ABOUT DAM TIME AS R AIN ROLLS IN
RAIN RAIN EASING IT won’t be enough to fill the dam, but a forecast rain event has placed Townsville on flood watch.
Widespread rainfall of between 100mm and 200m has been forecast for Queensland coastal catchments from Cairns to Gladstone, including Townsville.
Mayor Jenny Hill said if Townsville received the full 200mm in the catchment area, it could raise Ross SHOWER OR TWO River Dam levels t to more th than 20 per cent.
“While the bigger falls are expected further south, the latest forecasts are indicating between 100mm and 200mm for the Townsville area,” Cr Hill said.
“The impact on our dam level will very much depend on how much rain falls directly over the catchment, but every bit above 15 per cent at the moment puts off the cost of pumping from the Burdekin.
“I’m sure that everyone is hoping that whatever rain we get hits the target.
“Council completed inspections of stormwater drains and has machinery and crews ready to respond to any localised flooding issues just in case we receive more intense rain.”
Meteorologist Doug Fraser expected a 48- hour rainfall event until Friday.
“We’re very likely to see a good 50mm in most places,” he said.
“It won’t be continuous rain, it’ll be periods of rainfall.”