We have some more images, this time from Getty:
The weather bureau has just posted another update on the evolving situation.
They say heavy rainfall is clearing for most of Brisbane and Gladstone and shifting further north to the Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay.
But it’ll still be a “wet weekend” for Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Earlier, Palaszczuk was asked what impacts dam releases are having at the moment. Here’s her answer:
I was just advised… that storages across the SEQ grid have gone from 89% to 94.7%. Wivenhoe is at 110.5%. In February it was 185%, so there’s still plenty of flood storage available.
They have been having some controlled releases and they’re actually going to stop that over the next short period of time, when we see those major river rises.
Queensland minister for fire and emergency services, Mark Ryan, is answering a question about how people are receiving emergency alerts.
He says some councils – such as Brisbane City Council – issue their own alerts via an opt-in voluntary system, in addition to the national system administered by the state.
Can I assure all Queenslanders that the state-based broadcast system works well, it’s a national system administered by the state.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services says it’s had to rescue people in low-lying areas where water has risen quickly.
QFES says most people rescued haven’t had “situational awareness” of the unfolding event or made the “decision to turn around.”
They say they’ve deployed crew in Toowoomba, Warwick and other areas.
Queensland police are urging people to stay safe and to stay away from flooded roads. They say there will be several road closures across the state today.
If it is flooded, forget it. We have lost far too many lives on the roads this year and in previous events.
BOM says flood situation is ‘evolving’
The Bureau of Meteorology Queensland is speaking. Their main message is that this is “an evolving situation” and they want people to stay across the weather updates.
They have five major warnings, six moderate and three minor current for the Brisbane area.
Palaszczuk said the SES has received 150 calls for help, with water teams performing nine rescues.
If you don’t need to be out on the roads, please don’t travel unless you absolutely must. And please remember, if it is flooded, forget it.
And more images of the flooding are coming in now from our photographer David Kelly:
Annastacia Palaszczuk speaks about Queensland flooding
Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is giving a weather briefing.
She said it’ll take another 24 hours for the heavy rainfall in south-east Queensland to move on.
Three hundred properties in Laidley in the Lockyer Valley have been affected by the flooding and eight evacuation centres have opened, Palaszczuk said.
This rainfall is not like we saw in the previous event. This rainfall is actually more sporadic, and not as heavy.
Queensland Fire and Rescue is again reminding motorists to not drive through flood waters. A large number of roads are cut due to flooding.
With flooding impacting a large number of roads, please reconsider the need to be driving today. The easiest way to stay safe is to just stay home. Remember, if it’s flooded, forget it. https://t.co/lMjo589lgf
— Qld Fire & Emergency (@QldFES) May 12, 2022
There are some wild photos coming in showing the extent of the flooding across south-east Queensland. These are really scary scenes to see months after the record-breaking and relentless deluge that flooded towns and cities in Queensland back in February.
Stay safe everyone!
Bicentennial Bikeway is underwater again. Rainfall intensifying today, and flooding likely to continue for the next 24 hours depending on how much rain, dam releases and tides. pic.twitter.com/776JzRsqnH
— Brisbane West BUG (@BrisbaneWestBUG) May 12, 2022
Riders report that the Bicentennials Bikeway is flooding at the ferry near drift. Picture from 9am this morning. pic.twitter.com/ltIQUfZg1A
— space4cyclingbne (@space4cyclingbn) May 12, 2022
Parts of the south-east have received more than 100mm of rain in the past 24 hours.
Good morning
Good morning and welcome to our rolling coverage of Queensland’s flood emergency. Heavy rainfall is lashing the south-east of the state this morning, resulting in flash flooding across many parts of the state. Here are the key developments:
- Major flooding is forecast for Cape River, Laidley Creek, Cooper Creek, Warrill Creek, Bremer River and the Logan and Condamine rivers.
- Moderate flood warnings have been issued for the Brisbane rivers, Eyre Creek, Baffle Creek and Kolan River and Mary River at Gympie.
- An evacuation siren has sounded in the Lockyer Valley, south-west of Brisbane, with residents in low-lying areas urged to move to higher ground.
- In Brisbane, ferry services have been cancelled and sand-bagging stations have opened.
- Flash flooding has cut many roads throughout the state, and almost 70 schools have closed.
- Gold Coast beaches have also shut, with hazardous surf pounding the coastline.
Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will hold a weather briefing at 11am AEST. We’ll be live-blogging that press conference and bringing you all the latest weather updates and emergency warnings throughout the day.