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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
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| Ex-cyclone Debbie: thousands told to evacuate from Lismore – live | Ex-cyclone Debbie: thousands told to evacuate from Lismore – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 7.36am BST | |
| 07:36 | |
| From NSW SES HQ within the last half-hour. | |
| .@NSWSES expects flooding to get worse during the night. Updates on evacuation order for 6,000 residents at Lismore #storm #Cyclone Debbie pic.twitter.com/8X3M6d2vZJ | |
| 7.23am BST | |
| 07:23 | |
| Joshua Robertson | |
| The communities hardest hit by Cyclone Debbie are starting to feel a little less isolated now road access has been restored via the Bruce Highway from the north and army trucks and Ergon Energy crews are out and about. | |
| But for most there remains no power, and “the worst thing” as Bowen local Lawrie Brazil puts it, no town water. | |
| Backpackers who stayed in Airlie Beach have spoken of resorting to using buckets of pool water to flush the toilet and surviving on packets of chips from the convenience store (they had cup noodles but no water to make them or washed up bowls to hold them). | |
| Worse luck, Airlie visitors on Thursday seeking beer have been turned away by local bottle shops. | |
| There is fuel, but you have to be patient – at 3.30pm the queue for the pumps at the Bowen Caltex stretched far past the forecourt. | |
| Updated | |
| at 7.33am BST | |
| 7.20am BST | 7.20am BST |
| 07:20 | 07:20 |
| NSW updates flood watch and evacuation order for Lismore region | NSW updates flood watch and evacuation order for Lismore region |
| NSW SES is reminding residents of that northern NSW region round Lismore to get out of the area. At this point, time is of the essence. | NSW SES is reminding residents of that northern NSW region round Lismore to get out of the area. At this point, time is of the essence. |
| Lismore South & North, Lismore CBD, Chinderah, Kingscliff, Fingal Head and Bilambil. You must leave NOW. Evacuation Order is in place #alert pic.twitter.com/K8UPB9HwWR | Lismore South & North, Lismore CBD, Chinderah, Kingscliff, Fingal Head and Bilambil. You must leave NOW. Evacuation Order is in place #alert pic.twitter.com/K8UPB9HwWR |
| The latest Major Flood bulletin for the Richmond-Wilsons River Valley from NSW SES warns of “widespread heavy rainfall to the northeast ... with very heavy localised rainfall in some areas”, bringing with it the potential for river flooding and flash floods. | The latest Major Flood bulletin for the Richmond-Wilsons River Valley from NSW SES warns of “widespread heavy rainfall to the northeast ... with very heavy localised rainfall in some areas”, bringing with it the potential for river flooding and flash floods. |
| Moderate to major floods are possible in Richmond-Wilsons Valley; moderate flooding in Clarence Valley, including Orara; minor flooding in Coffs Coast; minor to moderate in Bellinger Valley, Nambucca Valley and Upper Macintyre Valley. | Moderate to major floods are possible in Richmond-Wilsons Valley; moderate flooding in Clarence Valley, including Orara; minor flooding in Coffs Coast; minor to moderate in Bellinger Valley, Nambucca Valley and Upper Macintyre Valley. |
| Flood warnings are current for Tweed River and Brunswick River. A severe weather warning is current for the Northern Rivers and parts of the Mid North Coast, Hunter, Metropolitan, North West Slopes and Plains and Northern Tablelands Forecast Districts. | Flood warnings are current for Tweed River and Brunswick River. A severe weather warning is current for the Northern Rivers and parts of the Mid North Coast, Hunter, Metropolitan, North West Slopes and Plains and Northern Tablelands Forecast Districts. |
| Andrew McPhee, the NSW SES Richmond Tweed region controller, said people in the Northern Rivers need to be aware of the imminent weather and the potential flooding effects that it may cause later in the week. | Andrew McPhee, the NSW SES Richmond Tweed region controller, said people in the Northern Rivers need to be aware of the imminent weather and the potential flooding effects that it may cause later in the week. |
| More advice and up-to-date warnings are available for NSW residents here. | More advice and up-to-date warnings are available for NSW residents here. |
| 7.07am BST | 7.07am BST |
| 07:07 | 07:07 |
| Rising floodwaters also appear set to isolate some Gold Coast residents, as heavy rain continues to fall across the region. | Rising floodwaters also appear set to isolate some Gold Coast residents, as heavy rain continues to fall across the region. |
| An emergency alert has been issued for the Tallebudgera Valley, which is expected to be cut off as roads are inundated. | An emergency alert has been issued for the Tallebudgera Valley, which is expected to be cut off as roads are inundated. |
| Emergency alert issued to #TallebudgeraValley residents https://t.co/3qc1CRfD3h pic.twitter.com/y48JiHNpDq | Emergency alert issued to #TallebudgeraValley residents https://t.co/3qc1CRfD3h pic.twitter.com/y48JiHNpDq |
| At nearby Springbrook, in the Gold Coast hinterland, a massive 380mm had fallen by midday, with as much as 500mm predicted – more than four times the average monthly rainfall in Brisbane for all of March. | At nearby Springbrook, in the Gold Coast hinterland, a massive 380mm had fallen by midday, with as much as 500mm predicted – more than four times the average monthly rainfall in Brisbane for all of March. |
| Another example of why motorists should stay off #Queensland roads tonight. Mudslide at #Springbrook #FloodedForgetIt #BigWet @abcgoldcoast pic.twitter.com/lLcu3D7FJp | Another example of why motorists should stay off #Queensland roads tonight. Mudslide at #Springbrook #FloodedForgetIt #BigWet @abcgoldcoast pic.twitter.com/lLcu3D7FJp |
| 7.04am BST | 7.04am BST |
| 07:04 | 07:04 |
| More on that evacuation order for northern NSW. | More on that evacuation order for northern NSW. |
| wow, #bigwet is very big and very wet indeed. pic.twitter.com/7h5BbyMNWC | wow, #bigwet is very big and very wet indeed. pic.twitter.com/7h5BbyMNWC |
| The NSW SES advised about an hour ago that people within the South Murwillumbah, Condong and Tumbulgum areas should leave immediately, “where safe transit exists and they are able to do so. Do not delay your evacuation. Roads will be congested or closed. You could become trapped and need rescue.”Bom is forecasting major flooding along the Tweed River at Murwillumbah, with levels predicted to be similar to the 2001 and 2008 floods. Almost 400mm of rain has fallen in just 24 hours over the Tweed River valley and there have been significant river level rises. | The NSW SES advised about an hour ago that people within the South Murwillumbah, Condong and Tumbulgum areas should leave immediately, “where safe transit exists and they are able to do so. Do not delay your evacuation. Roads will be congested or closed. You could become trapped and need rescue.”Bom is forecasting major flooding along the Tweed River at Murwillumbah, with levels predicted to be similar to the 2001 and 2008 floods. Almost 400mm of rain has fallen in just 24 hours over the Tweed River valley and there have been significant river level rises. |
| A severe weather warning has been issued for destructive winds, heavy rainfall, abnormally high tides and damaging surf along the coast north of Sydney and for the northeast of the state. | A severe weather warning has been issued for destructive winds, heavy rainfall, abnormally high tides and damaging surf along the coast north of Sydney and for the northeast of the state. |
| The bureau warns that 24-hour totals in excess of 200mm are expected over the northern rivers district today; some locations are likely to “significantly exceed 350mm”. | The bureau warns that 24-hour totals in excess of 200mm are expected over the northern rivers district today; some locations are likely to “significantly exceed 350mm”. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 7.13am BST | at 7.13am BST |
| 6.58am BST | 6.58am BST |
| 06:58 | 06:58 |
| Go you good thing. | Go you good thing. |
| On our stroll to look at #bigwet damage we came across a little guy looking for some dry land too. 🐍 #Brisbane pic.twitter.com/j19r1Hrgtj | On our stroll to look at #bigwet damage we came across a little guy looking for some dry land too. 🐍 #Brisbane pic.twitter.com/j19r1Hrgtj |
| 6.53am BST | 6.53am BST |
| 06:53 | 06:53 |
| Daredevils jetskiing and body-boarding in flooded waterways in southeast Queensland have been warned they could divert authorities from important rescue missions. | Daredevils jetskiing and body-boarding in flooded waterways in southeast Queensland have been warned they could divert authorities from important rescue missions. |
| Another example of why motorists should stay off #Queensland roads tonight. Mudslide at #Springbrook #FloodedForgetIt #BigWet @abcgoldcoast pic.twitter.com/lLcu3D7FJp | Another example of why motorists should stay off #Queensland roads tonight. Mudslide at #Springbrook #FloodedForgetIt #BigWet @abcgoldcoast pic.twitter.com/lLcu3D7FJp |
| Queensland police commissioner Ian Stewart says some people are ignoring warnings to stay safe and he fears they could cause emergencies which put the lives of rescuers at risk. | Queensland police commissioner Ian Stewart says some people are ignoring warnings to stay safe and he fears they could cause emergencies which put the lives of rescuers at risk. |
| Footage and photos have emerged on social media and on news websites of people jetskiing and body boarding on flooded dams. | Footage and photos have emerged on social media and on news websites of people jetskiing and body boarding on flooded dams. |
| “If they have an accident or come adrift and require rescuing, that’s an avoidable situation – it is about putting emergency personnel in harm’s way,” Stewart told reporters on Thursday afternoon. “They may be taking emergency personnel away from an important job.” | “If they have an accident or come adrift and require rescuing, that’s an avoidable situation – it is about putting emergency personnel in harm’s way,” Stewart told reporters on Thursday afternoon. “They may be taking emergency personnel away from an important job.” |
| He warned that those caught in the act by police could face penalties. | He warned that those caught in the act by police could face penalties. |
| Spare a thought for police, emergency workers and essential hospital staff who continue to remain on duty providing care #bigwet Brisbane | Spare a thought for police, emergency workers and essential hospital staff who continue to remain on duty providing care #bigwet Brisbane |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.56am BST | at 6.56am BST |
| 6.49am BST | 6.49am BST |
| 06:49 | 06:49 |
| Mark Bailey, state minister for road safety and minister for energy, has said many people in North Queensland are without power and services cannot be restored while roadways are flooded. | Mark Bailey, state minister for road safety and minister for energy, has said many people in North Queensland are without power and services cannot be restored while roadways are flooded. |
| The latest from Energex says the places where most customers affected are in Logan City (2,215), Sunshine Coast (1,824), Noosa (1,093) and the Scenic Rim Regional (1,067) areas. Updates are expected later this evening. | The latest from Energex says the places where most customers affected are in Logan City (2,215), Sunshine Coast (1,824), Noosa (1,093) and the Scenic Rim Regional (1,067) areas. Updates are expected later this evening. |
| 1,395 customers without power in Brisbane City, Logan City area. Check website for updates https://t.co/sP1Tgnm7xV | 1,395 customers without power in Brisbane City, Logan City area. Check website for updates https://t.co/sP1Tgnm7xV |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.51am BST | at 6.51am BST |
| 6.40am BST | 6.40am BST |
| 06:40 | 06:40 |
| Now that #TCDebbie has passed #BigWet is trending on Twitter. | Now that #TCDebbie has passed #BigWet is trending on Twitter. |
| And this be in our pergola #bigwet #ExCycloneDebbie #LeroysStorm pic.twitter.com/oikw2YBaJT | 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 | 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 | 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 | Kedron Brook River in #Bne is raging! #BigWet #QldWeather #RACQ pic.twitter.com/Z4wytQGXEA |
| A note: don’t do this. | A note: don’t do this. |
| There's a lot of good Darwin Award nominees today. #BigWet pic.twitter.com/2nsJpZka7P | There's a lot of good Darwin Award nominees today. #BigWet pic.twitter.com/2nsJpZka7P |
| 6.34am BST | 6.34am BST |
| 06:34 | 06:34 |
| Sad news. “Debbie the cyclone cockatoo”, pulled from the floodwaters, has died. | 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 | 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. | “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. | “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.” | “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 | Debbie the cyclone cockatoo died the world is a terrible place |
| 6.31am BST | 6.31am BST |
| 06:31 | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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.” | “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.” | 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. | 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 | Updated |
| at 6.41am BST | at 6.41am BST |
| 6.24am BST | 6.24am BST |
| 06:24 | 06:24 |
| Queensland Fire & Emergency has shared this striking imagery of a bull shark that found itself too far inland in floodwaters. | 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 | 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 | 6.19am BST |
| 06:19 | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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.” | 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.” | 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 BST | 6.07am BST |
| 06:07 | 06:07 |
| 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. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.27am BST | at 6.27am BST |
| 5.57am BST | 5.57am BST |
| 05:57 | 05:57 |
| 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. |