Police urge motorists to re-think their travel as severe weather continues across Wide Bay Burnett

Police would like to remind members of the public to exercise extreme caution with heavy rain fall, localised flooding and hazardous surf being experienced across the Wide Bay Burnett area.

During and immediately after severe weather events traversing roadways, either in vehicles or on foot, can be extremely hazardous as water levels can rise and fall quickly.

The public are urged to re-think their need to travel and stay off the roads if possible.

If driving please travel with extreme caution and drive to the prevailing weather and road conditions – plan your trip, allow additional travel time, incorporating travelling at lower speeds, delays and diversions .

Members of the public are urged to avoid flooded roads, creeks and watercourses and motorists are also reminded that road closures and road conditions can change rapidly as creeks and water courses can rise and fall quickly.

If it’s flooded, forget it! https://www.qld.gov.au/about/newsroom/if-its-flooded-forget-it – floodwaters can change everything without warning.

Parents are also reminded to ensure their children are not playing in flood prone waterways, watercourses and drains as water levels can rise quickly.

Emergency Alerts have been issued for Gympie (7.30am, Saturday, Jan 8) https://www.facebook.com/QldFireandEmergencyServices/posts/229803852665191 and Tiaro and Miva (11pm, Friday January 7) https://www.facebook.com/QldFireandEmergencyServices/posts/229566706022239

Stay up to date with the latest Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) warnings https://www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings/

Major flood warning has been issued by BoM for the Mary River and moderate flood warning for the Balonne River; Initial minor flood warning for the Burrum River Catchment; Initial moderate flood warning for the lower Burnett River and minor flood warning for Barambah Creek – https://www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings/flood/index.shtml – (5:31am, Saturday, January 8)

Also monitor your local council and media for local updates.

Traffic and road closure information for State government roads can be found here https://qldtraffic.qld.gov.au/

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