Floods bring out Theodore's spirit

Locals cool off on the Theodore School oval.

Paul Fowkes

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Queensland rain and floods

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WHILE nearby cotton farmers are counting the cost of flooding near Theodore, for most of the town’s residents the rising water level hasn’t dampened spirits.

In fact, Paul Fowkes, who runs Theodore News and Central Queensland Scopes, said the situation was the focus of a “few flood parties” on Saturday night.

The Dawson River was yesterday morning at 13.25m, it’s highest level in 27 years and expected to peak at 13.5m overnight or early this morning.

With authorities keeping a close watch on the situation and 20 properties at threat of inundation, Paul said most people were respectful of the flood but it hadn’t stopped them getting on with their lives.

The floodwaters are expected to stay until at least until late in the week.

The town is effectively isolated at the moment with a number of road closures.

Paul attended a flood party on Saturday night.

“We sat there for about four hours and watched the water level rise while we had a few drinks,” Paul said.

“It would have gone up about three to four inches (about 10cm) during that time.

“We had a stick in the water to measure it.

“I heard there were a few flood parties about.”

Having activated its Local Disaster Management Plan, the Banana Shire Council remains ready for whatever might happen.

Yesterday, mayor John Hooper said council was talking regularly with the people it needed too, including the weather bureau, emergency services and local businesses so it could be as best prepared as possible.

“Police and the SES are doorknocking people who could have their homes or yards inundated, but there’s been very little of that at this stage,” Cr Hooper said.

“We have been talking to grocery stores and places like that and they tell us they have plenty of food.”

He said some cotton farmers around the district had reported big crop damage, which meant “extremely” costly losses.

Meanwhile, the focus is also spreading to Moura where the river is expected to rise to 12.3m tomorrow and remain above major flood level for most of this week.