More than 100 homes in the Moreton Bay region – from north of Brisbane to Caloundra – were flooded in the massive deluge that swept through the region on Friday and Saturday morning.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Five residents lost their lives.
Police and Emergency Services Minister Jo-Ann Miller confirmed the impact on the community on Monday morning.
"There are 106 homes that are un-inhabitable this morning," Ms Miller said.
"So there are 106 families who simply cannot go back to live in their houses at this stage," she said.
Residents of Deception Bay and Rothwell are eligible for the Queensland Government's Immediate Hardship Assistance arrangements after the massive deluge.
The assistance was opened to residents after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk toured the worst-affected areas on Sunday with Moreton Region mayor Allan Sutherland.
"I want to thank the Premier for activating immediate Hardship Assistance Grants for residents affected by Friday's record breaking weather event," Cr Sutherland said.
"It's a crucial initiative in terms of helping our community get back on its feet and I know the Department of Communities is looking at other locations that may qualify."
Individuals living in an activated disaster area - who have lost power for seven days or more - may be provided with food vouchers to the value of $200 per person, or up to a total of $1000 per household.
Immediate assistance grants were last activated in Queensland during Cyclone Marcia in February.
Anybody needing assistance and support in their recovery from the extreme weather event should contact the Queensland Government's Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.
Moreton Bay Regional Council has set up a Community Recovery Hub at Morris Road Rothwell.
The best access is via Deception Bay Road.
Mayor Sutherland is meeting on Monday morning with the Department of Transport and Main Roads and the Moreton Bay Rail project director after residents raised concerns about flooding from Saltwater Creek, which has been impacted by the project.
Ms Miller said she was aware of the meeting about residents concerns that the rail line works may have contributed to the flooding.
"The government will be looking at what the community thinks has happened," Ms Miller said.
But she said the rainfall was truly devastating and intense.
Mayor Allan Sutherland said he was still shocked by the damage after inspecting the worst-hit areas.
"I've never seen anything like it, this was a devastating and record breaking weather event," Mayor Sutherland said.
"Nobody could have predicted just how quickly and ferociously this devastating flood event unfolded.
The Moreton Bay SES has had more than 600 calls for assistance since Friday afternoon's downpour.
The worst-affected areas
- Deception Bay – Mayor St, Embassy Crt, Samantha Crt, Nellie Crt, Delvene Crt and Nadine Place;
- Rothwell – Finnegan St, Anzac Ave and McGahey St;
- Caboolture – Male Rd, Flower St, Cadaga Place and Camden Place;
- Burpengary – Dunbeath Drive, Springfield Drive and Dale St;
- Burpengary East - Lakewood Drive and Creek Rd; and
- Morayfield – Brundit Crt and Fennell Crt.
Moreton Bay Regional Council's clean up phone numbers
- If your home has been flooded, contact Moreton Bay Regional Council's assessment team on 3205 0555;
- If you are unable to find your insurance policy details contact the Insurance Catastrophe Hotline on 1800 734 621;
- Anyone without power should call Energex 13 62 62;
- Anyone without water should contact Unitywater on 1300 0 UNITY (1300 086 489).
