Queensland faces a dual crisis as major flooding devastates two regions and authorities search for two missing backpackers in the flooded landscape. A 26-year-old man and 23-year-old woman from overseas were travelling in a silver Subaru Forrester from Brisbane to the North Burnett region when they failed to reach their destination.
Police commenced a search involving ground crews, the State Emergency Service, and helicopters across the Kilkivan to Mundubbera area, north-west of the Sunshine Coast. A silver vehicle was located on Kilkivan Tansey Road near McArthur Road, and police remain at the scene as the search continues.
In Bundaberg, major flooding has inundated the city with the Burnett River peaking at 7.4 metres. More than 200 homes and businesses were affected as floodwaters swallowed streets, homes, retail stores, and a pub. The river level fell to 6.9 metres as conditions eased, but the damage was already substantial.
Bundaberg Mayor Helen Blackburn said the community would not know the full extent of damage for about a week. Residents in Bundaberg North were forced to move valuables to roofs and spend nights on upper floors. Robert Hughes, who had nearly finished renovating his home, described the devastation: "Brand new spa floating." New appliances, lawnmower catchers, and household goods were visible floating through neighbourhoods.
Thousands of residents in Bundaberg North remain cut off, with Tallon and Burnett River Bridges closed. Access to supplies and emergency services has become severely restricted. Bundaberg Police chief inspector Grant Marcus warned that safety checks are underway. "We need to make sure there are no issues around people being electrocuted, we need to make sure that the roads are safe," he said.
Chinchilla, about 250 kilometres west of the Sunshine Coast, faces its own emergency. Police declared a state of emergency at approximately 5.05pm as Charleys Creek rose rapidly. Dozens of businesses and homes have already been inundated, with the creek expected to peak at 6.8 metres on 12 March. Clare Wassell, who opened Flourish Hair salon just three months ago, told media: "I only shifted into my new salon three months ago. It's just, yeah, been all ruined overnight."
The Warrego Highway has been swamped in both directions at Chinchilla. Authorities have established an evacuation centre at Chinchilla Showgrounds and are door-knocking residents in affected areas. Police have urged residents to follow evacuation advice and avoid driving through flooded roads. The exclusion zone encompasses multiple street blocks from Braithwaite Street through to Rider Street along the creek line.
Bundaberg's current flood levels draw comparisons to December 2010, when the city experienced major inundation. Historical records show major floods at Bundaberg in 1890, 1942, 1954, 2010 and 2013, with the 2013 event representing the region's worst recorded flood when tropical cyclone Oswald caused the Burnett River to reach 9.53 metres. The current event, while severe, appears likely to fall short of that catastrophic level.
For residents managing the immediate aftermath, the challenges are practical and pressing. Some residents maintained their resilience with dark humour. "Hoping for a barramundi or two out here, maybe a barra-Wednesday," said resident Noel Lynham, adding that the flooding occurred on his birthday. Brad McKeen echoed a similar sentiment: "We might not have power but we've got smiles on our dials."
The State Emergency Service can be contacted on 132,500 for non-life-threatening flood assistance. For life-threatening emergencies, residents are instructed to call 000 immediately.