Burdekin LDMG: Flood warnings remain for local rivers

Burdekin Shire Council Mayor and Local Disaster Management Group Chair Lyn McLaughlin has advised Major flood warnings for the Haughton and Upper Burdekin Rivers remain current, with the Bureau of Meteorology confirming a Moderate flood warning is in place for the Lower Burdekin.

“The Bureau has advised that further heavy rainfall with six-hourly rainfall totals between 150mm to 200mm are likely,” Cr McLaughlin said.

“Concentrated areas of intense rainfall with totals up to 300mm possible, particularly with bands of thunderstorms forecast to pass through the district. This may result in localised flooding in parts of the Shire”

Creek and river catchments are already saturated and will therefore respond extremely rapidly to any rainfall.

Damaging wind gusts up to 100km/h are also possible about the coast and ranges. Locally destructive winds in excess of 125km/h may occur with thunderstorms, however this threat is more likely to be confined to coastal areas.

“I encourage all residents to monitor local weather conditions and take the necessary steps to protect property,” Cr McLaughlin said.

For updates on disaster information please visit http://disaster.burdekin.qld.gov.au/ and follow the Burdekin Shire Council Disaster Coordination Centre on Facebook.