QLD:Hundreds of Roma homes could flood

AAP General News (Australia)
04-19-2011
QLD:Hundreds of Roma homes could flood

By Kym Agius

BRISBANE, April 19 AAP - People living in low-lying areas of Roma, in Queensland's
southern inland, are being urged to leave their homes, with 280 properties at risk of
inundation.

The Bungil Creek, which runs through the town, had been expected to peak at 7.5 metres,
but it's now expected to reach a record-equalling peak of 8.1m by late afternoon, the
Bureau of Meteorology said.

"There are still rises at stations upstream that we are recording, so it looks like
it probably will exceed the initial warning that was put out this morning," BoM technical
officer David Woodman told AAP.

Maranoa Regional Mayor Robert Loughnan said the council is worried about 400 low-lying
properties, or about a quarter of the town, which could either be inundated or have water
on their properties.

"Text messages have been sent to residents this morning via the State Disaster Management
Network, and council staff are on the ground doorknocking at-risk homes and assisting
where needed," Mr Loughnan said in a statement.

"Some localised flooding of streets has already been reported, and motorists are advised
to exercise extra caution on roads."

He said about 280 homes are at risk of inundation.

Sandbags are also being laid and people are urged to move their belongings to higher ground.

Police are advising people to leave their homes.

"There are no mandatory evacuations at the moment, it's just telling people in the
area, please leave," a police spokeswoman told AAP.

"Anybody in low-lying areas we are telling to leave."

The council said it is considering setting up an evacuation centre.

The local disaster management group is holding a meeting at 10am (AEST).

The Bungil Creek peaked at 8.1m in March last year, inundating 200 homes and 400 properties.

It also reached 7.1m earlier this year.

Meanwhile, two people were rescued by police when their car was washed off the Carnarvon
Highway northeast of Roma about 7pm. They were uninjured.

Both the Carnarvon and Warrego highways are cut.

BoM forecaster Michelle Berry said heavy falls overnight were starting to ease.

In the 24 hours to 9am (AEST), Roma received 88mm, and just north of the town 114mm
fell at Tabers and 110mm at Mooga Hills.

"The rain has eased significantly through the Maranoa/Warrego district," Ms Berry told AAP.

"So we're not really expecting any further heavy falls there."

Flood warnings are current for the Comet and Dawson rivers, Bungil Creek and the Balonne
River downstream of Bungil Creek Junction and for coastal rivers and streams and adjacent
inland areas from Rockhampton to the Sunshine Coast.

AAP ka/crh/goc/

KEYWORD: FLOODS ROMA 3RD UPDATE

� 2011 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.