High flooding alert | Ipswich Weather | Local Weather Forecast for Ipswich

IPSWICH was on flood alert last night after the region was swamped by a deluge of more than 131mm of rain.

The rain caused misery for motorists as both main and residential roads were hit by flash flooding.

But the worst may be yet to come, with weather forecasters predicting more heavy rainfall for south-east Queensland over the next two days.

Combined dam levels are expected to climb to 70 per cent today.

(Ipswich, shrouded in a heavy coat of rain. Photo: Damian Dunlop)

Last night Ipswich City Council activated its flood centre after the Queensland Bureau of Meteorology issued warnings for the Bremer River and Lockyer, Warrill, Purga, Bundamba and Woogaroo creeks.

The city's State Emergency Service (SES) unit said it had a list of 212 jobs to go to - although, as at 8pm last night, no homes had actually been flooded. Evacuations were likely last night at Videroni Street, Bundamba.

The Bremer River was expected to peak mid-morning today, but it is believed its level will not hit that of last November's floods.

SES local controller Arie van den Ende told a meeting of the Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) that the worst hit areas were likely to be around the Bundamba Creek.

“We're getting one call every five minutes,” he said.

“We'll be working throughout the night.”

West Ipswich resident Barry Train praised the quick response of SES workers after his kitchen light blew and he saw water dripping through the roof near the light.

“When I turned the light on there was a big bang and then I saw the water dripping and thought 'geez, there could be danger here'.”

Mr Train said the SES workers scaled his house and covered the roof with protective tarpaulin despite being pelted with wind and rain on a slippery surface.

(Police officers guarding a flooded section of Kruger Parade. Photo: Sarah Harvey)

“They were phenomenal,” Mr Train said.

“The guys said the house could have gone and so they covered most of the roof just to be sure there weren't any other leaks.”

(Flooding at the beginning of Kruger Parade, Redbank Plains. Photo: Sarah Harvey)

The SES also helped to rescue 35 students and staff from Redbank Plains and Kruger state schools who were stranded yesterday afternoon.

(Police check out the flooding at the beginning of Kruger Parade. Photo: Sarah Harvey)

Brassall residents Wendy and Charles Ward were two of many Ipswich people to receive sandbags from the SES yesterday afternoon to prevent flood damage similar to that suffered in last November's floods.

(The corner of Hunter Street and Workshops Road, Brassall. Photo: Sarah Keayes)

Mrs Ward said the home's floors were soaked in November as water poured under three doors while the couple slept.

(Flooding in Banjo Paterson Park at Redbank Plains. Photo: Sarah Harvey)

“There wasn't a dry room in the house,” Mrs Ward said.

“We just finally got word that the last claim has been successful.

“We only rent but it doesn't change the fact that we lost a lot of our things.”

Mr Ward said he was glad the sandbags arrived in time.

“If the rain keeps up now at least we're safe from it,” he said.

(Heavy rain causes flooding at the Bundamba Turf Club. Photo: Damian Dunlop)

Barbara Bowers' Bundamba property was inundated the last time the Bremer broke its banks.

The street was already partly submerged yesterday afternoon and Mrs Bowers' family had spent the day moving everything they could to the top deck of her high-set home.

“It is nowhere near as high as it was last time but we are not taking any risks,” Mrs Bowers said.

• Residents can contact the Ipswich City Council call centre on 3810 6666.

How is the wild weather affecting you? Tell us your story below or send us photos via email at editorial@finda.com.au.

View flood photos from south-east Queensland.

For more images of floods around the Sunshine Coast, check out The Sunshine Coast Daily's photo gallery from Wednesday, May 20, and a second flood gallery from Thursday, May 21.

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View the RACQ report on road closures

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