Today, the Queensland region finds itself in a dire situation, notably in Laidley, as intensive flash flooding wreaks havoc. Emergency alerts have been disseminated across different regions alongside a comprehensive list of road closures.
The aftermath of the destructive former Tropical Cyclone Kirrily has led to the closure of over a hundred roads, significantly impacting safety and transportation.
Widespread and substantial precipitation, reaching up to 300 mm in certain areas, has rendered numerous highways impassable, especially to the north of Brisbane.
Following a state of alert, Lockyer Valley has witnessed significant precipitation, forcing the closure of a multitude of roads. Despite a slight alleviation of precipitation in the southern and southeast regions of Queensland, authorities emphasize the persistent danger.
The Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) highlight that numerous roads remain affected, with streams and river catchments still swollen, underscoring the ongoing need for vigilance.
Motorists are strongly urged to monitor their local council disaster dashboards to stay abreast of the latest road closures. Driving through floodwaters is a risk that should never be taken, as emphasized by QFES.
Evacuation operations are underway in the City of Moreton Bay; six evacuation centers are operational as of 2:00 pm, providing sanctuary in various locations. Emergency alerts have been issued for Laidley, Jandowae, Dalby, and Forest Hill. Residents are advised to move to higher ground, secure belongings, and heed warnings due to the imminent flood peril.
Laidley received an Emergency Alert (Watch and Act) as of 4:30 am on Tuesday, January 30. The Lockyer Valley Regional Council issued a flood warning for the Laidley vicinity due to the rapid rise in water levels. The Laidley State High School evacuation center is available for those seeking secure sanctuary.
The extensive list of road closures, categorized by sudden flooding, long-term flooding, and hazards like bridge or culvert damage, provides a clear indication of the severity of the situation. Several routes between Peninsula Developmental Road and Burke Developmental Road are impacted, posing challenges for both the local populace and emergency response services.
In addition to transportation challenges, eight schools in Queensland remain closed on Wednesday due to the continuing torrential downpour. Education Queensland made this decision in response to the inclement weather affecting the northern suburbs of Brisbane.
Community members are strongly advised to stay updated through official channels, adhere to safety protocols, and offer mutual support during these challenging circumstances. The road to recovery will undoubtedly require a collaborative effort, and the affected regions will need ongoing assistance to rebuild and recuperate from the aftermath of this flooding catastrophe.
Full List of School Closures in Queensland Due to Severe Flooding
Education Queensland has taken precautionary measures in response to the intense flash flooding affecting various regions in Queensland. As of today, several schools remain closed to ensure the safety of students, staff, and the community. Here is the full list of school closures:
Queensland State School Closures:
- Kogan State School
- Thornton State School
- Warra State School
Queensland Independent School Closures:
- Australian Christian College – Moreton (Caboolture)
- Faith Lutheran College – Plainland (Plainland)
- Indie School, Logan (Thuringowa Central)
- Mungalla Silver Lining School (Mutarnee)
- St Paul’s School (Bald Hills)
Please note that this list is subject to change, and it is crucial to stay updated through official channels for the latest information on school closures. The safety of students and staff is a top priority, and reopening decisions will be made based on the evolving weather and flood conditions in Queensland.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to check with their respective school authorities and follow official announcements from Education Queensland for any changes or updates regarding school closures. Stay safe and informed during this challenging period.
Full List of Queensland Road Closures Due to Severe Flash Flooding
The recent intense rainfall and flash flooding in Queensland have led to the closure of numerous roads across the state. Residents and travelers must stay informed about these closures to ensure safety and navigate through the impacted areas. Here is the full list of road closures categorized by flash flooding, long-term flooding, and hazards such as bridge or culvert damage:
Flash Flooding:
- Peninsula Developmental Road (Laura River Bridge), Laura – CLOSED – Laura River Bridge
- Otto Road Silkwood Court, Glenore Grove – Road Closed
- Crowley Vale Road, College View / Crowley Vale – Road Closed
- First Avenue, Kingaroy – Road Closed
- Fernvale Road, Fairney View – Road closed at Smallwoods Road
- Teelba Road, Saint George – Road closed due to flooding
- Redbank Creek Road, Adare – Water Over Road – Road Closed
- Chelmer Road, Saint George – Road closed due to flooding
- Dalkeith Road, Saint George – Road closed due to flooding
- Kooroon Road, Saint George – Road closed due to flooding
- Moon Road, Blenheim – Water Over Road – Road Closed
- Flagstone Creek Road, Carpendale / Lilydale – Water Over Road – Road Closed
- Australia II Drive Zischke Road, Hatton Vale / Kensington Grove – Water Over Road – Road Closed
- Gatton Clifton Road Winwill Connection Road, Winwill – Water Over Road – Road Closed
- East Egypt Road, Mount Whitestone – Water Over Road – Road Closed
- Hoopers Road, Inverlaw – Road closed due to flooding
- Woodlands Road, Blenheim – Water over road – Road Closed
- McLucas Road, Lower Tenthill – Water Over Road – Road Closed
- Kangaroo Yard Road, Ficks Crossing – Road closed due to flooding
- Silverleaf Road, Silverleaf – Road closed due to flooding
- Lower Tenthill Road, Lower Tenthill – Water Over Road – Road Closed
- Grantham Winwill Road, Winwill – Water over road – Road Closed
- Belle Street, Kingaroy – Road closed due to flooding
- Harm Drive, Glenore Grove – Road Closed – Water over Road
- Forestry Road Vinegar Hill, Alice Creek / Wengenville – Road Closed – Approaches to floodway damaged
- Ellesmere Road Glencliffe Road, Alice Creek / Wengenville – Road is closed due to flooding of causeway
- Tipperary Road, Moffatdale – Road Closed – Do not drive in flood waters
- Dawson Developmental Road, Nandowrie – Road Closed due to flooding
- Glenorina Road, Arcturus / Gindie – Road Closed due to Flooding
- Campbells Road, Silverleaf – Road closed due to flooding of floodway
- Hodges Road, Kingaroy – Road Closed due to flooding of causeway
- Theuerkaufs Road, Fairney View – Theurkaufs Road Closed at the concrete causeway
- Old Laidley Forest Hill Road, Forest Hill / Laidley North – Water Over Road – Road Closed – Damaged Pavement
- Edward Street, Laidley – Water over road – road closed – Dip
- Warrie Road, Saint George – Warrie Road closed due to flooding
- Ballangarry Road, Thallon – Ballangarry Road closed due to flooding
- Mount Berryman Road, Mount Berryman – Water Over Road – Road Closed – Hazard Identified
- Westmoreland Road, Nicholson – Hells Gate to NT Border – CLOSED
- Sippel Road, Blenheim – Water over Road – Sippel Road – Road Closed
- Claus Road, Glamorgan Vale – Road closed from Glamorgan Vale Road through to Noble Road
- Fitzroy Developmental Road, Rhydding – Road Closed due to water over road
- Brightview Road, Brightview – Brightview Road closed just past Jensens Swamp Road
- Memerambi Barkers Creek Road, Wattle Camp – Road closed due to flooding – Do Not Drive in Flood Waters
- Marburg Road, Glamorgan Vale – Marburg Road closed between Glamorgan Vale Road and Linnings Road
- Donald Street Kyabra Road, Eromanga – Road closed due to water over the road at Kyabra Creek
- North Kogan Road, Brigalow – North Kogan Rd closed due to water over road
- Kensington Road, Bangall – Morella Ardno Road turnoff to Hypatia Road (Closed At Bradley Creek)
- Lake Street, Atkinsons Dam – Atkinsons Dam Road closed near Lake Street
- McCarthy Road, Mount Tarampa – McCarthy Road closed between Mt Tarampa Road and Forest Hill Fernvale Road
- Causeway Road, Booyal – Road closed due to flash flooding / water over road. Do not drive through flood waters
- Honeymah Lane, Dirranbandi – Road Closed due to flooding. Do not drive through flood water
- Promisedland Road, Booyal – Road closed due to flash flooding / water over road. Do not drive through flood waters
- Moolboolaman Road, Horse Camp – Road closed due to flash flooding / water over road. Do not drive through flood waters
- Rainbows Road, South Isis – Road closed due to flash flooding / water over road. Do not drive through flood waters
- Yandaran Road, Monduran – Road closed due to flash flooding / water over road. Do not drive through flood waters
- Duckpond Road, Moolboolaman – Road closed due to flash flooding / water over road. Do not drive through flood waters
- Agnesvale Road, Kullogum – Road closed due to flash flooding / water over road. Do not drive through flood waters
- Booyal Crossing Road, Morganville – Road closed due to flash flooding / water over road. Do not drive through flood waters
- Diamond Hill Road, Monduran – Road closed due to flash flooding / water over road. Do not drive through flood waters
- Farnsfield Road, Farnsfield – Road closed due to flash flooding / water over road. Do not drive through flood waters
- Eureka Station Road, Isis Central – Road closed due to flash flooding / water over road. Do not drive through flood waters
- Brownville Road, Mount Garnet – Brownville Road, Mount Garnet is currently closed to all vehicles due to flash flooding
- Gentle Annie Road, Apple Tree Creek – Road closed due to flash flooding / water over road. Do not drive through flood waters
Long-term Flooding:
- Julia Creek Kynuna Road, Julia Creek / Kynuna – Julia Creek to Kynuna – Closed
- Burke Developmental Road, Howitt / Maramie – CLOSED from Walkers Creek to Mareeba Shire Boundary
- Flinders Highway Richmond Winton Road, Corfield / Richmond – Closed from Flinders Highway at Richmond South to Winton
- Gregory Downs Camooweal Road, Camooweal / Lawn Hill – From Burke Shire/Mt Isa City Boundary to Barkly Highway
- Flinders Highway Cloncurry / Julia Creek – Cloncurry to Julia Creek
- Dunbar Koolatah Road Dunbar Kowanyama Road, Koolatah Access – Maramie / Yagoonya – Dunbar to Koolatah
- Bloomfield Road Broadway Street, Bloomfield / Rossville – Bloomfield Rd (Rossville/Bloomfield Rd)
- Lawn Hill Road Gregory – Gregory to Century Mine Access Road – CLOSED
Hazard: Bridge or Culvert Damage:
- Charles Keough Road Ross Road, Evelyn – Weir Creek Bridge on Ross Road, Evelyn closed until further notice. Please observe signage and detour accordingly
- Gotak Road, Evelyn – Coolabbi Creek Bridge on Gotak Road, Evelyn is temporarily closed. Motorists are encouraged to observe signage and seek alternate routes
This comprehensive list serves as a guide for residents and travelers to navigate safely and avoid areas affected by flash flooding and road damage. Please stay updated with local authorities and adhere to safety precautions while traveling during this challenging period.
