Plea for calm as Brisbane braces for record deluge

[Joanne98]

Source: The Australian

Forecasts said that almost one in 10 homes could be affected by the flood waters surging down the Brisbane River.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh yesterday warned the city it faced a "frightening scenario", saying 9000 properties could be inundated and a further 30,000 hit when the river peaks beyond the 5.45m 1974 flood level tomorrow.

Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said the operators of the Wivenhoe Dam, built west of Brisbane to protect the city after the 1974 disaster that swamped more than 6000 homes and killed 14 people, had no choice but to release floodwaters into a river already swollen by tributaries after pounding rains this week.

"Today is very significant, tomorrow is bad, and Thursday is going to be devastating for the residents and businesses concerned," he said.



Read more: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/in-depth/queensland-floods/plea-for-calm-as-brisbane-braces-for-record-deluge/story-fn7iwx3v-1225985906099

[madrchsod]

1. listened to a live report on bbc overnight..

the reporter was saying there were up to a hundred cars that were trapped on a major road. the dam wasbuilt to prevent the flooding but heaviest rain fell down stream of the dam. he was reporting this while driving through the area...