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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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| Version 15 | Version 16 |
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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) | |
| 9.40am BST | |
| 09:40 | |
| The electricity company Energex says more 52, 731 customers are without power in south-east Queensland. Of that, 33,000 are on the Sunshine Coast and more than 1,100 in Brisbane. | |
| 9.32am BST | |
| 09:32 | |
| The Queensland government’s wave monitoring unit has recorded a wave of over eight meters at Mooloolaba on the state’s Sunshine Coast. The unit uses buoys to measure the height of passing waves which are then transmitted to nearby receiver stations. | |
| A wave of over 8m has been recorded off Mooloolaba after the Sunshine Coast copped wind gusts over 100km/h @9NewsQueensland pic.twitter.com/HhlOB4P3HX | |
| Updated | |
| at 9.34am BST | |
| 9.24am BST | |
| 09:24 | |
| Up to 417mm of rain has fallen over the Tweed River valley in northern NSW in the past 24 hours, leading to significant rises in river levels in the area. The Bureau is forecasting further rainfall in the next 24 hours | |
| Major flooding has happened at Murwillumbah and moderate flooding is predicted at Chinderah tonight with the high tide. Residents in the South Murwillumbah were ordered to evacuate the area earlier on Thursday. | |
| BREAKING: residents near #Murwillumbah ordered to #evacuate now, as #TweedRiver rises twd major #flood level. #7News pic.twitter.com/pemsVmIvVC | |
| 9.07am BST | |
| 09:07 | |
| Looks like someone forgot to give Channel 7’s Chris Reason the dress code for reporting. | |
| Pick the odd man out in the #bigwet! pic.twitter.com/sKWbhP4nhO | |
| 9.06am BST | |
| 09:06 | |
| The Bureau says that at 5pm ex-tropical cyclone Debbie was 100km west of Kingaroy, about two-and-a-half hours drive west of Noosa Heads on the Sunshine Coast. | |
| The system is expected to continue moving southeastwards over southeast Queensland during Thursday afternoon and evening. Ex-tropical Cyclone Debbie is then expected to move off the far southeast coast overnight. | |
| BoM says the storm is likely to develop off the southeast coast during Friday and slowly move eastwards away from the Queensland coast during the weekend. | |
| 9.00am BST | 9.00am BST |
| 09:00 | 09:00 |
| One of the pictures of the day from Queensland was a bull shark washed up in Ayr, where Cylcone Debbie made landfall. | One of the pictures of the day from Queensland was a bull shark washed up in Ayr, where Cylcone Debbie made landfall. |
| This is just the beginning... 😱🌪️🦈 #BIGWET pic.twitter.com/XBcXgK2B2q | This is just the beginning... 😱🌪️🦈 #BIGWET pic.twitter.com/XBcXgK2B2q |
| 8.56am BST | 8.56am BST |
| 08:56 | 08:56 |
| The river has risen substantially at Ipswich, south-west of Brisbane as this commuter found out on the journey home. | The river has risen substantially at Ipswich, south-west of Brisbane as this commuter found out on the journey home. |
| Ipswich rd at oxley 5.40pm #bneweather #CycloneDebbie #bigwet # NOTRAFFIC :) pic.twitter.com/h82nZY2kWA | Ipswich rd at oxley 5.40pm #bneweather #CycloneDebbie #bigwet # NOTRAFFIC :) pic.twitter.com/h82nZY2kWA |
| 8.54am BST | 8.54am BST |
| 08:54 | 08:54 |
| These broadcasters are keeping their sense of humour: “The weather radar looks like a Smurf in a blender”. I’m guess that’s lots of blue. | These broadcasters are keeping their sense of humour: “The weather radar looks like a Smurf in a blender”. I’m guess that’s lots of blue. |
| #smurf #bigwet @BOM_Qld https://t.co/zJWFoW7pu1 pic.twitter.com/5RzUJi8hJG | #smurf #bigwet @BOM_Qld https://t.co/zJWFoW7pu1 pic.twitter.com/5RzUJi8hJG |
| Can’t really argue with them. | Can’t really argue with them. |
| The heaviest of the rainfall at the moment is about parts of the Wide Bay near Bundaberg and areas south of Brisbane. #BigWet pic.twitter.com/iOwBHkvqvJ | The heaviest of the rainfall at the moment is about parts of the Wide Bay near Bundaberg and areas south of Brisbane. #BigWet pic.twitter.com/iOwBHkvqvJ |
| 8.47am BST | 8.47am BST |
| 08:47 | 08:47 |
| I’m not sure the promise of free travel home is going to help anyone enjoy their journey out of the city tonight. | I’m not sure the promise of free travel home is going to help anyone enjoy their journey out of the city tonight. |
| The sign at South Brisbane station tells the story. #bigwet #Brisbane @abcbrisbane @ABCNewsBrisbane @TransLinkSEQ pic.twitter.com/JbrO1xbd61 | The sign at South Brisbane station tells the story. #bigwet #Brisbane @abcbrisbane @ABCNewsBrisbane @TransLinkSEQ pic.twitter.com/JbrO1xbd61 |
| Ipswich council is warning of more heavy falls to come. | Ipswich council is warning of more heavy falls to come. |
| .@IpswichCouncil warns heavy falls still to comeDetails: https://t.co/kNYqMkNyox @CherylBromage #Ipswich #bigwet @qld_times pic.twitter.com/3LgUkANSYR | .@IpswichCouncil warns heavy falls still to comeDetails: https://t.co/kNYqMkNyox @CherylBromage #Ipswich #bigwet @qld_times pic.twitter.com/3LgUkANSYR |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.02am BST | at 9.02am BST |
| 8.38am BST | 8.38am BST |
| 08:38 | 08:38 |
| Noosa council says the highest annual tide will occur at 11pm tonight, exacerbating the potential for flooding in coastal areas. It says up to 400mm of rain has fallen in hinterland areas, which it says increases the likelihood of flash flooding. | Noosa council says the highest annual tide will occur at 11pm tonight, exacerbating the potential for flooding in coastal areas. It says up to 400mm of rain has fallen in hinterland areas, which it says increases the likelihood of flash flooding. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.43am BST | at 8.43am BST |
| 8.34am BST | 8.34am BST |
| 08:34 | 08:34 |
| The BoM is advising residents on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast to take precautions ahead of approaching “very dangerous thunderstorm activity”. It says to move cars away from trees; seek shelter (preferably indoors, never under trees); and to avoid using phones during thunderstorms. | The BoM is advising residents on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast to take precautions ahead of approaching “very dangerous thunderstorm activity”. It says to move cars away from trees; seek shelter (preferably indoors, never under trees); and to avoid using phones during thunderstorms. |
| Noosa feeling the after effects of #TCDebbie right now, similar to Cat 2 Cyclone strength pic.twitter.com/uK7LXyO4ul | Noosa feeling the after effects of #TCDebbie right now, similar to Cat 2 Cyclone strength pic.twitter.com/uK7LXyO4ul |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.36am BST | at 8.36am BST |
| 8.25am BST | 8.25am BST |
| 08:25 | 08:25 |
| The Bureau of Meteorology is reporting very dangerous thunderstorm activity on the Sunshine Coast in south-east Queensland. Their map (below) shows the storm moving from Noosa Heads south towards Moreton Bay. | The Bureau of Meteorology is reporting very dangerous thunderstorm activity on the Sunshine Coast in south-east Queensland. Their map (below) shows the storm moving from Noosa Heads south towards Moreton Bay. |
| The Bureau says the thunderstorms are forecast to affect Maroochydore, Caloundra and waters off Maroochydore by 5.40pm and waters off Bribie Island, northern Bribie Island and Beerwah by 6.10 pm. It says destructive winds are likely. | The Bureau says the thunderstorms are forecast to affect Maroochydore, Caloundra and waters off Maroochydore by 5.40pm and waters off Bribie Island, northern Bribie Island and Beerwah by 6.10 pm. It says destructive winds are likely. |
| Double Island Point near Rainbow Beach (just south of Fraser Island) recorded gusts of 124km/h at 4.35pm. | Double Island Point near Rainbow Beach (just south of Fraser Island) recorded gusts of 124km/h at 4.35pm. |
| Very dangerous activity near the #SunshineCoast - Destructive winds possible with its progression south pic.twitter.com/bhu3V2Jl5q | Very dangerous activity near the #SunshineCoast - Destructive winds possible with its progression south pic.twitter.com/bhu3V2Jl5q |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.28am BST | at 8.28am BST |
| 8.06am BST | 8.06am BST |
| 08:06 | 08:06 |
| Tweed Heads, Lismore, South Murwillumbah evacuation orders | Tweed Heads, Lismore, South Murwillumbah evacuation orders |
| Northern NSW is taking a hammering. The SES has issued an evacuation order for Tweed Heads South and Tweed Heads West. Tweed Heads has a population of 7,500 people. That adds to the orders for Lismore issued earlier and which could affect thousands more people. | Northern NSW is taking a hammering. The SES has issued an evacuation order for Tweed Heads South and Tweed Heads West. Tweed Heads has a population of 7,500 people. That adds to the orders for Lismore issued earlier and which could affect thousands more people. |
| Flood Evacuation Order issued for Tweed Heads South and Tweed Heads West.Time to leave is now.#NSWSES #NSWFloods #alert pic.twitter.com/gHb6wJSRs5 | Flood Evacuation Order issued for Tweed Heads South and Tweed Heads West.Time to leave is now.#NSWSES #NSWFloods #alert pic.twitter.com/gHb6wJSRs5 |
| The SES has also said that up to 398mm has fallen during the past 24 hours over the Tweed river valley, “with significant river level rises in the valley”. Its major flood alert goes on: | The SES has also said that up to 398mm has fallen during the past 24 hours over the Tweed river valley, “with significant river level rises in the valley”. Its major flood alert goes on: |
| Major flooding is forecast along the Tweed River at Murwillumbah late Thursday afternoon, with river levels predicted to be slightly higher than the 2001 and 2008 floods. Further rises are possible with rainfall forecast overnight tonight.Further rainfall is forecast over the next 24 to 48 hours which could produce further level rises. The Bureau of Meteorology has predicted that the Tweed River will: Exceed 4.80 metres at the Murwillumbah gauge late Thursday afternoon, and may reach 5.30 metres late Thursday evening. | Major flooding is forecast along the Tweed River at Murwillumbah late Thursday afternoon, with river levels predicted to be slightly higher than the 2001 and 2008 floods. Further rises are possible with rainfall forecast overnight tonight.Further rainfall is forecast over the next 24 to 48 hours which could produce further level rises. The Bureau of Meteorology has predicted that the Tweed River will: Exceed 4.80 metres at the Murwillumbah gauge late Thursday afternoon, and may reach 5.30 metres late Thursday evening. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.16am BST | at 8.16am BST |
| 7.36am BST | 7.36am BST |
| 07:36 | 07:36 |
| From NSW SES HQ within the last half-hour. | 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 | .@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 | 7.23am BST |
| 07:23 | 07:23 |
| Joshua Robertson | 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. | 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. | 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). | 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. | 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. | 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 | Updated |
| at 7.33am BST | 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 |