Queensland flood damage bill rises

This house on the corner of Hutt Street and The Terrace in St George copped the brunt of the flooding.

RAELENE MCVINISHTHE BALONNE BEACON

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RECENT tsunami warnings keep water and flood damage top of mind on Queensland’s coast, while unpredictable storms and floods again threaten the interior.

RECORD-breaking flooding has caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage in south-west Queensland, with more downpours expected.

One of the towns hardest hit has been St George, but it still could have been worse.

The cotton-growing centre was spared a further devastating river level peak of 14 metres on Saturday night, peaking at about 13.5 metres.

With further major flooding expected this week, authorities are now focusing on hard-hit small communities to the south and west of St George.

The floods are causing problems for the townships of Thallon, Dirranbandi, near the NSW border, and Bollon, where a dozen homes are inundated.

A record flood peak of 5.3 metres is expected at Dirranbandi, as early as today, while rapid river rises are due in the border community of Hebel.

The Bureau of Meteorology says the river is expected to peak around Dirranbandi on Monday afternoon.

Balonne Shire Mayor Donna Stewart said St George had escaped the worst and the town should be back on its feet in a week.

Twenty-five homes in St George were flooded and about 40 of the town’s 2800 residents have been displaced by the flooding.

Meanwhile, many schools will remain closed today.

Closed schools include Bollon, Thallon, Peek-a-Doo, Cunnamulla, Dirranbandi and Hebel state schools, St George State High School, St George State School and Thargomindah State School.

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View Queensland weather warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology.

To keep up to date with the latest road closures across Queensland, visit www.131940.qld.gov.au.