State Government had also extended joint State and Federal Government disaster relief and recovery arrangements to a further six local government areas across Queensland.
“A total of 20 Councils across the State are now covered under NDRRA, and can now access assistance to cover the cost of damaged public assets or counter disaster operations,” she said.
“The current statewide damage estimate stands at just above $55 million, but we know that when waters reside the bill will be considerably higher.”
Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said the NDRRA Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme had also been extended to cover communities in the Balonne, Central Highlands, Maranoa and Murweh council areas.
“Recent rain and floods have taken their toll on our communities, so it’s vital that we offer affected residents all the help we can,” Mr Roberts said.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Regional Economies Tim Mulherin said Category B assistance of concessional loans up to $250,000 have been extended to small businesses, primary producers and not for profit organisations in affected areas.
“The regional council areas of Balonne, Barcaldine, Blackall-Tambo, Maranoa, Murweh and Paroo have now been activated for Category B assistance,” Mr Mulherin said.
“Freight subsidies of up to $5,000 will also be available for primary producers in the affected areas.
“We have been working closely with industry groups Agforce and QFF, to assess the extent of flooding damage for primary producers in these areas.
“The full extent of damage will not be known until the flooding recedes, but early indications of infrastructure damage and stock losses indicate the need for this assistance,” Mr Mulherin said.
Category C assistance of grants up to $25,000 are available from QRAA in two tiers:
- Tier 1 – grants of up to $5,000 to assist primary producers and small business with immediate early recovery (subject to future QRAA audit)
- Tier 2 – grants of up to $20,000 to recover costs that the primary producer or small business have paid in order to repair direct flood damage.
For further information on levels of assistance available please contact QRAA on Freecall 1800 623 946 or at www.qraa.qld.gov.au
The Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) will continue to undertake impact assessment of flood damage and provide advice if there is a need for further additions to the Category B and C lists as this unprecedented natural disaster continues to unfold.
The following councils are now activated for NDRRA funding Balonne, Barcaldine, Barcoo, Blackall-Tambo, Burke, Carpentaria, Central Highlands, Cloncurry, Doomadgee, Flinders, Issac, Longreach, McKinlay, Maranoa, Mount Isa, Murweh, Paroo, Quilpie, Richmond, and Winton Councils.
Queensland | Premier launches Disaster Relief Appeal as Flood disaster unfolds in South-West Queensland
QLD | 6 Feb 2012
Premier Anna Bligh has today activated the Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal for the 2012 Regional Queensland Floods to help those affected by wide-spread devastating flooding.
Donations to the fund will be provided to those in need through the assistance of the Red Cross.
The move comes after extensive flooding at Mitchell, Roma, Charleville, St George and Alpha.
At this stage the fund will cover the local government areas of Balonne, Barcaldine, Blackall -Tambo, Maranoa, Murweh, Paroo and Central Highlands areas.
“The Queensland Government has activated the appeal with a $2 million contribution,” said the Premier.
“Again we are seeing thousands of Queenslanders affected and it is heartbreaking to see these families forced from their homes again – some having flooded three years in a row.
“St George is facing a record flood peak and towns like Mitchell have already experienced the worst flooding in well over a century.
“These Queenslanders need our help now more than ever. Just as they have to rally their strength once again we must rally to help those in need.
“No donation, whether it be $2 or $20, is too small. Every dollar will be directed toward helping Queenslanders in need.”
The State and Federal Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme has been activated for the Murweh, Maranoa, Balonne and the Central Highlands Regional Council.
Activation of the scheme will ensure flood-affected Queenslanders have access to financial support with the Emergent Assistance Grant there to help people meet their basic essential needs, including food, clothing and medical supplies.
The grant provides up to $180 per person and up to $900 for a family of five or more and these grants will be paid using prepaid cards for the first time in Queensland.
People experiencing personal hardship as a result of flooding can ring the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.
Donations to the Premiers’ Disaster Relief Appeal can be made in person at any Queensland branch of the Bank of Queensland (BoQ), Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, ANZ, NAB or Suncorp.
Cheques can be made out to the Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal.
Donors can contact the Queensland Government 24 hours a day on freecall 1800 219 028 with their credit card details.
Donations can also be made on the Queensland Government website, www.qld.gov.au/floods
“The appeal is a tangible way of giving much-needed assistance,” Ms Bligh said. “Any assistance we can provide is important.”
All donations of $2 or more to the appeal will be tax deductable.
How to make a donation to the Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal-
Financial donations can be made by:
1. Credit card
- To make a donation using your credit card, call 1800 219 028 or visit www.qld.gov.au/floods.
- Donations of $2 and over will be tax deductible.
- Donations will be held in a fund and distributed to communities affected by the flooding.
- Donations will appear on your Credit Card statement as ‘Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal’.
2. Visiting a bank branch
- Donations can be made at any Queensland branch of The Bank of Queensland (BoQ), Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, ANZ, NAB or Suncorp.
- Advise the bank that you want to make a donation to the Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal.
- Donations of $2 and over will be tax deductible.
- Donations will be held in a fund and distributed to communities affected by the flooding.
- You will be able to use your deposit slip as proof for tax purposes.
3. Internet banking
- You will need to have internet banking set up with your financial institution.
- Donations of $2 and over will be tax deductible.
- Donations will be held in a fund and distributed to communities affected by the flooding.
- The account details for donations are:
- Account Name: Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal
- BSB: 064 013
- Account number: 1004 1278
- Once your transaction is complete, you should record the receipt number for your transaction. If you do not receive a receipt number, contact your financial institution.
- If you would like a receipt for tax purposes, please forward a request, with proof of donation to:
Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal
C/O Department of the Premier and Cabinet
PO Box 15185
City East QLD 4002
4. Mail
- You are welcome to post a cheque donation – please do not send cash.
- Donations of $2 and over will be tax deductible.
- Donations will be held in a fund and distributed to communities affected by the flooding.
- Cheques should be made payable to:
The Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal
ABN: 69 689 161 916
- Cheques should be posted to:
Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal
C/O Department of the Premier and Cabinet
PO Box 15185
City East QLD 4002
Queensland | Balonne River rising at Surat
Surat | 5 Feb 2012
There is now water over the bridge into Surat with the Balonne River currently 11.436m and rising rapidly.
The Bureau of Meteorology has predicted it may reach as high as 12m today. Residents are advised to remain alert but calm. Council will continue to monitor flood levels and advise of any changes.
In Mitchell, the Maranoa River at 10.30am was down to 7.95m and falling fast. Currently 396 buildings have had preliminary flood damage assessment; of this number, 281 have been affected by water inundation. This assessment will continue throughout today.
The Bungil Creek in Roma is 6.9m and falling. Assessment of flood damaged properties will take place today.
There are approximately 290 evacuees in Mitchell and 48 at Roma. Food and medical resupplies are still taking place via air today.
Maranoa Mayor Robert Loughnan said clean up efforts have begun in Roma and will start in Mitchell once the water has receded further.
“Water levels in Roma receded further throughout the night and residents today begin the task of checking the damage to their property and cleaning out their homes,” Cr Loughnan said.
“We have a huge job ahead of us, but have received overwhelming support from the community this morning to kick start the initial clean up efforts in Roma.
“We are currently in the process of making arrangements to bring out an additional volunteer work force for a wide scale clean up in Mitchell and Roma.”
The Warrego from Miles to Roma is open to vehicles under 5 tonne, however the section of highway from Roma to Mitchell is still closed to all vehicles.
000 – life threatening emergencies
SES – 132 500
Flood related emergencies
Maranoa Regional Council – 1300 007 662 or www.maranoa.qld.gov.au
Local road closures and sandbag assistance
Department Transport and Main Roads – www.131940.qld.gov.au
Road conditions (State controlled roads)
The next update will be issued at 6.00pm.
Queensland | Floodwaters overtopping Beardmore Dam at St George
St George | 5 Feb 2012
The Department of Community Safety (DCS) would like to advise:
The following is an Emergency Alert Message sent to St George this evening at 10:20pm
This is an emergency alert message for St George residents from the Balonne Shire Council. Water Levels are now over-topping Beardmore Dam and this will result in the earlier closure of the Moonie Highway.
There are no concerns about the integrity of the dam wall, however final evacuations must take place as soon as possible.
Queensland | Mandatory evacuations declared for St George
St George | 5 Feb 2012
At a joint meeting of the St George LDMG and State agencies, it was decided that mandatory evacuations were required to ensure the safety of the members of the public in St George.
Recent Bureau of Meteorology forecasts indicate that upstream rivers are rising quickly and the Balonne River may peak in St George between 14 and potentially up to 15 metres.
The river is likely to reach 14m by approximately 9pm Monday evening and continue to rise throughout Tuesday and reach a peak of up to 15m overnight on Tuesday night.
These heights will be record levels for St George. The previous peak was 13.4m in 2010.
Residents of St George are required to evacuate by road before the Moonie Highway is cut by floodwaters, which is expected to occur sometime in the early part of Sunday evening. Current estimates indicate the Moonie Highway may be closed sometime tonight and residents should closely monitor local road conditions.
For those without their own transport, buses will leave the St George Showgrounds at 5pm and 7pm this evening and take residents to Dalby.
For residents requiring additional information, there will be a Community Information session at 4.30pm at the St George Showgrounds.
For those who do not have family or friends to go to, evacuation centres are opening at Dalby Showground and PCYC. Both centres will accept restrained pets.
Additional police resources have been positioned in the town to ensure property security.
Those who do not have their own vehicles should register with Balonne Shire Council on 4620 8888 for evacuation by bus to Dalby while this remains possible.
Air evacuation to Brisbane is being organized to ensure evacuations can proceed after the Moonie Highway closes. Air passengers will be restricted to 10kg of hand luggage only.
Pet owners are reminded that animals can not be accommodated on emergency transport, so pet owners are strongly advised to arrange road evacuation for their pets where possible.
Arrangements are being made with the RSPCA to care for pets which cannot be evacuated. They should be appropriately restrained (leash or cage) and brought to the St George Showground gathering point.
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh urged people to follow the directions of authorities.
“This is a very serious situation and I urge people to cooperate.”
Mayor Donna Stewart said she strongly urged people to self evacuate for their safety.
Queensland | St George to face record flooding
St George | 5 Feb 2012
Premier Anna Bligh and St George Mayor Donna Stewart have urged people living in St George to evacuate the town in the face of record flooding.
BOM experts indicate that the flooding is expected to reach the record of 13.4m at 6am Monday morning, with further rises with the potential to exceed 14m on Tuesday.
Whilst the extent of potential flooding in St George is still not certain, the volume of water approaching the town in the next 24 to 48 hours is significant, and the advice to evacuate is undertaken in the interest of public safety
Those who have vehicles are asked to leave as soon as possible and go to family and friends in other towns not affected by flooding.
A gathering point is being established at the Showgrounds with police and SES assisting. Police are registering the details of people evacuating at this point.
If you know someone who does not have transport, please ensure their safety, and, if possible, assist them to leave town.
For those who have nowhere to go, emergency evacuation facilities are being established at Dalby Showgrounds and PCYC.
Those people moving to the evacuation centre should bring:
- clothes and bedding
- copies of important personal documents
- medications, nappies, baby formula etc to last a number of days.
There will be facilities for pets at Dalby. Owners should ensure their pets are appropriately restrained. Please bring food and medications for your pets for a number of days.
Bus transport is being arranged for those who have no access to private transport. Passengers will be allowed to bring limited baggage.
People transported from St George by bus will be taken to the evacuation centres at Dalby. People are asked to register for evacuation assistance on 07 46208 888.
Queensland Health is in the process of evacuating nursing home and hospital patients are being evacuated to the Gold Coast and Brisbane. Family members should contact the facilities to establish where their loved ones will be moved to.
Efforts are being made with the RSPCA to care for pets and animals at St George that are unable to be moved from the town.
At this stage residents are being urged to consider evacuation on a voluntary basis. However, authorities are awaiting further technical advice about likely river peaks and may have to implement a compulsory evacuation of St George in the next 24 hours. A decision on this issue is expected later this afternoon.
Residents are advised that in the event of a compulsory evacuation, it will not be possible to take pets on air or bus transport.
Pets and animals will not be able to be transported by emergency aircraft.
Authorities are keeping a close watch on towns near St George and contingency planning is underway for those centres.
People in St George or on surrounding properties who need advice are asked to call 07 4620 8888.
Further advice will be provided as more information becomes available, including whether required evacuation will be activated.