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Flood evacuation order lifted in Charleville

By Chrissy Arthur, Tuesday February 7, 2012 - 13:06 EDT

Floodwaters cover a swathe of land outside Charleville on February 6. Audience submitted: Alan MacDonald -

SES and council workers monitor pumps at the levee gate at the New Bridge on the Warrego River in Charleville. - Audience submitted

Authorities says the flood threat has now passed for Charleville in south-west Queensland and residents are allowed to return home.

An evacuation order has been lifted this morning, with the Warrego River falling to around 6.5 metres.

Hundreds of people have been in an evacuation centre at the Charleville showgrounds since Friday night, amid fears the levee may be breached.

Murweh Mayor Mark O'Brien says disaster managers have declared it is now safe for residents to return home.

"I've been up to the evacuation centre and told all the folks up there and they were that excited and then they went and made themselves a cup of tea," he said.

"They will pack up their goods and chattels and [go] home.

"I think most of them have actually been ducking home over the last couple of days just to check on things and have a shower, so they will just make their way home and get back to normal."

Police Inspector Mick Dowie says residents are relieved and should be commended on their response.

"I just take my hat off to the Charleville community there - they are experienced in floods but it still is a scary prospect and they were excellent in that regard," he said.

"There have been people in that evacuation centre for days and we haven't had one issue really - it has all just gone like clockwork."

Charleville resident Sean Radnedge says people are breathing a huge sigh of relief, but there are a handful of properties on the western side of the town that have been inundated.

"The guys on the other side of the river - there are still a few people out there who still can't get to their houses because there is a bit of inundation there, because unfortunately the levee has changed the heights," he said.

"I think we are going to learn some lessons out of this.

"There's just an unbelievable amount of water, it's just crazy.

"I don't think we've dodged a bullet, I think we've dodged a missile.

"People don't realise how lucky we were."

- ABC

© ABC 2012