Chaos on the Gold Coast: Looting amid catastrophic floods, thousands left powerless for days
The Gold Coast, known for its beautiful beaches and lively nightlife, is currently facing a different reality. Torrential rains have battered the region, leading to widespread flooding and power outages.
The situation has become so dire that the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is on standby to provide assistance if needed. But amidst the chaos and devastation, a new threat has emerged: looting.
In the past 24 hours, dozens of people have been rescued, and it's feared that thousands could be without power for up to ten days.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued severe weather warnings for Burnett, Wide Bay, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast hinterland. Springbrook was hit with rainfall as high as 500 millimetres in the 24 hours to 9 p.m. last January 1, and the weather is expected to persist.
Several regions brace for an intense downpour, with predictions of 100 to 200 millimetres in just three hours and daily accumulations potentially exceeding 350 millimetres, accompanied by localised, severe rainfall.
As the region grapples with the aftermath of the deluge, reports of looting around Mount Tamborine have surfaced, increasing police presence in some communities.
Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Chelepy has condemned the act, stating, 'I think it's a despicable act. The police will take a very hard line, and we won't take a backward step on that sort of behaviour.'
Two reports of looting at Mount Tamborine have been reported, but no arrests have been made yet, according to Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll.
The Gold Coast and Scenic Rim have experienced 'intense rainfall, with up to 500 millimetres in some locations over the last 24 hours,' according to Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) Deputy Commissioner Kevin Walsh.
‘So the ground is absolutely saturated. And what we're seeing is with quick spurts of intense rainfall, the river systems, creeks and roadways, the flooding is rising very quickly, and catching people unaware,’ he stated.
The Bureau of Meteorology has warned that the storms are 'hit-and-miss,' making them harder to predict. A severe weather warning remains in place for the southeast coast, along with flood watches for most of the region's major rivers.
Residents in Lismore, Tweed Heads, Murwillumbah, Byron Bay, Casino, and Kyogle are advised to stay informed about developing conditions as flash floods may also affect northern New South Wales.
In such a scenario, knowing how to protect your home from potential looters is crucial. Here are some tips:
As the region braces for more rainfall, residents are urged to stay safe and look out for each other.
You can watch 9 News Gold Coast’s report on the situation here:
For the latest updates and warnings about the floods, please check out the Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland’s social media page here, and the Queensland Fire & Emergency page here.
If you are affected by floods in Gold Coast and need assistance, call 132 500 for non-life-threatening emergency situations.
Have you experienced a similar situation in your area, members? Share your experiences and tips for extreme weather events in the comments below.
The situation has become so dire that the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is on standby to provide assistance if needed. But amidst the chaos and devastation, a new threat has emerged: looting.
In the past 24 hours, dozens of people have been rescued, and it's feared that thousands could be without power for up to ten days.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued severe weather warnings for Burnett, Wide Bay, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast hinterland. Springbrook was hit with rainfall as high as 500 millimetres in the 24 hours to 9 p.m. last January 1, and the weather is expected to persist.
Several regions brace for an intense downpour, with predictions of 100 to 200 millimetres in just three hours and daily accumulations potentially exceeding 350 millimetres, accompanied by localised, severe rainfall.
As the region grapples with the aftermath of the deluge, reports of looting around Mount Tamborine have surfaced, increasing police presence in some communities.
Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Chelepy has condemned the act, stating, 'I think it's a despicable act. The police will take a very hard line, and we won't take a backward step on that sort of behaviour.'
Two reports of looting at Mount Tamborine have been reported, but no arrests have been made yet, according to Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll.
The Gold Coast and Scenic Rim have experienced 'intense rainfall, with up to 500 millimetres in some locations over the last 24 hours,' according to Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) Deputy Commissioner Kevin Walsh.
‘So the ground is absolutely saturated. And what we're seeing is with quick spurts of intense rainfall, the river systems, creeks and roadways, the flooding is rising very quickly, and catching people unaware,’ he stated.
The Bureau of Meteorology has warned that the storms are 'hit-and-miss,' making them harder to predict. A severe weather warning remains in place for the southeast coast, along with flood watches for most of the region's major rivers.
Residents in Lismore, Tweed Heads, Murwillumbah, Byron Bay, Casino, and Kyogle are advised to stay informed about developing conditions as flash floods may also affect northern New South Wales.
In such a scenario, knowing how to protect your home from potential looters is crucial. Here are some tips:
As the region braces for more rainfall, residents are urged to stay safe and look out for each other.
You can watch 9 News Gold Coast’s report on the situation here:
Key Takeaways
- Dozens of people have been rescued amid severe weather conditions, with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) on standby to assist where necessary.
- There are reports of looting in flood-hit Gold Coast regions, leading to additional police being deployed in areas such as Mount Tamborine to maintain security.
- Several regions, including the Gold Coast hinterland, have received severe weather warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology, with substantial rainfall causing fears of life-threatening flash flooding.
- The Queensland Police and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) are closely monitoring and responding to the rapidly rising floodwaters exacerbated by the saturated ground from previous downpours.
For the latest updates and warnings about the floods, please check out the Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland’s social media page here, and the Queensland Fire & Emergency page here.
If you are affected by floods in Gold Coast and need assistance, call 132 500 for non-life-threatening emergency situations.
Have you experienced a similar situation in your area, members? Share your experiences and tips for extreme weather events in the comments below.
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