Friday, February 7, 2025

Toowoomba braces as dam spills

Toowoomba Regional Council has issued a Flood Watch & Act message for local residents, with Cooby Dam beginning to spill in the early hours of this morning.

“Cooby Dam has begun to spill affecting Cooby Creek. Properties in this area may experience some flooding causing property inundation,” Council said in a statement issued at 6am. 

“You should warn neighbours, secure property and belonging and prepare to move to higher ground.” 

Residents within a 5km radius of the dam were yesterday notified about an impending spill from the dam as a result of intense rain across the region.

The TRC Water Operations centre is monitoring the region’s dam levels around the clock.

TRC Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) chair, Toowoomba Mayor, Paul Antonio said Cooby Dam was expected to spill in the early hours of Sunday morning.

“Forecasts show there is no imminent threat to Oakey township. Our operations centre is taking readings from staff at Cooby Dam, in addition to assessing rainfall figures. Readings also are being taken at Perseverance Dam and Lake Cressbrook,” Mayor Antonio said.

The Mayor said Perseverance Dam had started spilling on Saturday.

“This water spills in a controlled manner downstream to Cressbrook Dam,” he said.

“In the Region’s south-west, the Gore Highway has been closed east of Millmerran at Centenary Bridge.

“Please avoid travelling if possible and always heed the simple message; ‘If it’s flooded, forget it’. “

In a life-threatening emergency call 000 and for emergency flood or storm assistance, call the State Emergency Service on 132 500.

Advice about TRC road closures will be notified at http://disaster.tr.qld.gov.au/ 

For Bureau of Meteorology updates and warnings, please visit, http://www.bom.gov.au/ 

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