Flash flood threat for Queensland

* From: The Courier-Mail * January 09, 2011 4:05PM

RAIN threatens flash flooding and is hampering clean-up attempts in the southeast of Queensland.

Any further rain is likely to stream off already waterlogged ground, increasing the risk of flash flooding.

Emergency Management Queensland Acting Deputy Chief Officer Warren Bridson said people should stay tuned to warnings and be prepared to take appropriate action.

"We have predictions, again, of some severe weather events happening in the South Burnett, the Sunshine Coast and perhaps down around Brisbane and the southeast corner as well," he said at a daily flood briefing in Brisbane.

"We ask the communities out there to tune in your radio and television and listen to the warnings."

Mr Bridson said Queensland's summer was different to what many people have become used to, and precaution is needed.

"This year is very different to the past," Mr Bridson said.

"This year, with all of the catchments primed (and) the rivers already flooding, that 200mm of rain will mean something very different.

"It could mean the difference between a minor flood and a major flood."

He said the summer's weather conditions were similar to those which had caused major flooding in Brisbane in 1974.

Police Chief Superintendent Alistair Dawson said there had been overnight flash flooding near Gympie and Maryborough in the southeast and sudden inundations are expected elsewhere.

The Mary River at Gympie is still rising and threatens 20 businesses in the city.

At Maryborough the river is predicted to rise to 8.4m - under the predicted 9m - and has inundated three homes and three businesses.

Boat owners in the Mary River are being asked to check their vessels after problems at the local marina and other anchorages.

In Rockhampton, central Queensland, 138 people remain in evacuation centres.

"Sadly, 400 homes still have water through the actual premises themselves," Supt Dawson said.

About 150 businesses are also affected, he said.

The Fitzroy River is holding steady and the Bruce Highway north is open.

In the state's southwest the town of Condamine is involved in a major recovery program, with 47 premises cleaned, but the town is again threatened by rising waters.

In St George the floodwaters are at 13.2m and steady in the Balonne River. Four houses are flooded and a similar number have water at the floorboards, Supt Dawson said.

While Dirranbandi remains high and dry, floodwaters are at record levels and a major re-supply operation is under way.

The towns of Hebel and Thallon are not expected to be threatened further, while Surat has moved into the recovery phase.

Meanwhile, the Government jet, King Air, was hit by lightening this afternoon while carrying Queensland Premier Anna Bligh and flood recovery co-ordinator Major General Mick Slater.

The bolt of lightening hit the aircraft about 2.10pm (AEST), when Ms Bligh and Maj-Gen Slater were returning from a tour of flood-ravaged Theodore, The Courier-Mail reports.

A Government spokesman said there was a loud bang and a flash of white light through the plane.

The wing tips and tail of the aircraft were scorched, but the plane landed without incident at 2.35pm at Brisbane airport.

Two static wicks on the wings were destroyed, the spokesman said, although the engines and navigation equipment continued to operate normally.

A replacement jet has been sourced to assist with flood operations, and the King Air is expected to be out of operation for some time.

The King Air has been used throughout the flood crisis to transport the Premier, along with other personnel and supplies to flooded towns.

With AAP