Weather News

add to my site

River flood forces Gympie businesses to evacuate

By Jonathon Hall and staff, Saturday February 25, 2012 - 18:55 EDT

Sunshine Coast lashed ... debris litters a street in Pomona. - ABC

Businesses in Gympie in south-east Queensland have been evacuated as the Mary River continues to rise.

The surrounding region has been soaked by torrential rain.

Forecasters predict flood heights at Gympie will peak at 16 metres Sunday morning. No homes are under threat but Gympie Mayor Ron Dyne says some businesses are evacuating.

"It will be minimal amount of water to go through but enough that they're not prepared to gamble," he said.

Thirteen people had to be rescued south of the city Saturday afternoon after rising waters isolated their campsite.

Residents in the town of Pomona on the Sunshine Coast are continuing a massive cleanup after flash flooding there.

Authorities also carried out a number of swift-water rescues. In one incident at Pomona four people were trapped inside a bus.

Homes and businesses in Pomona were inundated by flash flooding due to 300 millimetres of heavy rainfall.

Shipping containers were tossed about and debris sits high in trees.

Resident Mary Lehane says the force of the water was terrifying.

"Just like a plane coming through and the water ... the current was just incredible," she said.

The state's main rail line has also been cut between Nambour and Gympie.

A total of 181 millimetres was recorded in one hour at Cooroy, in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, while Noosa had about 260 millimetres.

About 2,500 homes were without power in the region.

The SES had almost 180 calls for help.

- ABC

© ABC 2012