Police would like to remind members of the public to exercise extreme caution with strong winds, hazardous surfs and heavy rainfalls having been experienced or continuing across parts of Central and South East Queensland.
During and immediately after severe weather events traversing roadways, either in vehicles or on foot, can become extremely hazardous as water levels can rise and fall quickly.
The public are urged to travel with caution and drive to the prevailing weather and road conditions.
Members of the public are urged to avoid flooded roads, creeks and watercourses and motorists are also reminded that road closures and road conditions can change rapidly as creeks and water courses can rise and fall quickly.
Parents are also reminded to ensure their children are not playing in flood prone waterways, watercourses and drains as water levels can rise quickly.
Motorists are asked to carefully plan their trips, to regularly monitor the Traffic and Travel information site (details below) and allow additional travel time, incorporating travelling at lower speeds, delays and diversions.
Information regarding weather and road conditions can be located at the following sites
with police urging members of the public to regularly check these locations for updates and advice:
- Bureau of Meteorology website bom.gov.au for up to date weather information, including up-coming forecasts and warnings;
- The Traffic and Travel information line on 13 19 40 or http://www.131940.qld.gov.au
- RACQ road closure site on 1300 130 595 or http://www.racq.com.au/travel/maps_and_Directions/road_conditions
- Monitor local councils and local radio stations for local information and updates
- QPS facebook site at http://www.facebook.com/QueenslandPolice
Police are again warning motorists not to ignore road closure signs as they could be protecting travelers from washouts, craters and other hazards, and not to attempt to cross flooded roads, causeways or water courses.
Earlier this morning police from Woodford were called out in adverse weather conditions after reports that a vehicle had entered flood waters on Neurum Road at around 1.30am.
The vehicle, being driven by an 18-year-old man from North Lakes, was submerged in the flood waters.
The man, who managed to get himself to safety, was given a $159 traffic infringement notice for disobeying signage. The cost for the vehicle will be a lot more with the car remaining waterlogged and stranded in the flood waters.
The area of road was low lying and had water over the road for about two kilometres.
The man was, luckily, uninjured.
Anyone with information which could assist with this matter should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.
Crime Stoppers is a registered charity and community volunteer organisation working in partnership with the Queensland Police Service.
For all non-urgent police reporting or general police inquiries contact Policelink on 131 444 or Policelink.qld.gov.au 24hrs a day.