The wild weather that has caused widespread flooding in parts of Queensland has continued to cause chaos for residents and travellers alike.
Police have declared an exclusion zone in Maryborough in the Fraser Coast region, with people in the area told to evacuate and move to higher ground.
Sadly, the massive weather event has already had tragic consequences.
A 22-year-old man drowned in a vehicle after being swept away in floodwaters on Friday in Kanigan, and the search is continuing for a 14-year-old girl who was swept away from her father near Gympie yesterday afternoon. The girl’s father was found safe and has been airlifted to hospital.
The latest Bureau of Meteorology reports indicate the Mary River has finally peaked, with the receding flood waters now beginning to reveal the full extent of damage caused by the torrential downpour.
There’s been widespread flooding in towns like Gympie and Tiaro, and across the Fraser Coast.
The Courier Mail reports that the receding floodwaters have revealed extensive damage to roads and infrastructure in the region’s west, with parts of the Burnett Highway and impassable.
But it’s not just been the impassable roads that have caused issues for grey nomads and other travellers.
Campers at Imbil Island Reach Caravan Park were evacuated to the Imbil Showgrounds on Saturday morning, while campers at the Goomeri caravan park were evacuated to higher ground late on Friday night.
The Kilkivan Hall is also helping guests at the Kilkivan Caravan Park caught out by rising waters from the creek next to Rossmore Rd.
And yesterday morning, a couple camping near Gayndah had to climb out the window of their motorhome and swim to safety in their pyjamas.
