Two dams will release water to prepare for wild weather
WATER will be released from two south east Queensland dams as the region prepares for wild weather and heavy rains this weekend.
Ex-cyclone Oswald has lashed Central Queensland over the past 24 hours leading to more than 300 SES call outs and a dozen swift water rescues.
The weather system is forecasted to move south over the weekend.
The Bureau of Meteorology expects the south east region, particularly the coastal areas, could see 200-300 mm of rain over the weekend.
Premier Campbell Newman announced this morning water would be released from the Wivenhoe and North Pine Dams in anticipation of the wet weather.
From this afternoon, 41,000 megalitres will be released from Wivenhoe Dam over the next 24 hours.
About 8000 megalitres will be drawn from the North Pine dam over six hours.
Mr Newman said he was concerned but not worried.
He explained he was not prepared to do anything or fail to do anything that would put people downstream from the dams in a compromising position.
"We are acting cautiously, sensibly and prudently to make sure we give people peace of mind..." he said.
Water Minister Mark McArdle said he had complete confidence in the dam engineers.
