Ipswich region flood toll mounts
THE Ipswich flood crisis is expected to go beyond 1974 levels and residents are urged to plan evacuations.
Residents in low-lying regions at Forest Hill, Toogoolawah and Esk are being evacuated as the search for scores of flood victims west of Ipswich started this morning. They are advised to go to higher ground as flood waters rise in the area.
Shops are being closed at Riverlink Shopping Centre.
Police are advising all members of the community who live or are currently near the Brisbane River at West End to move to higher ground.
The Brisbane River has risen and we are starting to see the water enter streets in the low lying areas of West End.
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said this morning that 72 people, including whole families, are missing. Eight people have been confirmed dead.
The Ipswich CBD went under in the 1974 floods. Fourteen people lost their lives in those floods.
The Ipswich Motorway is closed in both directions. The Blunder Rd and Boundary Rad intersection of the motorway at Oxley Creek and Boundary and Rudd St intersection at Oxley (near Golf Club) are also expected to be cut off due to flooding.
Posted on Tuesday, 11th January 2011