MORE rain might be on the way, but high river levels resulting from last week’s deluge seem to have subsided in Logan.
The reprieve of any major flood risk was issued last Thursday, despite warnings by the Queensland government of flash flooding in parts of the state last week due to major rainfall.
Water restrictions are also looking less likely with more rainfall expected over Christmas as the La Nina weather system establishes itself.
The rainfall has nudged the state’s water grid into healthier territory, up to around 60%.
This marks roughly a 4% increase on previous levels from late November, which were edging closer to a 50% mark that would have triggered restrictions.
A total of 82mm of rain was recorded across Logan in the first five days of December.
That is not enough to concern the SES, like it did in late March when consecutive days of heavy rainfall (up around 100mm) put the city on flood watch.
The recent wet weather has, however, been the perfect opportunity for the city’s newest SES crews to test their skills after becoming fully fledged members in September.
Logan’s SES Controller Jim Ferguson said they have climbed their first rooves to make repairs.
While some flood prone river crossings across parts of Greenbank and Chambers Flat were cut off during the week, there is not an elevated flood risk in the short term for the Logan region, Mr Ferguson said.
“The Logan River might have minor flooding, but it’s not going to be anything like what it was in March,” he said.
“There’s a couple of residents who have been isolated at Chambers Flat, which is standard.
“They know that’s coming and are aware of it.”
The Logan and Albert River system peaked below minor flood levels across much of the catchment area on Friday last week, except for several low-lying areas.
The Schmidt’s Creek crossing was the worst affected with the water more than 2m above the road.
Weatherwatch meteorologist David Sercombe said it is too early to forecast what will happen over Christmas, but all indicators are pointing to wet conditions.
“The patterns from November have been wetter, and that lines up well with the La Nina climate setup that we have developed in the last four to six weeks, and it’s forecast to continue into the new year,” he said.
Sensible water use is still a must for residents of Logan, who are each using 154 litres per day.
Bad habits could just as easily throw dam levels into precarious territory and water bills into excess.
If water restrictions kick in, residents will be expected to cap their individual use to 140 litres.
It will also trigger a water-use schedule for odd and even numbered properties.
The state’s peak water body SEQ points out the state could save three million litres a day if each person reduced their use by three litres.
