ID :
103443
Fri, 01/29/2010 - 17:35
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/103443
The shortlink copeid
Olga may cause floods in Queensland
An unwelcome combination of king tides and wild weather is expected to cause
flooding and damage in many parts of Queensland over the weekend.
Ex-tropical cyclone Olga is expected to re-form in the Gulf of Carpentaria late on
Friday or early on Saturday, bringing destructive winds and floods to communities as
it crosses the coast between Burketown and Karumba.
The Bureau of Meteorology predicts Olga will then move in a southeasterly direction,
bringing heavy rain to the tropical north and western Queensland, while showers are
expected in the state's southeast corner.
Emergency services are preparing for likely flooding at Townsville, where king tides
on Saturday and Sunday and an expected downpour of 200mm in the next 24 hours is
likely to see low-lying areas inundated.
"Obviously, that will put a crest on the top of the king tides so we are warning
people to expect higher than predicted tides," mayor Les Tyrell told AAP on Friday.
Mr Tyrell said he expected the impact of the tides to be on par with similar ones
last week which caused flooding in low-lying areas of the city.
"With all the rain we've had, all the waterways are full and once you get the tide
coming in that stops the water getting away," he said.
He said locals had collected hundreds of sandbags from the local State Emergency
Services (SES) headquarters in anticipation of flooding.
Emergency Management Queensland has also warned residents in the Mackay and
Rockhampton areas to be prepared for heavy rain and possible flooding in the coming
days.
Torres Strait residents, however, appear to have been spared the serious flooding
predicted to accompany the high tides.
Properties were sandbagged on six islands while five properties in flood-prone areas
were evacuated ahead of the peak of the tide around noon (AEST) on Friday.
However, Emergency Management Queensland spokesman Wayne Hepple said no properties
were damaged.
"We've been pretty fortunate and if conditions are similar tomorrow (Saturday) I
don't think it will cause any problems," he said.
flooding and damage in many parts of Queensland over the weekend.
Ex-tropical cyclone Olga is expected to re-form in the Gulf of Carpentaria late on
Friday or early on Saturday, bringing destructive winds and floods to communities as
it crosses the coast between Burketown and Karumba.
The Bureau of Meteorology predicts Olga will then move in a southeasterly direction,
bringing heavy rain to the tropical north and western Queensland, while showers are
expected in the state's southeast corner.
Emergency services are preparing for likely flooding at Townsville, where king tides
on Saturday and Sunday and an expected downpour of 200mm in the next 24 hours is
likely to see low-lying areas inundated.
"Obviously, that will put a crest on the top of the king tides so we are warning
people to expect higher than predicted tides," mayor Les Tyrell told AAP on Friday.
Mr Tyrell said he expected the impact of the tides to be on par with similar ones
last week which caused flooding in low-lying areas of the city.
"With all the rain we've had, all the waterways are full and once you get the tide
coming in that stops the water getting away," he said.
He said locals had collected hundreds of sandbags from the local State Emergency
Services (SES) headquarters in anticipation of flooding.
Emergency Management Queensland has also warned residents in the Mackay and
Rockhampton areas to be prepared for heavy rain and possible flooding in the coming
days.
Torres Strait residents, however, appear to have been spared the serious flooding
predicted to accompany the high tides.
Properties were sandbagged on six islands while five properties in flood-prone areas
were evacuated ahead of the peak of the tide around noon (AEST) on Friday.
However, Emergency Management Queensland spokesman Wayne Hepple said no properties
were damaged.
"We've been pretty fortunate and if conditions are similar tomorrow (Saturday) I
don't think it will cause any problems," he said.
