Fitzroy River Peak Lowered for Rockhampton: Flood Impact Reduced

The impacts of ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji will be less severe than originally forecasted in Rockhampton, with revised predictions lowering the flood height for the central Queensland city. Authorities now expect about 280 properties will be impacted in some way by the moderate flood; last week they had warned that figure could be as high as 480. Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Felim Hanniffy said the Fitzroy River was now expected to peak on Wednesday morning at 7.5 metres high, down from an earlier forecast of 7.8 metres. "With those peaks being revised lower, [that'll] probably be a reprieve for some people in the area," he said. Mr Hanniffy said that while some shower or storm activity was possible across the interior of central Queensland in the next few days, it was not expected to worsen flooding. As of Tuesday morning, the Fitzroy River at the flood gauge marker in the Rocky's CBD was at 6.5 metres, expected to reach 7 metres during the day, entering minor flood level. The swollen Fitzroy has already led to the closure of riverside facilities, sporting grounds, car parks and walkways, along with some local roads, including Lakes Creek Road. A river city on alert Rockhampton resident Glenda Dwyer has spent the past week preparing for potential floods by moving her belongings stored in her shed and underneath her house to higher ground. Ms Dwyer anticipated floodwaters would reach hip height in her backyard. "There was a lot of stuff accumulated over the years under the house, just got it all out, stopped at two o'clock this morning [Monday] actually," she said. "Now we're just waiting. The Rockhampton Regional Council expects 280 properties will be impacted in some capacity, including a few that may be inundated with water above floorboards. According to Bureau graphs of previous floods, the 7.5 river level means the suburbs of Depot Hill, which borders the river in the city, will be almost isolated, with some low-lying parts of other suburbs, Port Curtis, Fairybower and Gracemere, inundated. "We want people to remain vigilant … we don't relax for one moment," Deputy Mayor Drew Wickerson said. "[But] it's nothing like the major floods we've had in the past." Local SES controller Jasper Humphries said door-knocking was underway in low-lying areas. Additional swift water rescue boats have also been deployed as a precaution. "Rockhampton's a really resilient community, every house we visit or every second house they know what to expect and they're really prepared," Mr Humphries said. 'Ready for it' Bill Dargel owns a plant nursery on the banks of the river at Pink Lily, north-west of the city. He said major floods in 1991 and 2011 — which reached more than 9 metres — stopped the business from trading for two weeks, but he was not anticipating significant impacts to his operation this time. "We're all ready for it … it'll be a minor event from what we can see," Mr Dargel said. Similarly, grazier Ann Kirk said she felt well-prepared. Ms Kirk has a cattle property on the Fitzroy River at Gogango, near Rockhampton. "We moved all our cattle off the lower country and moved them up around the house," she said. "Then on Wednesday we got a chopper in to pick up any stragglers." Ms Kirk said there had been no stock losses or property damage so far. "It's a big relief … we've had plenty of floods before and you just can't afford to underestimate them."