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Sunshine Coast flooding 03 April 2009 update
04/3/2009

Flooding keeps emergency services busy overnight

Emergency services personnel worked through the night in response to flooding across the North Coast Region.

Dozens of SES volunteers were activated across the North Coast region yesterday to undertake temporary roof repair and sandbagging jobs, with major flash flooding affecting areas between Eumundi and Cooran. Several Queensland Fire and Rescue Service crews also assisted in the response efforts.

In the 24 hours to 6am this morning the SES 132 500 number received 547 calls across Queensland. Of these calls, 139 were from the Noosa area, 76 from Maroochydore, 72 from the Gold Coast and 51 from Brisbane region.

Seventy-eight people were evacuated from the Harry’s Hut camping ground in Noosa National Park to Boreen Point in floodboats with the assistance of personnel from SES, Coastguard, Queensland Police and Queensland Parks and Wildlife. The evacuees were then transported back to their point of origin at Ipswich by bus.

Emergency services received a number of reports of vehicles being driven into floodwaters. Many of them were able to make their own way out but three people were rescued by QFRS Swift Water Rescue specialists at Tewantin after their vehicle was swept away by floodwaters and pinned against a tree. When they were found, only the bonnet and roof of the vehicle was visible.

A small number of campers and caravan park occupants were evacuated from the Boreen Point Caravan Park.

SES volunteers were also activated across the Brisbane and South East regions to undertake tarping and sandbagging jobs.

Emergency Management Queensland urges people to be aware of the dangers of flash flooding and avoid driving, walking or riding through floodwaters.

Nine lives have already been lost in flooding events in Queensland over recent months and Emergency Management Queensland strongly advises people to stay well away from these flooded roads, drains, creeks and causeways during times of heavy rain.

Residents are reminded to contact the SES on 132 500 for emergency assistance during storms or floods.










Contact: For more information contact Department of Emergency Services Media on 3247 8186