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2010-02-18 04:15:36 - Extreme Weather - Australia EDIS CODE: ST-20100218-24980-AUS
Date & Time: 2010-02-18 04:15:36 [UTC]
Area: Australia, State of Queensland, , Bowen Damage level: Moderate (Level 2)
Not confirmed information! Description: Torrential rain has caused flooding in the north Queensland township of Bowen and the situation could worsen at the next high tide. The Bureau of Meteorology said 199mm had fallen in the 24 hours to 9am on Wednesday, and the rain was not expected to ease until tonight. The bureau warned of possible flash flooding as local stream continue to rise in the central coast region. And as the weather system moves north today, townships in the Herbert and Lower Burdekin could also suffer. The Whitsunday Regional Council said about 30 per cent of the Bowen area was flooded, but there were no reports of home inundation at this stage. However, some urban roads were cut off and the Bruce Highway was closed to the north. The SES has answered a number of calls for help over the past last 24 hours, mainly for sandbagging and leaking roofs. Whitsunday mayor Mike Brunker told of a night-long downpour. "It was just torrential, just coming down in bucket loads," Mr Brunker said. Council infrastructure director Gary Martin said the situation could worsen at high tide. "It will reduce the efficiency of the storm water system and could back water up during the peak period," Mr Martin said. Meanwhile, the weather bureau said the Don River, that runs through Bowen's outlying areas, will peak at 3.5m. But the manager of the flood warning centre, Peter Baddiley, said the river wasn't expected to break its banks.
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