The Bundaberg Region has enjoyed a welcome drop over the past few days, with rainfall bringing relief from hot and humid conditions.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, 26.6 mm of rain fell on Sunday 11 January, followed by 28.8 mm on Monday 12 January at the Bundaberg Aero station.
The Bureau is forecasting more showers to continue during the week, with conditions expected to ease slightly and become warmer and drier on Thursday and Friday before rain and possible thunderstorms make a return over the weekend.
While the rainfall has been good news, Bundaberg Regional Council is reminding residents that wet weather also brings risks, particularly around flooded roads, creeks and low-lying areas.
Mayor Helen Blackburn said Council was encouraging the community to remember one simple message: if it’s flooded, forget it.
“Floodwater can be deeper and faster moving than it appears and attempting to drive, walk or play in it can be extremely dangerous,” she said.
“Residents are encouraged to regularly check the Bundaberg Regional Disaster Dashboard, which provides up-to-date information on road conditions, weather warnings and local impacts as they occur.”
On Monday 12 January the Bureau of Meteorology issued a Flood Watch for parts of the Capricornia and Wide Bay and Burnett regions, including nearby inland catchments.
What is a Flood Watch?
A Flood Watch means flooding is possible, not guaranteed and serves as an early “heads-up” for communities to monitor conditions.
The most recent Flood Watch has been issued due to Ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji, which is now weakening as it moves inland over northern Queensland.
Within its Flood Watch for the Wide Bay region the Bureau of Meteorology said heavy rainfall was likely to continue and local were catchments “drier and may take longer to respond to rainfall”.
The Bureau is encouraging communities to stay informed and monitor river levels.
Catchments likely to be affected include:
- Kolan River
- Burnett River
- Burrum and Cherwell Rivers
- Baffle Creek
Find out more on the Bureau of Meteorology website here and find the latest warnings here.
Keep up to date with local weather through the Bundaberg Regional Council Disaster Dashboard here.
