It is hard to try and sum up what has happened in Qld with some of the worst floods in over 50 years and in some places ever on record. Brisbane in general managed to avoid the worst of the floods with just some pockets of area affected. The best way so far, to describe the the event is by posting a news article from "The Courier Mail."
So much has happened and so many affected. Between the cost of property damage, infrastructure, insurance and now the rising price of food we are all going to feel the effects for a long time to come. The other problem that still haunts us is there is still a strong chance of heavy rain and tropical cyclones working their way down the coastline over the next 2 months. We are not out of danger yet.
This is the article so far that best sums up the flood crisis in Qld;
RECORD flood levels in Queensland towns will take weeks to recede, sparking fears the disaster could lead to a disease outbreak with hundreds of homes inundated with contaminated water.
Dozens of communities remain isolated with flooding at unprecedented levels in Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Emerald and a string of smaller towns as more than 1000 people were forced out of their homes.
Emergency alerts were issued late yesterday to residents in flood-affected towns to boil drinking water.
Bundaberg residents are out in force this morning to see the raging Burnett River which peaked at 7.9m overnight.
Bundaberg's main street was spared, while low-lying businesses and caravan parks weren't as lucky.
Parts of the town are cut off and bridges are closed, but residents are relieved to see patches of blue sky.
There have been rooftop rescues in Bundaberg overnight.
North Bundaberg was hardest hit and residents were evacuated to emergency shelter at North Bundaberg High School.
Rescue helicopters plucked two residents to safety this morning from the top of a shed.
The SES said major flooding of the Burnett River is easing but river levels will remain high until tomorrow.
It reached 7.9m at 5am, but its flow was so fierce it damaged flood gauges. Hydrologists are struggling to get an accurate reading but predict it will rise slightly further to its peak.
The river is expected to start receding tomorrow. The record peak for the Burnett River at Bundaberg is 9m, set in 1890. Today's peak is expected to be the sixth highest in history.
In Emerald, the town's last remaining bridge is about to be shut. The railway bridge, which links one side of town to the other, will be closed this morning.
Authorities have made the decision as the Nogoa River continues to climb to dangerous levels. It was at 15.3m at 4.30am.
Bureau of Meteorology senior hydrologist Paul Birch said the river is expected to smash its record of 15.7m, set in 1950.
The raging Nogoa is predicted to reach 15.8m tomorrow and to remain around that height for about five days.
The Red Cross are preparing to evacuate 1000 people from Emerald today. Many have already fled to the homes of friends and family.
Further north, the swollen Fitzroy River continues to make life tough in Rockhampton.
It reached 8m overnight and is expected to peak at 8.5m on Sunday. "It will probably stay around that level for at least a week," Mr Birch said.
The record peak is 10.1m, set in 1918. In 1991, the Fitzroy climbed to 9.3m.
Water contamination threat
Meanwhile, health authorities said water supplies may be contaminated with sewage, fuel and animal carcasses.
There are also concerns minor cuts or abrasions could turn into major infections if people enter turbid flood waters.
Mosquito-borne disease might also prove to be a problem when the water recedes.
Deputy Premier Paul Lucas said minimising health risks was critical over coming weeks.
Banana Shire Acting Mayor Maureen Clancy said the health of the Theodore community, west of Bundaberg, was paramount in deciding to evacuate the entire town.
"One of the main reasons everyone had to evacuate was the water, sewage and the health risks," Cr Clancy said.
The health warnings came as authorities battled to ensure there was enough safe food and water in affected communities.
Dalby is heavily rationing water after its treatment plant was disabled, leaving only days of clean water.
Council will begin trucking in water today as food and water drops continue to other isolated communities, including Emerald, Chinchilla and Warra.
Emergency Management Queensland boss Bruce Grady said it was not known when residents would be allowed to return to their homes in many areas.
"These flood waters are likely to remain high for a long period of time," he said. "In some cases, that might be measured by weeks rather than days."
Inundated homes and businesses could be without electricity for prolonged periods because of a requirement they must be inspected by a qualified electrician before power can be restored.
It is not known how long the process will take, but the State Government has begun gathering a pool of qualified electricians who have already been deployed to Barcaldine, Blackall and Longreach.
Fuel shortages are also set to be a problem with underground tanks inundated.
Opposition Leader John-Paul Langbroek said it was critical residents could access the resources they needed after the flood waters receded.
"There's still concern that when the immediate emergency passes that there be enough learnt from what has happened in the past," he said.
Police said they would be working to ensure looters didn't take advantage of the situation.
Eight police moved into Theodore yesterday after the unprecedented evacuation left the town vulnerable. And extra police were flown into Emerald last night to assist local officers patrolling the streets.
Gladstone district inspector Graham Coleman said they would work to secure homes.
"A home is a man's castle and a lot of people have left their belongings in their homes," he said. "In recent history in Queensland there have been instances (of looting).
"Our role is to ensure that doesn't happen anywhere."
Returning from holidays with her family to examine the floods, Premier Anna Bligh described the situation as "heartbreaking".
"Hundreds of families across Queensland have been hard hit by the worst flooding in decades – in some cases, the worst on record," she said.
More water is believed to be on its way to Theodore from the isolated town of Taroom and parts of Bundaberg will become isolated tonight as the Burnett River heads towards a peak of 7.8m.
Flood waters are holding steady in the inundated town of Chinchilla, while up to 1000 residents could be evacuated from Emerald tomorrow in what's tipped to be the worst flood in the town's history.
The main bridge into town is already cut and Central Highlands Mayor Peter Maguire said the flood would be 30cm higher than the devastating 2008 floods. At least 200 homes are expected to be inundated.
Rockhampton Mayor Brad Carter will not rule out forced evacuations with flood waters bearing down on his city.
The Courier Mail Thursday 30/12/2010
