Severe Weather Event - Emergency Information

If You Need Assistance

If you are in a life threatening situation or emergency call 000
SES – call 132 500 or log a job request online via the SES Web App
Brisbane City Council are operating evacuation centres at the Kedron Wavell Services Club in Chermside and at the Sleeman Sports Complex in Chandler. Residents are advised to take your evacuation kit with you. This should include your mobile phone and charger, spare clothing, toiletries, important documents (e.g. insurance papers, passports, birth certificates, backup of computer files), any necessary medication and prescriptions, and needs for infants such as formula or nappies. You should also take bedding with you, such as pillows and blankets. Make sure you turn off electricity and gas and lock your home.
Moreton Bay Regional Council are running a number of evacuation centres across the region – click here for locations and more information.
DRFA Disaster Recovery Funding has been activated for the following LGA’s: Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Moreton Bay, Gympie, Noosa and Somerset.
Mud Army 2.0 – you can now register to become part of the Mud Army 2.0 and lend a hand to those affected by flooding. If you need help you can also register via the BCC’s wesbite.

Keep Up to Date With Current Alerts

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services – QFES – Monitor their Facebook page or their Current Incidents page on their website.
Brisbane City Council – are posting updates on their Facebook page and February Severe Weather Event page.
You can find real time traffic updates and information on road closures at the QLD Traffic website.
The Queensland Police Service are providing emergency updates via Facebook and Twitter.
QLD Bureau of Meteorology Warnings

Latest Updates

Power

Most flood affected suburbs should have power restored by Sunday.

Rubbish

Brisbane City Council has waived tip charges for Brisbane households, while special kerbside collections have begun in flood affected suburbs. Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has said that this is not an opportunity for households that haven’t been impacted by flooding to have a clean up – this is just for flood victims only.

Ferny Grove and Chandler Resource Recovery Centres can only receive vehicles with a combined gross vehicle mass (CGVM) under 4.5 tonnes. Weight is measured via the weighbridge upon entering the resource recovery centre. For vehicles with a CGVM over 4.5 tonnes, visit our Willawong or Nudgee Resource Recovery Centres.

Emergency food waste bins will be strategically placed across affected areas of Brisbane from Wednesday 2 March 2022. The temporary orange and red top bins will accept any spoiled food from households impacted by the flood and loss of power.

Food waste bins will be pods of 360-litre bins and will be signed to indicate ‘food waste only’ drop off. They will be monitored and collected by Council contractors on a daily basis.

Traffic and Roads

Travel on all toll roads is now free to assist drivers in the clean-up efforts who are navigating road closures around Brisbane.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the toll suspension came into effect on the tunnel from 8am today, until midnight Sunday, 6 March 2022.

“Flooding has seen a number of key roads across Brisbane closed, which means toll roads were heavily relied on for essential movements over the past few days,” Mr Bailey said. “This toll suspension will help people get to where they need to be, without the burden of a toll fee at this difficult time. The toll road system provides drivers with connection to areas, which are currently cut off from other access due to flood damage.”

Mr Bailey urged drivers to reconsider any non-essential travel at this time, due to heavy traffic volumes, and not to walk or drive through flood water.

Real time traffic updates and information on road closures are available at the QLD Traffic website.

Public Transport will be free until midnight Sunday. Find information about public transport resumptions and modified timetables at the Translink website.

School Closures

Information about school closures can be found at the QLD School Closures website.

Education Minister Grace Grace encouraged families to check the website which will have each school closure listed on the site – including state, catholic and independent schools.

“The site also guides you on where to get updates on Early Childhood and Care providers,” Ms Grace said. “Schools will provide updates to parents through their usual communication channels about the closures, alternate arrangements and reopening dates.

“We would like to thank the parents, carers, teachers, staff and school communities for their resilience as the flood situation is evolving rapidly.”

Brisbane River Flood Warning

Bureau of Meteorology – 9:45 Thursday March 3

MINOR FLOOD PEAKS WITH THE HIGH TIDE AT BRISBANE CITY ON THURSDAY, RISING TO MODERATE FLOOD PEAKS DURING FRIDAY

MODERATE FLOOD LEVELS LIKELY AT IPSWICH AROUND MIDDAY THURSDAY. HIGHER LEVELS AND MAJOR FLOODING POSSIBLE OVERNIGHT THURSDAY

Renewed creek and river rises are occurring with thunderstorm activity during Thursday morning across the lower Brisbane River basin. Catchments are responding quickly to the rainfall, and likely to result in a return to further areas of moderate and major flooding during Thursday and into Friday.

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains current for intense rainfall, damaging winds and large hailstones across the council areas of Gold Coast, Redlands, Scenic Rim, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Brisbane, Moreton Bay and Sunshine Coast. Renewed river and creek level rises are expected with these storm, and the situation will continue to be monitored closely.

Residents should check the Brisbane City Council Flood Forecast Map to understand if their property is at risk of flooding from the Brisbane River.

Council’s website is regularly updated on potential flooding arising from the current severe weather event and if residents receive an alert, they should be prepared and plan their evacuation and safe route immediately.

Council has opened evacuation centres at Chandler and Chermside.

Regional Harbour Master Brisbane has directed that all vessels must not operate within the waters of the Brisbane River area.

This direction applies immediately until further notice.

The flooding occurring in South East Queensland is currently impacting the Brisbane River area and has created an unsafe environment for the operation of vessels due to significantly increased water flow rates and uncontrolled flood debris.

This direction applies to all vessels within the Brisbane River area except those operated by Maritime Safety Queensland, Queensland Police Service, State Emergency Services, and those approved by the Harbour Master Brisbane.

Police Targeting Looters Across SE Queensland

Police have launched a preventative operation to combat property crime and protect homes and businesses in flood affected areas.

Operation Uniform Nash aims to prevent, disrupt and investigate incidents of looting and property crime offences across all areas impacted by flooding from Maryborough to the Gold Coast.

The Queensland Police Service (QPS) will draw resources from across the state, including general duties, plain clothes, railway squad, dog squad and specialist police officers.

Around the clock local patrols have already commenced in flood zone areas and will include the use of resources from both the Water Police and POLAIR.

The focus will be deterring and detecting would-be thieves through increased patrols, surveillance, and intelligence provided from members of the public.

The operation follows several incidents of looting activity reported to police in Ipswich.

Ipswich Police charged a man yesterday following an alleged stealing incident in Goodna and are investigating two other reports of theft from flooded properties in Bundamba and Blackstone.

Police observed a man paddling a kayak through flood waters on Brisbane Road, carrying a large amount of bait and tackle around 3pm on Monday.

The 22-year-old Goodna man allegedly broke into the freezer of a Brisbane Road convenience store before stealing several items.

He was charged with one count of enter premise and commit indictable offence and is expected to appear in the Ipswich Magistrates Court on March 21.

A flooded charity store on Coal Street in Bundamba was broken into after 6pm on Monday night, where items of jewellery and a small amount of donated cash were taken.

In Blackstone, a resident who had evacuated returned on Monday morning to find their Thomas Street property had been broken into, with a door damaged and several items of value stolen.

Police are appealing to anyone who saw anything suspicious in those areas, or has information, to come forward as investigations continue.

Commissioner Katarina Carroll said the Queensland Police had zero tolerance for stealing, particularly in times of disaster.

“I cannot overstate how disappointed and disgusted I am that this has occurred in areas where people have had to leave their houses,” Commissioner Katarina Carroll said.

“Through this operation, we will ensure there is a strong police presence in flood affected areas to protect our community against heartless thieves.

“Our message to anyone thinking about stealing from homes or businesses is that you can expect police to track you down and ensure you are held responsible for your actions.”

Anyone who observes suspicious behaviour surrounding flooded properties, is urged to immediately contact Policelink on 131 444.