This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2017/mar/30/ex-cyclone-debbie-to-hit-south-east-queensland-with-flash-flooding-expected-live

The article has changed 21 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 10 Version 11
Ex-cyclone Debbie: scores rescued from floodwaters around Mackay – live Ex-cyclone Debbie: scores rescued from floodwaters around Mackay – live
(35 minutes later)
6.40am BST
06:40
Now that #TCDebbie has passed #BigWet is trending on Twitter.
And this be in our pergola #bigwet #ExCycloneDebbie #LeroysStorm pic.twitter.com/oikw2YBaJT
These some more palm trees #bigwet #ExCycloneDebbie #LeroysStorm pic.twitter.com/IFvhUSwMyA
Flooded walkways in Kedron Park, Nundah. Please only send through images and vids if it's safe to do so! Stay dry! #BigWet #exTCDebbie pic.twitter.com/mK0eoiP1oT
Kedron Brook River in #Bne is raging! #BigWet #QldWeather #RACQ pic.twitter.com/Z4wytQGXEA
A note: don’t do this.
There's a lot of good Darwin Award nominees today. #BigWet pic.twitter.com/2nsJpZka7P
6.34am BST
06:34
Sad news. “Debbie the cyclone cockatoo”, pulled from the floodwaters, has died.
Such sad news from QLD that Debbie the cockatoo has died. She represented so many animals injured by the cyclone https://t.co/8BEUUCZBWc pic.twitter.com/3YkB3v9sYZ
“It is with great sadness that I can confirm that Debbie, the cockatoo caught up in Queensland’s cyclone, has died,” Bondi vet Dr Chris Brown wrote on Facebook.
“Named after the extreme weather system that has caused so much destruction and now flooding to eastern Australia, Debbie was found motionless in her box this morning. The volunteers from North Queensland Wildlife Care did all they could but it’s believed a combination of shock and internal injuries proved too much for her.
“She had come to represent the thousands of animals displaced and injured by the cyclone. RIP Debbie.”
Debbie the cyclone cockatoo died the world is a terrible place
6.31am BST
06:31
NSW Emergency Services has issued a flood evacuation warning for parts of the state’s far north coast as ex-tropical cyclone Debbie makes her way down from Queensland.
Mark Morrow, the acting deputy commissioner of NSW SES, told ABC News 24 the crucial areas were Tumbulgum, Murwillumbah and Condon in the region of the Tweed River. Downstream, Chinderah, Bilambil and Fingal Head were also on the SES radar.
The potential for flooding of Wilsons River at Lismore could force 6,000 people to be evacuated this evening.
“Of course, we’re moving into the hours of darkness through the afternoon. We’ve got more rainfall due tonight. Time will be of the essence.”
He said it was too late for people in those areas to safeguard their homes with sandbags. “Probably more work would be required than you’d be able to do to secure the property. At this late stage ... that opportunity is probably lost.”
When Morrow appeared on ABC News 24, four to five people had been rescued in the last 15 minutes, reaching a total of just under 30. Latest information and bulletins are available at the SES website.
Updated
at 6.41am BST
6.24am BST
06:24
Queensland Fire & Emergency has shared this striking imagery of a bull shark that found itself too far inland in floodwaters.
Think it's safe to go back in the water? Think again! A bull shark washed up in Ayr. Stay out of floodwater. #TCDebbie #ifitsfloodedforgetit pic.twitter.com/DpP29Va1JG
6.19am BST
06:19
Senior Bom forecaster James Taylor has seen fire and he’s seen rain, and a lot of the latter today. He just gave an update on ABC News 24.
The former cyclone has met with a cold front moving through north-eastern New South Wales, which is drawing in drier air in its north-west. But in the east and south, moisture from the Coral Sea is creating heavy rainfall over the Great Dividing Range and coastal regions.
Between 8am and midday in Brisbane and south-east Queensland, rainfall was in the order of 35mm to 50mm in an hour. “That happened for a few hours in a row,” said Taylor.
The rain has eased for a few hours but is about to intensify again, likely clearing in south-east Queensland just after midnight and in north-east New South Wales early tomorrow morning.
This will compound the issue of flooding, said Taylor, with warnings in place for a lot of rivers in south-east and far south-east of the state. “Now a lot of those catchments tend to drain relatively quickly. But it will depend a lot on the clearance of the rainfall.”
The real risk of flash flooding was over the next six to eight hours. “Once the ex-tropical cyclone makes its way into the Tasman Sea in the early hours of tomorrow morning, we will see a clearance.”
6.07am BST6.07am BST
06:0706:07
Swift water rescue teams have pulled over 40 people from floodwaters today, with most either stranded in cars following flash floods across Brisbane, or on the Gold and Sunshine coasts.Swift water rescue teams have pulled over 40 people from floodwaters today, with most either stranded in cars following flash floods across Brisbane, or on the Gold and Sunshine coasts.
More details have come through of the rescue of the family trapped by floodwaters in their home at Tanawah, including four children aged from 11 months to nine years old.More details have come through of the rescue of the family trapped by floodwaters in their home at Tanawah, including four children aged from 11 months to nine years old.
Their father, who has a broken back, has stayed at the house because he can’t be moved, but has medication and food supplies to last a few days, a rescue worker has told the Nine Network.Their father, who has a broken back, has stayed at the house because he can’t be moved, but has medication and food supplies to last a few days, a rescue worker has told the Nine Network.
Katarina Carroll, the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner, said reports of water rescues were coming in fast.Katarina Carroll, the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner, said reports of water rescues were coming in fast.
“There has been close to 40 swift water rescues in the southeast, those figures are around an hour-and-a-half old so I expect they would have increased.“There has been close to 40 swift water rescues in the southeast, those figures are around an hour-and-a-half old so I expect they would have increased.
“We haven’t received any reports of injuries and we certainly haven’t seen a spike in triple-0 calls which is very good at this stage, but we still have several hours to go before we’re out of the woods.”“We haven’t received any reports of injuries and we certainly haven’t seen a spike in triple-0 calls which is very good at this stage, but we still have several hours to go before we’re out of the woods.”
The rescues in southeast Queensland followed nearly 90 in the Mackay region overnight and this morning from floodwaters that left many stranded on the roofs of their homes and in their cars.The rescues in southeast Queensland followed nearly 90 in the Mackay region overnight and this morning from floodwaters that left many stranded on the roofs of their homes and in their cars.
About 40 people were rescued by swift water crews in the Homebush area southwest of Mackay, and moved to the West Leagues Club, including a heavily pregnant woman. About 40 people were rescued by swift water crews in the Homebush area southwest of Mackay, and moved to the West Leagues Club, including a heavily-pregnant woman.
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.08am BST at 6.27am BST
5.57am BST5.57am BST
05:5705:57
My colleague Nick Evershed has put the former Cyclone Debbie into context, comparing the severity of the former cyclone with other weather events, like a light Melbourne drizzle to the torrential downpours caused by Cyclone Yasi in 2011.My colleague Nick Evershed has put the former Cyclone Debbie into context, comparing the severity of the former cyclone with other weather events, like a light Melbourne drizzle to the torrential downpours caused by Cyclone Yasi in 2011.
5.48am BST5.48am BST
05:4805:48
Elle HuntElle Hunt
Afternoon, all – I’m taking over the live blog from Christopher, who reported half an hour ago that all the schools in south-east Queensland that were closed today would remain so tomorrow.Afternoon, all – I’m taking over the live blog from Christopher, who reported half an hour ago that all the schools in south-east Queensland that were closed today would remain so tomorrow.
The state’s Department of Education and Training has put out a statement expanding on those closures, “strongly urging parents to check local weather conditions and road access, and put their safety — and that of their children — above all else”.The state’s Department of Education and Training has put out a statement expanding on those closures, “strongly urging parents to check local weather conditions and road access, and put their safety — and that of their children — above all else”.
Parents should continue to check the dedicated school closure website as well as the Bom site. Parents should continue to check the dedicated school closure website as well as the BoM site.
Dr Jim Watterston, Director-General of Education and Training, said the decision to close was being made in the interests of safety, given the widespread severe weather warnings in place across much of the state.Dr Jim Watterston, Director-General of Education and Training, said the decision to close was being made in the interests of safety, given the widespread severe weather warnings in place across much of the state.
“The effects of former tropical cyclone Debbie are far-reaching, with severe weather and flood watch warnings now current for significant parts of the watch zone. ...“The effects of former tropical cyclone Debbie are far-reaching, with severe weather and flood watch warnings now current for significant parts of the watch zone. ...
“We would like to reassure all of our affected school communities that our thoughts are with them during this difficult time. The safety of all of our staff, our students and their families will always be our highest priority.”“We would like to reassure all of our affected school communities that our thoughts are with them during this difficult time. The safety of all of our staff, our students and their families will always be our highest priority.”
Updated
at 6.26am BST
5.32am BST5.32am BST
05:3205:32
Here’s some more vision of the situation at the Gold Coast, where major flooding has cut off roads and submerged cars. These cars are stuck in floodwaters just outside the Robina hospital. Here’s some more vision of the situation on the Gold Coast, where major flooding has cut off roads and submerged cars. These cars are stuck in floodwaters just outside the Robina hospital.
Updated
at 6.24am BST
5.28am BST5.28am BST
05:2805:28
A thunderstorm is about to bring destructive winds to the Gympie Council Area. The Bureau of Meteorology has just issued a severe thunderstorm warning, and say damaging winds will hit Kilkivan by 2.35 pm (local time) and Kilkivan, Bauple and Mount Kanighan by 3.05 pm.A thunderstorm is about to bring destructive winds to the Gympie Council Area. The Bureau of Meteorology has just issued a severe thunderstorm warning, and say damaging winds will hit Kilkivan by 2.35 pm (local time) and Kilkivan, Bauple and Mount Kanighan by 3.05 pm.
UpdatedUpdated
at 5.29am BSTat 5.29am BST
5.22am BST5.22am BST
05:2205:22
Tourists who were trapped on Daydream Island are now in Airlie Beach, where they’ve again found themselves stuck with no accommodation and no information.Tourists who were trapped on Daydream Island are now in Airlie Beach, where they’ve again found themselves stuck with no accommodation and no information.
One of the evacuees, Hermione Gardiner, told my colleague, Helen Davidson, that they were being given very little assistance. It sounds pretty grim for the group.One of the evacuees, Hermione Gardiner, told my colleague, Helen Davidson, that they were being given very little assistance. It sounds pretty grim for the group.
“Just got to Airlie. Roads in and out are all flooded so can’t get anywhere,” she said.“Just got to Airlie. Roads in and out are all flooded so can’t get anywhere,” she said.
“There are no emergency services or police or anything. Only film crews. The cruise Whitsundays team don’t know what to do - they said try to book accommodation if you can, but no availability and no power or water here.” “There are no emergency services or police or anything. Only film crews. The cruise Whitsundays team don’t know what to do – they said try to book accommodation if you can, but no availability and no power or water here.”
“They said there may be a bus but they have no idea, no one knows what is going on and 160 people are not happy.”“They said there may be a bus but they have no idea, no one knows what is going on and 160 people are not happy.”
Holiday makers arrive back from islands in the Whitsundays only to find they're now stuck in Airlie Beach. #TCDebbie #bigwet @abcnews pic.twitter.com/6RN32o2QQoHoliday makers arrive back from islands in the Whitsundays only to find they're now stuck in Airlie Beach. #TCDebbie #bigwet @abcnews pic.twitter.com/6RN32o2QQo
Updated
at 6.24am BST
5.15am BST5.15am BST
05:1505:15
South-east Queensland schools to remain closed on FridaySouth-east Queensland schools to remain closed on Friday
Schools in storm-ravaged southeast Queensland will remain closed on Friday. Schools in storm-ravaged south-east Queensland will remain closed on Friday.
The government announced this morning that all public, private, and independent schools would close on Thursday to limit movement and prevent injuries during Thursday’s dangerous weather.The government announced this morning that all public, private, and independent schools would close on Thursday to limit movement and prevent injuries during Thursday’s dangerous weather.
It has now been announced the closures will extend to Friday.It has now been announced the closures will extend to Friday.
There were predictions the rainfall would ease on Friday. But Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk did not want to put children at any risk. School closures are in place between Agnes Water south to the NSW border.There were predictions the rainfall would ease on Friday. But Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk did not want to put children at any risk. School closures are in place between Agnes Water south to the NSW border.
UPDATE #TCDebbie All schools that were closed today will remain closed tomorrow @AnnastaciaMP #BigwetUPDATE #TCDebbie All schools that were closed today will remain closed tomorrow @AnnastaciaMP #Bigwet
Updated
at 6.23am BST
5.10am BST5.10am BST
05:1005:10
Residents outside the Queensland town of Biloela are being urged to consider relocating as authorities issue an emergency alert for water levels at the Callide and Kroombit Dams.Residents outside the Queensland town of Biloela are being urged to consider relocating as authorities issue an emergency alert for water levels at the Callide and Kroombit Dams.
Police said preparations to leave should be made immediately and residents in areas at risk are being told to head to the Biloela Civic Centre. Police said preparations to leave should be made immediately and residents in areas at risk are being told to head to the Biloela civic centre.
“Residents downstream of the dams are advised to monitor dam levels in case water releases are required,” police said.“Residents downstream of the dams are advised to monitor dam levels in case water releases are required,” police said.
Updated
at 6.20am BST
5.06am BST5.06am BST
05:0605:06
The Bureau of Meteorology says parts of Brisbane have recorded 200mm in two hours. Parts of the Gold Coast have seen 380mm.The Bureau of Meteorology says parts of Brisbane have recorded 200mm in two hours. Parts of the Gold Coast have seen 380mm.
Alpha Street, Taringa. Live coverage on @Ch7Queensland now. https://t.co/P58RQGdkMN #TCDebbie #7News pic.twitter.com/7PlKVNsz9nAlpha Street, Taringa. Live coverage on @Ch7Queensland now. https://t.co/P58RQGdkMN #TCDebbie #7News pic.twitter.com/7PlKVNsz9n
Can't get onto the highway from my house as access closed. This Gold Coast weather is unbelievable at the moment. Definitely staying indoors pic.twitter.com/U1CIGPjCERCan't get onto the highway from my house as access closed. This Gold Coast weather is unbelievable at the moment. Definitely staying indoors pic.twitter.com/U1CIGPjCER
Dam overflowing in central Queensland after heavy falls last night and this morning from #TCDebbie. Number 7 Dam at Mount Morgan @abcnews pic.twitter.com/VJQskdDjEtDam overflowing in central Queensland after heavy falls last night and this morning from #TCDebbie. Number 7 Dam at Mount Morgan @abcnews pic.twitter.com/VJQskdDjEt
Langlands St, East Brisbane: cars underwater, houses flooding underneath pic.twitter.com/i1mTyi2O0aLanglands St, East Brisbane: cars underwater, houses flooding underneath pic.twitter.com/i1mTyi2O0a
4.57am BST4.57am BST
04:5704:57
Malcolm Turnbull has arrived back in Canberra after his visit to cyclone-affected areas on the north Queensland coast. Turnbull spoke of Cyclone Debbie in question time, praising emergency services and the military, which he said had the largest pre-deployment for a natural disaster in its history.Malcolm Turnbull has arrived back in Canberra after his visit to cyclone-affected areas on the north Queensland coast. Turnbull spoke of Cyclone Debbie in question time, praising emergency services and the military, which he said had the largest pre-deployment for a natural disaster in its history.
Turnbull said his visit had reinforced the importance of cyclone-resistant structures.Turnbull said his visit had reinforced the importance of cyclone-resistant structures.
“I think the leader of the opposition and I were both very impressed, as was the member for Dawson, by the way in which ... there was relatively limited damage to many structures built after 1985,” he said.“I think the leader of the opposition and I were both very impressed, as was the member for Dawson, by the way in which ... there was relatively limited damage to many structures built after 1985,” he said.
“It is quite clear that the building standards in recent years have made a very big difference.”“It is quite clear that the building standards in recent years have made a very big difference.”
Turnbull praised the resilience of residents in north Queensland.Turnbull praised the resilience of residents in north Queensland.
“I have to say, Mr Speaker, nature flicks her worst at us again and again, and north Queensland feels the brunt of that again and again,” he said.“I have to say, Mr Speaker, nature flicks her worst at us again and again, and north Queensland feels the brunt of that again and again,” he said.
“But when Australians pull together, when they work together in a common cause, they can tackle anything.”“But when Australians pull together, when they work together in a common cause, they can tackle anything.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 5.00am BSTat 5.00am BST
4.48am BST4.48am BST
04:4804:48
South-east Queensland may receive 400mm of rainfall in 24 hoursSouth-east Queensland may receive 400mm of rainfall in 24 hours
South-east Queensland could experience rainfall of 400mm in 24 hours. The rainfall is set to intensify throughout the afternoon and into Thursday night.South-east Queensland could experience rainfall of 400mm in 24 hours. The rainfall is set to intensify throughout the afternoon and into Thursday night.
Queensland Police commissioner, Ian Stewart, was wary of predicting rainfall in any single area.Queensland Police commissioner, Ian Stewart, was wary of predicting rainfall in any single area.
“I think we’ve got to be careful that we’re not sending a message that you might have 400 or 500mm of rain in a particular area. It could actually happen everywhere,” Stewart said.“I think we’ve got to be careful that we’re not sending a message that you might have 400 or 500mm of rain in a particular area. It could actually happen everywhere,” Stewart said.
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.58am BSTat 4.58am BST
4.39am BST4.39am BST
04:3904:39
Some good news from the Sunshine Coast. We mentioned earlier a family was trapped in their home by floodwaters at Tanawha. They have now been rescued, and have been taken to dry land on an inflatable raft.Some good news from the Sunshine Coast. We mentioned earlier a family was trapped in their home by floodwaters at Tanawha. They have now been rescued, and have been taken to dry land on an inflatable raft.
TANAWHA (Sunshine Coast): Family rescued from flooded home. Inflatable raft making its way to dry land now.TANAWHA (Sunshine Coast): Family rescued from flooded home. Inflatable raft making its way to dry land now.