Live: Flooding disaster hits Australia's east coast
Updated 6 minutes ago
Floodwaters in Bundaberg are peaking, but more than 7,000 people are unable to return to their homes as the city remains in the grip of its worst flood on record.
In New South Wales, Grafton residents have escaped a major disaster despite the Clarence River exceeding new levels but concern has shifted for communities downstream.
This morning's peak in Brisbane was not as bad as previously feared but residents are being asked to conserve water because treatment plants have been affected by flooding.
The key points this afternoon:
Bundaberg remains in the grip of a record flood, with 7,500 people displaced.
Grafton's levee has held back a record 8.1m
Clarence River flood but concerns are held for communities downstream.
There are 41,000 people isolated across NSW where flood warnings for 14 rivers are in place.
This morning's Brisbane flood peak was not as bad as expected but residents are told to conserve water.
There are fears dozens of properties at Alberton on the
Gold Coast may be inundated tonight.
Follow our live blog for the latest coverage (All times in Brisbane time AEST):
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-29/live-flooding-disaster-hits-australias-east-coast/4488032
6:47pm:
Emergency Management Queensland (EMQ) assistant director-general Bruce Grady has tweeted:
@BruceGrady Has your community slipped under the radar during the #bigwet in #Qld? Let us know how y...ow.ly/1RBP6w
6:40pm:
Here's a photo we've come across of cattle at Pine Creek near Gin Gin in Queensland's Wide Bay region.
Here's hoping they don't have to moo-ve again before the water recedes.
6:20pm:
The swollen Bremer River peaked well below levels recorded in 2011, much to the relief of residents in Ipswich.
The ABC's John Taylor filed this report earlier this afternoon:
VIDEO: Ipswich flooding peaks much lower than in 2011 (ABC News)
6:14pm:
The weather bureau says while the flood threat has reduced in Brisbane, flows into the Logan River south of of the city will peak tonight.
Logan Mayor Pam Parker told the ABC's PM program that council officials have letterbox dropped about 150 residents who will be affected.
"We expect a peak at the Waterford Bridge at between 10pm and 1am in the morning," she said.
AUDIO: Brisbane's water woes, Logan on edge (PM)
"We expect the peak to be 9 metres in height, which is equivalent to the 1991 flood.
"So I say to people, if you're not one of the 150 people that got a letter, you'll be OK, but those who have received the letter, monitor your situation as best you can and be on standby.
"Most of them are going to be OK because their homes are up high enough on the parcel of land, but there are one or two that have been very cautious and they've packed all their goods and they're ready for evacuation if necessary."
6:02pm:
On the western Darling Downs in Queensland, authorities are monitoring Charleys Creek in Chinchilla as it continues to rise.
The council is preparing for moderate to major flooding in the town, but they are hopeful no homes will be inundated.
Mayor Ray Brown says an evacuation centre has been set up at the local cultural centre.
Meanwhile in the Lockyer Valley, the focus turned to clean-up efforts as floodwaters receded across the region.
5:50pm:
The RACQ has tweeted:
@RACQOfficial We've had one of our busiest days ever with more than 4,900 roadside rescues and 3,058...
5:34pm:
Parts of northern New South Wales are yet to bear the full brunt of the floods, as the swollen Clarence River makes its way downstream from Grafton.
The flood peak in Maclean is expected around midnight and is predicted to come within 10 centimetres of the levee's limit.
Clarence Valley councillor and local resident Jim Simmons spoke to ABC News 24 a little earlier:
VIDEO: Flood levees hold in Clarence Valley (ABC News)
5:26pm:
Governor-General Quentin Bryce is to visit flood-affected areas in Queensland and New South Wales.
Tomorrow, Ms Bryce will visit patients evacuated to Brisbane from Bundaberg Hospital before travelling to the Lockyer Valley to meet volunteers and residents.
On Friday, Ms Bryce will attend a barbecue for volunteers and flood-affected residents in the Grafton area before travelling to Bundaberg.
5:20pm:
ABC Open producer Lisa Clarke has managed to reach the Queensland town of Stanwell, nearRockhampton, which has been cut off for days.
She has spoken to locals who have told of a wall of water that crashed through the town. In Sackville Street, close to 20 houses were inundated.
PHOTO: Stanwell residents Terry Dale and Sharon Druce look on at the flood damage on Sackville Stree...1234GALLERY: Floods destroy Stanwell homes
5:01pm:
Authorities says hundreds of Rockhampton residents will be affected, and the Bruce Highway will be cut, due to flooding from the Fitzroy River this weekend.
Saturday's expected peak is 8.5 metres - the river reached 9.2 metres in 2011.
4:40pm:
Around 15,000 homes and businesses are still without power on the New South Wales north coast.
The Tweed, Ballina, Byron, Lismore and Richmond Valley council areas are all affected.
Essential Energy says some regions will continue to be without supply overnight.
Thinking of everyone,take care and stay safe
My very best friend and her partner were flooded in at her Daughter's family home in Chinchilla the last I heard from her.I hope that they are all OK.
