St George Flood 2012

Submitted: Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 08:42

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Sir Kev & Darkie

For those interested in how St George is going here is an update on the flood.

The river is currently at 13.85m as at 5:45am this morning, (Approx 3.15m over the bridge).

For those who were at the St George National Gathering in 2009, the camping area where we stayed is wet.

Below is a photo from the verandah of one of the workers houses at the dam (the ones about 200m away from the main road to the dam wall)

Image Could Not Be Found

The Visitor Information centre has water in the car park across the road.

The Riversand Winery is very wet (haven't heard if water has made it into the cellar yet).

I did a dash to St George on Sunday night to escort family in sedans out through flood water on the Moonie Highway. I left Chinchilla at around 4pm and got home close to 11pm. My families propertys are fine at the moment as the water needed to exceed 14.5m to effect them. Although i have a house full of stressed family members :)

Dad and my BIL are still in St George so I will try and get some more updates from them when they call.

Thanks to all the people who have contacted me via email and MM, your offers of support and assistance is Fantastic :)

We (as in EO) may have to return to St George for another gathering to scare the flood gods away (I think they are blaming us for it as they had 10+ years of drought prior to the 2009 Gathering LOL)

Cheers Kev

Russell Coight:
He was presented with a difficult decision: push on into the stretching deserts, or return home to his wife.

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Reply By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 08:50

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 08:50

Hi Kev

Thanks for the updates. We are thinking of everyone up there at the moment and offer our support in these very trying times.

All the very Best to you and your family and everyone up there.

Cheers

Stephen

Simpson Desert Colours

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Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 10:16

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 10:16

Stephen,

Life will go on, the hard work is yet to commence as the clean up will be a killer this time I reckon.

Cheers Kev

Russell Coight:
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Follow Up By: Member - Old Girl - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 20:47

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 20:47

Last couple of days have been hot and humid. Not a nice climate to clean fast drying smelly mud. I take my hat off to all the helpers. Good to see your house is fine kev.
Sharon

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Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 20:49

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 20:49

Sharon,

They reckon about 50 homes in St George have gone under, 190 in Roma, and 180ish in Mitchell.

Cheers Kev

Russell Coight:
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Reply By: Gnomey - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 09:12

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 09:12

G'day Kev
Always had a soft spot for St George. As a young man I spent a memorable 6 months up there living and working on a cattle property not far out of town. The son is running the place now I believe and it's right beside the Balonne. Twice in 2 years is nasty. 3m over the bridge is a scary lot of water.

Thinking of all the folks up there and wishing you well in the face of adversity.

Cheers
Mark

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Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 10:15

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 10:15

Mark,

What is the property name?

I might well know them :)

Cheers Kev

Russell Coight:
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Follow Up By: Gnomey - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 18:04

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 18:04

Kev
Sorry for the delay. The property is Thungaby. Stewart's place was next door downstream and forget who was upstream.

Jim Gunn was running the show when I was there and I think his son Bob is in charge now. Lot's of good memories and stories about good people.....

Cheers
Mark

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Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 18:07

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 18:07

Mark,

Mum knows Jim and Bob.

Cheers Kev

Russell Coight:
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Follow Up By: Gnomey - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 18:32

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 18:32

Kev
Don't want to hijack the thread but I'd be interested in Bob's contact details if known. Last time around I thought of offering to go up and help a bit but I got involved in helping a friend of a friend closer to home who had lost his fences.

Wouldn't hurt to give him a ring - assuming of course the line is up and someone's there to answer.

You can reach me at

Cheers
Mark

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Follow Up By: Gnomey - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 18:34

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 18:34

Whoops. Seem to have lost the encrypted email. it went like this

markherron at orgid dot net.

Cheers
Mark

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Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 18:42

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 18:42

Mark,

Will see what I can find out for you :)

Cheers Kev

Russell Coight:
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Reply By: Robin Miller - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 09:34

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 09:34

Thinking of you all up there Kev.

Co-incidently today is the 3rd anniversary of our worse ever natural disaster - the Black saturday fires , and over 100 deaths in our shire of Murrindindi.

Robin Miller

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Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 10:19

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 10:19

Robin,

The St George area has only had 1 death in this flood, an 18 month old on a property to the west of town somehow wandered into the flood water while the adults were scrambling to move gear and drowned :(

Those 3 years seem to have gone quickly yet it seems like only yesterday that we were all glued to the TV or Radio trying to find out what was happening down there.

Cheers Kev

Russell Coight:
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Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 11:06

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 11:06

Ok Kev - sad to hear of any deaths, sometimes it can be the little things one doesn't think of.

You made me think back a bit and it was almost the same date last year 6 feb, I wrote a post 84159 about our mini Yasi - it was banned at the time - never could understand why - but now is there via a thread number search.

It was about getting temporaliy trapped inside a building by rising floodwaters.

The unseen danger was of electrocution as water rose over power leads all over the place.

Something for those in CV parks or flooding houses to consider.

Maybe we should fly away on a holidays every Feb.

Maybe better not - planes crash.

Take Care

Robin Miller

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Reply By: baz&pud (Tassie) - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 09:46

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 09:46

Morning Kev,

Heard on the news this am that St George had a drop of water around it.

I just can't get my head around the amount of rain you guys get up there, and the amount of damage that is caused by a few hours of rain.

Hope all is well with you Sam and the girls, thinking of you.

Cheers
Baz&Pud

Go caravaning, life is so much shorter than death.

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Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 10:21

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 10:21

Baz & Pud,

Few hours of rain?

Few days of constant heavy rain did it LOL

Chinchilla got virtually no Rain, yet 50km to the west got 200+mm overnight.

Can't work Mother Nature out sometimes.

Cheers Kev

Russell Coight:
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Follow Up By: Member - Old Girl - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 21:39

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 21:39

If that was my guage id be getting wet emptying it all the time. My uncle in Adelaide blames us for taking the water from the Murray. john held back a bit when telling him he can have the bloody water. Causes too much damage up here.
Sharon

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Reply By: MEMBER - Darian, SA - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 10:14

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 10:14

Worrying to see it all - we spent a few great nights there around September last year (van park, eastern end of town) - we left the car hooked up and walked the town back and forth a couple of times - best way to see any town I think. One thing noted of course is how flat the region is - we came from Dalby and went out via 'Bandi and Hebel - flat as a billiard table in every direction - no wonder the water spreads so far........ we saw some quite new houses at the eastern end of town too - they might wish they had chosen the 'up on stilts' option, for the future. While on one stroll, we bumped into the Hon. Barnaby on The Terrace and had a chat. Next time, we'll have to meet the mayor :-o).

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Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 10:26

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 10:26

The van park and that side of town is dry :)

If you want to meet the Current Mayor then i think you'll be disappointed. I think you would be better to meet the former Mayor, (he did free town tours during the 2009 Gathering) he is a very generous and extremely Town and Region proud man.

Without his knowledge of town I think some more areas would have been inundated, he is the man Barnaby speaks of when he states that this flood isn't the biggest St George has seen, it is for Living Memory, but there is records of people jumping off the 2nd floor of the Pubs on the Terrace into flood water in 1890.

Cheers Kev

Russell Coight:
He was presented with a difficult decision: push on into the stretching deserts, or return home to his wife.

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Reply By: Allan B (Member, SunCoast) - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 10:38

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 10:38

Hi Kev, Really sorry for the people of St George which is our first stopover on our western treks and we really like the place.

I never understand the expression of river (or tide) heights. "13.85m" over what? The river bed or normal level or what? It means little to me and may not be very significant if the usual height is say 12m.
3.15m over the bridge I understand.

Can someone educate me please?

Cheers
Allan

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Follow Up By: Member - Ed C (QLD) - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 12:50

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 12:50

The zero level of a river gauge ("gauge zero") is typically set at the low flow level of the stream, i.e. the water level of the stream after a long dry spell. River heights are measured in metres above the gauge zero. For example, a river height reading of 5 metres means that the water level has risen 5 metres above its lowest level. In tidal areas, the gauge zero may be set at the mean tide level.

sourcehttp://www.bom.gov.au/hydro/flood/qld/brochures/qld/fld_qld.shtml

:)

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....Not necessarily mechanic!!"

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Follow Up By: Allan B (Member, SunCoast) - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 13:08

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 13:08

Thanks Ed, that clears it up for me.

Cheers
Allan

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Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 14:31

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 14:31

Allan,

The 13.85m is from the lower side of the Weir over which the Bridge is built.

Cheers Kev

Russell Coight:
He was presented with a difficult decision: push on into the stretching deserts, or return home to his wife.

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Follow Up By: Allan B (Member, SunCoast) - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 14:34

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 14:34

Thanks Kev.

Cheers
Allan

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Reply By: Rockape - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 10:51

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 10:51

Kev,
all the best and may everyone be safe from here on until the waters have receded

You have a seen a heap of hardship over the last few years and it would be nice if you all were given a break.

We can be thankful for the levy banks and early warning systems + police and ses.

If only Clermont had those luxuries last century when so many drowned.

May your God be with you,
RA.

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Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 20:51

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 20:51

RA,

The temp levy banks in St George seem to have worked well. Will be interesting to see exactly where they put them.

Cheers Kev

Russell Coight:
He was presented with a difficult decision: push on into the stretching deserts, or return home to his wife.

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Reply By: Lifetime Member-Heather MG NSW - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 11:27

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 11:27

Thanks Kev,

I have been thinking of you and your family and wondering whether you were ok.

Interesting to see your photos and hear your descriptions of water levels. We have stayed in the area a few times, the last time we enjoyed a few days on the river at the Caravan park out of town.
Also had a drive to the dam and saw it when the water levels were nowhere near as high.

Take care,

regards

Heather

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Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 14:27

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 14:27

Heather,

If it was Kupunda Fishing Park, I will see if I can find an aerial photo of it under water :)

Cheers Kev

Russell Coight:
He was presented with a difficult decision: push on into the stretching deserts, or return home to his wife.

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Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 18:51

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 18:51

Heather,

Kupunda Fishing Park is under water in the centre of this pic. I think it is the property to the right of the race track in the photo.

For those who came to St George for the 2009 gathering, the homestead at the top is where we turned right down a track to the river to look at the old Steam engine on the river bank.

Image Could Not Be Found

Cheers Kev

Russell Coight:
He was presented with a difficult decision: push on into the stretching deserts, or return home to his wife.

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Follow Up By: Lifetime Member-Heather MG NSW - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 19:35

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 19:35

Thanks Kev...Very interesting to see it like this. When we were there we wandered along the river and tried to imagine what it would look like in flood.
I think there had been two in the previous 12 months.

looks like the sites on the river might be IN the river!

Regards,
Heather

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Reply By: Isuzumu - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 12:29

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 12:29

Might have to spend Easter out there and help out their economy Kev.

Cheers Bruce
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Follow Up By: Isuzumu - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 12:36

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 12:36

Hail stormAnd this is not going to help either

Cheers Bruce
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Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 14:29

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 14:29

I will be there for the 1st week of School Holidays and the easter Long weekend I reckon :)

I'll book a camp spot for you and Annie as well hey :)

Peta wants to go camping ASAP LOL

Cheers Kev

Russell Coight:
He was presented with a difficult decision: push on into the stretching deserts, or return home to his wife.

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Follow Up By: Isuzumu - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 16:31

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 16:31

Cool

Cheers Bruce
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Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 18:09

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 18:09

I'll do a Gthering thing up soon :)

Russell Coight:
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Reply By: Moto - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 12:45

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 12:45

I wonder how the Pelican Rest Tourist Park in St George is handling the wet.?

It's a great place to stay, one of the nicest parks in the area.

Bruce

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Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 14:16

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 14:16

The Pelican rest is Dry :)

I think there is an EO member either owning or Managing the Park as well ;)

Cheers Kev

Russell Coight:
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Reply By: Moto - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 15:05

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 15:05

Kev

Thanks for that information.

Bruce

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Reply By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 20:12

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 20:12

As at 6pm River at 13.91m

Image Could Not Be Found

Image Could Not Be Found

Image Could Not Be Found

Will post more info when I can :)

Cheers Kev

Russell Coight:
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Follow Up By: Member - Vince B (NSW) - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 22:01

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012 at 22:01

Hi Kev.
Was that you in charge of the flood boat at St. George today?
Channel 7 Brissy had a follow up story tonight.

Cheers.
Vince

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Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Wednesday, Feb 08, 2012 at 21:22

Wednesday, Feb 08, 2012 at 21:22

Vince,

Not me, I am back in Chinchilla working LOL

Might go back down on the weekend to help clean up if they open the highway again :)

River peaked at 13.95m

Cheers Kev

Russell Coight:
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Follow Up By: Isuzumu - Wednesday, Feb 08, 2012 at 21:45

Wednesday, Feb 08, 2012 at 21:45

Hi Kev saw your Dad on tele last night, which them all the best from us mate.

Cheers Bruce
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Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Thursday, Feb 09, 2012 at 13:47

Thursday, Feb 09, 2012 at 13:47

Bruce,

Hopefully I'll see him on Saturday in the flesh LOL

How does the 1st week of School holidays sound for a Gathering in St George??

Sam has to work but I am taking the kids to St George any way :)

Cheers Kev

Russell Coight:
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