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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: streets flood as schools and businesses close in Brisbane and Gold Coast – live | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 3.14am BST | |
| 03:14 | |
| Motorists appear to be ignoring the warnings of authorities to stay off the roads. Vision shows cars driving through floodwaters in Milton, on the northern banks of the Brisbane River. | |
| BMW gets stuck in floodwaters in Milton. Video: Lachie Bishop-West. Live coverage on @Ch7Queensland now. https://t.co/P58RQGdkMN #TCDebbie pic.twitter.com/Zq9BtAHmEm | |
| Backstreets in the nearby suburb of Paddington are also flooded. | |
| Beck street in Paddington flooded. #bnestorm #bigwet #TCDebbie #auspol #brisbane #brisbaneWeather pic.twitter.com/nE6q5e0mmt | |
| 3.08am BST | |
| 03:08 | |
| The State Emergency Service has received more than 430 calls for help in south-east Queensland, mostly for sandbagging. | |
| Police are receiving calls about localised flooding across the city. | |
| Police receiving numerous calls about localised flooding. Remember if it's flooded, FORGET IT. More info https://t.co/uorThgx8AG #bnetraffic pic.twitter.com/2myNSgK3eo | |
| The Queensland University of Technology has closed its campus entirely. | |
| 3.03am BST | |
| 03:03 | |
| Major flooding is now expected for NSW’s northern rivers, including the Tweed. The Bureau of Meteorology has just updated its flood warning for the region. | |
| Flood Warning updated for the Tweed River. Major flooding expected at Murwillumbah today. https://t.co/Ss766fadjj #NSWFloods pic.twitter.com/OrLAt1j2Gn | |
| 3.01am BST | |
| 03:01 | |
| We mentioned earlier that people were trapped by floodwaters at Eton, near Mackay. Emergency services say they have now evacuated more than 80 people from Eton. That includes 12 people who were taken by helicopter to Walkerstone, to the north-east. | |
| > 80 evacuations from Eton: 46 moved to higher ground yesterday; 12 choppered to Walkerstone today @ 10am. Stay away from flooded areas. | |
| 2.54am BST | |
| 02:54 | |
| The Gold Coast is experiencing major flooding. These cars are almost fully submerged outside Robina hospital. | |
| Updated | |
| at 3.01am BST | |
| 2.48am BST | |
| 02:48 | |
| Worst still to come for south-east Queensland | |
| The Bureau of Meteorology is warning that the worst is yet to come for south-east Queensland. The meteorologist James Taylor said Brisbane was now seeing 35mm to 45mm of rainfall an hour, with some areas experiencing more than 50mm. He said flash flooding was a real concern in the city. Heavy rain overnight meant the run-off from this morning’s rain would be “extremely quick”. | |
| The remnants of Cyclone Debbie are still moving towards the state’s south-east and are starting to interact with a cold front moving north. | |
| That means rainfall on the northern and southern flank of Debbie will intensify and push into the Great Dividing Range, south of Wide Bay and Burnett. | |
| “That’s one threat,” Taylor told the ABC. “The winds are also another threat. We are seeing with some of the more intense shower and thunderstorm activity, wind gusts in the order of 100-110km/h along the southern coast of Queensland. | |
| “Now, as the ex-tropical cyclone makes its way into the Tasman Sea early on Friday morning, we will see storm-force southerly winds, so winds averaging more than 100km/h [and] wind gusts more than 125km/h possible along the coastal fringe of New South Wales, and potentially into southern Queensland.” | |
| Taylor said conditions were easing on the north Queensland coast. He said the worst was over for that region. | |
| Updated | |
| at 2.55am BST | |
| 2.40am BST | 2.40am BST |
| 02:40 | 02:40 |
| Brisbane’s Breakfast Creek is flooding. The creek flows from the west into the city, past the Enoggera army base, Ballymore stadium, and the Royal Brisbane and Women’s hospital, before joining the Brisbane river. | |
| Breakfast Creek in Newmarket has had enough. @ABCemergency @abcbrisbane @HarrietTatham @LachHarro #TCDebbie pic.twitter.com/jDuFzXNWMV | Breakfast Creek in Newmarket has had enough. @ABCemergency @abcbrisbane @HarrietTatham @LachHarro #TCDebbie pic.twitter.com/jDuFzXNWMV |
| Updated | |
| at 2.52am BST | |
| 2.32am BST | 2.32am BST |
| 02:32 | 02:32 |
| This rainfall map for Brisbane (yes, it’s in there somewhere) gives an idea of just what the city is going through right now. | This rainfall map for Brisbane (yes, it’s in there somewhere) gives an idea of just what the city is going through right now. |
| 2.28am BST | 2.28am BST |
| 02:28 | 02:28 |
| There’s an update from tourist Hermione Gardiner, who is stuck on Daydream Island. She told my colleague Helen Davidson that the navy had arrived. | |
| “Navy is here, getting us off soon. I think we’re being shipped to Airlie Beach but no news what will happen when we get there … roads to Proserpine airport closed,” Gardiner said. | |
| If they do manage to get to Airlie Beach, they’ll at least be fed. The Airlie Beach catering service is putting on free food to anyone who wants it. | If they do manage to get to Airlie Beach, they’ll at least be fed. The Airlie Beach catering service is putting on free food to anyone who wants it. |
| Airlie Beach catering service has opened its door to anyone wanting a free feed. Amazing spirit on display. #TCDebbie #bigwet @abcnews pic.twitter.com/z3JCBhUxSj | Airlie Beach catering service has opened its door to anyone wanting a free feed. Amazing spirit on display. #TCDebbie #bigwet @abcnews pic.twitter.com/z3JCBhUxSj |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.51am BST | |
| 2.20am BST | 2.20am BST |
| 02:20 | 02:20 |
| Some pretty scary rainfall figures coming out of Brisbane. In Aspley, a suburb in the city’s north, 122mm fell in three hours. In nearby Alderley, 130mm fell over the same time. A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for the Brisbane city and Moreton Bay council areas. | |
| Very dangerous situation unfolding in the #Brisbane region severe #storm warning for heavy #rain https://t.co/Fj5G2kwg7E #bigwet pic.twitter.com/JXY9fqvzwJ | Very dangerous situation unfolding in the #Brisbane region severe #storm warning for heavy #rain https://t.co/Fj5G2kwg7E #bigwet pic.twitter.com/JXY9fqvzwJ |
| Severe storm warning for HEAVY RAIN. 122mm in 3 hrs at Aspley. 130mm in 3 hrs at Alderley. STAY OFF THE ROADS https://t.co/q8KzehZzFX #alert pic.twitter.com/oHvAZO3c4T | Severe storm warning for HEAVY RAIN. 122mm in 3 hrs at Aspley. 130mm in 3 hrs at Alderley. STAY OFF THE ROADS https://t.co/q8KzehZzFX #alert pic.twitter.com/oHvAZO3c4T |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.50am BST | |
| 2.04am BST | 2.04am BST |
| 02:04 | 02:04 |
| Thousands of stranded tourists will be evacuated from Hamilton Island as conditions ease, and Virgin, Qantas and Jetstar resume flights to Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Cairns. But Hamilton Island authorities are warning passengers that flights are already near capacity, and that the loss of power and communications is forcing airlines to conduct manual check-ins. That means each check-in will take about 25 minutes. | Thousands of stranded tourists will be evacuated from Hamilton Island as conditions ease, and Virgin, Qantas and Jetstar resume flights to Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Cairns. But Hamilton Island authorities are warning passengers that flights are already near capacity, and that the loss of power and communications is forcing airlines to conduct manual check-ins. That means each check-in will take about 25 minutes. |
| “As such, we are anticipating long waits for guests and apologise in advance for this inconvenience,” the authorities said. | |
| “With over 3,000 guests in the Whitsunday region needing to return home, not all guests will be able to secure seats on a flight home today.” | “With over 3,000 guests in the Whitsunday region needing to return home, not all guests will be able to secure seats on a flight home today.” |
| UPDATE (11am QLD time): We thank you for your continued patience please see the latest flight update attached for #HamiltonIsland pic.twitter.com/QPwFoXZLec | UPDATE (11am QLD time): We thank you for your continued patience please see the latest flight update attached for #HamiltonIsland pic.twitter.com/QPwFoXZLec |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.50am BST | |
| 1.56am BST | 1.56am BST |
| 01:56 | 01:56 |
| Rockhampton regional council has updated its list of road closures. You can check for the latest list here. | Rockhampton regional council has updated its list of road closures. You can check for the latest list here. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.00am BST | at 2.00am BST |
| 1.52am BST | 1.52am BST |
| 01:52 | 01:52 |
| AAP has compiled this list of closures as a result of the weather in south-east Queensland: | |
| 763 state schools, 1,286 Catholic and private schools, and 546 childcare centres are now closed. | |
| Beaches along 600km of coastline between Agnes Water and the New South Wales border have been closed. | |
| The Australian Surf Lifesaving Championships on the Gold Coast have been suspended until further notice. | The Australian Surf Lifesaving Championships on the Gold Coast have been suspended until further notice. |
| Gold Coast theme parks Dreamworld, Movie World, Wet’N’Wild and Sea World are all closed for the day. | |
| Griffith University campuses and Queensland University of Technology campuses to close campuses from noon. University of Queensland campuses across the south-east have been closed for the day. Bond University and University of Sunshine Coast campuses are also closed. | Griffith University campuses and Queensland University of Technology campuses to close campuses from noon. University of Queensland campuses across the south-east have been closed for the day. Bond University and University of Sunshine Coast campuses are also closed. |
| Tafe Queensland has closed all south-east Queensland campuses and some rural campuses. | |
| Queensland Museum and the Gallery of Modern Art closed. | Queensland Museum and the Gallery of Modern Art closed. |
| All criminal matters adjourned at Brisbane’s supreme and district courts. Civil matters proceeding as they can on a case-by-case basis. | All criminal matters adjourned at Brisbane’s supreme and district courts. Civil matters proceeding as they can on a case-by-case basis. |
| Elective surgery at the Gold Coast University hospital cancelled. | Elective surgery at the Gold Coast University hospital cancelled. |
| More than 200 roads across Queensland are closed. | More than 200 roads across Queensland are closed. |
| All south-east public transport services are experiencing delays, with inbound trains between Bowen Hills and Newmarket suspended. CityCat services are running a reduced schedule. | |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.49am BST | |
| 1.46am BST | 1.46am BST |
| 01:46 | 01:46 |
| Streets in Brisbane are already flooding. A full list of closures is on the Department of Transport and Main Roads’ website. | Streets in Brisbane are already flooding. A full list of closures is on the Department of Transport and Main Roads’ website. |
| Munro Street at St Lucia opposite #UQ flooded #bigwet #Brisbane pic.twitter.com/3AkTviZIOT | Munro Street at St Lucia opposite #UQ flooded #bigwet #Brisbane pic.twitter.com/3AkTviZIOT |
| Person looks on as car submerged in flood water. Heroes Avenue, Toowong. #ifitsfloodedforgetit @snoozen pic.twitter.com/ZWB4dD489B | Person looks on as car submerged in flood water. Heroes Avenue, Toowong. #ifitsfloodedforgetit @snoozen pic.twitter.com/ZWB4dD489B |
| Quick run down to the end of road to check on #KedronBrook... It's raging! #Brisbane #BigWet #CycloneDebbie #Qld pic.twitter.com/CgQMlHVCVe | Quick run down to the end of road to check on #KedronBrook... It's raging! #Brisbane #BigWet #CycloneDebbie #Qld pic.twitter.com/CgQMlHVCVe |
| 1.36am BST | 1.36am BST |
| 01:36 | 01:36 |
| Gold Coast airport cancels flights | Gold Coast airport cancels flights |
| The Gold Coast airport is cancelling all Tigerair flights. Virgin flights are cancelled from midday local time. | The Gold Coast airport is cancelling all Tigerair flights. Virgin flights are cancelled from midday local time. |
| ⚠️🌧️ All Tigerair services have been cancelled for the remainder of the day. Virgin Australia services have been cancelled from 12pm AEST. | ⚠️🌧️ All Tigerair services have been cancelled for the remainder of the day. Virgin Australia services have been cancelled from 12pm AEST. |
| The latest advice from Brisbane airport is that it remains open but will experience delays because of the weather. | The latest advice from Brisbane airport is that it remains open but will experience delays because of the weather. |
| ‼Airport Update ‼We are open however we are experiencing some delays due to ☔. Best to check with your airline for latest info! #bigwet pic.twitter.com/7AMXtnNbT1 | ‼Airport Update ‼We are open however we are experiencing some delays due to ☔. Best to check with your airline for latest info! #bigwet pic.twitter.com/7AMXtnNbT1 |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.41am BST | at 1.41am BST |
| 1.33am BST | 1.33am BST |
| 01:33 | 01:33 |
| Roads across a vast region of the state have either been cut off, damaged or flooded. Authorities are continuing to warn motorists to stay off the roads. Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads has a map of the known road closures here but it may not be exhaustive. | Roads across a vast region of the state have either been cut off, damaged or flooded. Authorities are continuing to warn motorists to stay off the roads. Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads has a map of the known road closures here but it may not be exhaustive. |
| The Marlborough-Sarina Road, which runs south of Mackay, has collapsed in the heavy rains. | The Marlborough-Sarina Road, which runs south of Mackay, has collapsed in the heavy rains. |
| Section of Old Maryborough-Sarina Road collapsed after heavy rain. Photos by Theresa Allgood: #bigwet #TCDebbie #qldfloods pic.twitter.com/PTKW5i5AL8 | Section of Old Maryborough-Sarina Road collapsed after heavy rain. Photos by Theresa Allgood: #bigwet #TCDebbie #qldfloods pic.twitter.com/PTKW5i5AL8 |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.41am BST | at 1.41am BST |
| 1.27am BST | 1.27am BST |
| 01:27 | 01:27 |
| Emergency services are reminding parents to keep their kids away from flooded creeks and drains after the closure of all schools between Agnes Water and NSW. | Emergency services are reminding parents to keep their kids away from flooded creeks and drains after the closure of all schools between Agnes Water and NSW. |
| The closures include independent and private schools. Businesses have also been urged to close after midday. | The closures include independent and private schools. Businesses have also been urged to close after midday. |
| With schools closed across Qld, parents keep kids inside & away from flooded creeks/drains: https://t.co/i8nlUK6X0W pic.twitter.com/IF2BCxzfaq | With schools closed across Qld, parents keep kids inside & away from flooded creeks/drains: https://t.co/i8nlUK6X0W pic.twitter.com/IF2BCxzfaq |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.29am BST | at 1.29am BST |
| 1.22am BST | 1.22am BST |
| 01:22 | 01:22 |
| We mentioned earlier that Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten had visited cyclone-ravaged areas in north Queensland. They’ve declared themselves on a “unity ticket” in support of the region. These photos of their trip along the north Queensland coast have just come in. | We mentioned earlier that Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten had visited cyclone-ravaged areas in north Queensland. They’ve declared themselves on a “unity ticket” in support of the region. These photos of their trip along the north Queensland coast have just come in. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.30am BST | at 1.30am BST |
| 1.13am BST | 1.13am BST |
| 01:13 | 01:13 |
| An ABC reporter, Megan Hendry, has just tweeted this picture of a snake on the flooded Bruce Highway, at Bajool, south of Rockhampton. | An ABC reporter, Megan Hendry, has just tweeted this picture of a snake on the flooded Bruce Highway, at Bajool, south of Rockhampton. |
| Snakes on a highway. Wildlife escaping the floodwaters across the Bruce at Bajool pic.twitter.com/LLeY5BXRXd | Snakes on a highway. Wildlife escaping the floodwaters across the Bruce at Bajool pic.twitter.com/LLeY5BXRXd |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.21am BST | at 1.21am BST |