Outback Queensland town of Longreach braces for 6.7-metre flood peak as rising waters trigger warnings and sandbagging efforts

Residents of Longreach are on alert as major flooding moving west across Queensland is expected to push the town’s river levels to a 6.7-metre peak, with rising waters already seeping into streets and forcing emergency crews and locals to intensify sandbagging efforts.

According to ABC Net News website, A Flood Watch and Act warning was issued by the Longreach Regional Council as Longreach prepares for river levels forecast to peak comparable to the 2000 flood.

Authorities warned some estates outside Longreach could be cut off for more than seven days as traffic built along the Landsborough Highway toward Winton ahead of likely road closures.


The flooding submerged low-lying areas, severed road access, and drove wildlife into the encroaching waters as the deluge spread across the region.

According to the 9News website, sandbagging efforts continued, with crews from the State Emergency Service preparing nearly 2,000 sandbags to reinforce homes and protect properties from the advancing floodwaters.

SES Longreach controller Diesel Stenholm said,” We've been busy sandbagging doors, front and back doors on most homes, and we'll continue to do that whilst we have the opportunity, but the water is definitely here now, and it's rising."

According to the 9News website, reinforcements from across the state have joined local crews, with six volunteers from Longreach supported by eight others, as residents in the nearby community of Cramsie spend days preparing for rising floodwaters.