Clean-Up Begins in South-East Queensland as Floodwaters Recede

Floodwaters are beginning to recede in south-east Queensland as residents prepare to clean up after yet another devastating weather event. Gympie faced rising floodwaters overnight, with the Mary River peaking at just over 16 metres.

The peak was much lower in comparison to the last flooding event where water reached into the heart of the town when the Mary River peaked at 23 metres.

The town is no longer cut off by floodwaters with main roads and bridges reopening yesterday morning.

One business owner told 9News they “dodged a bullet” during this flooding event.

Gympie Mayor Glen Hartwig said it’s a relief this flooding event didn’t reach the levels of destruction in February. “Some businesses didn’t fare as well as others but we’re so grateful the water only went to over 16 metres,” he said.

“February was epic compared to this it’s not even on the same planet.

“I feel for the business owners and residents who are inconvenienced, we’re all tired.”

Residents in flood-affected towns such as Gympie, Laidley in the Lockyer Valley, and Warwick are now facing a huge clean-up, the second in just four months.

9News reporter Shannon Marshall-McCormack said some business owners arrived at their stores at 4am yesterday to start cleaning up.