What to do if the roads to Agnes Water & 1770 are closed due to floods?

Here are some important links to the Bureau of Meteorology, flood ‘webcams’ and river levels.

Some of you may know or may have heard that Agnes Water & 1770 sometimes become their very own Island Paradise as the roads to Agnes Water & 1770 sometimes flood. This doesn’t last long, maybe 24-48h max and generally happens during our low season.

Flooded road from Miriam Vale to Agnes Water

There are 2 ways to get to Agnes Water/1770:

1. From Bundaberg
2. From Miriam Vale (the exit on the Bruce Highway).

Both these 2 ways in are prone to flooding and can be flooded at the same time, meaning that there is no way out unless you own a plane or a helicopter (do not fear, if there is a medical emergency they will send the helicopter to take you to a hospital).

What are the areas that are likely to flood

The area on the way to Bundaberg that floods is called the Essendean Bridge.

The area on the way to Miriam Vale that floods is called Alligator Flats.

How to check if more rain is coming

Locals have got the Bom Radar on speed dial. Check it here.

How to check if the roads to Agnes Water / 1770 are flooded

1. You may want to check the webcams for Essendean Bridge (way to Bundaberg) or Alligator Flats (to Miriam Vale). Whilst this is a nice visual, it doesn’t give you any info as to if the water is going up or down and when the road is likely to be open again
2. Therefore, it is best to check the water levels here: http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ60289.html. Look for the ‘stations’ called Alligator Flats (Miriam Vale) and Essendean Bridge (Bundaberg direction). Pay attention to the ‘tendency’ (rising, steady or failing) and the data under ‘crossing’. If there is any level above bridge (instead of below) the road will be closed. The road being closed means that is is most likely got barricades around it so you won’t be able to ‘try’ it if you have a big 4×4.

River heights around Agnes Water and 1770

How long till we can safely get out of here?

Whilst we’d love you to stay longer, we understand that you may just want to head home.

Here’s some local knowledge tidbits:

• The roads don’t flood from the rain directly but from the rivers rising. So if you don’t see any water on Seventeen Seventy on the BOM Radar above it doesn’t mean that the road will be open! Water could be flooding from other creeks from other catchments
• Apparently Alligator Flats floods one day prior to Essendean Bridge. So if Alligator Flats if flooded you pretty much have 24h to get out of here via Bundaberg or you’re stuck in.
• The tides also influence the water levels (not just the rain)
• If both crossings are flooded you can generally be here for 24-48h (if it stops raining in the catchment areas). If it keeps on raining it may be longer.
• How to find out? Call the local police on 4974 9708 or connect to the local Agnes Water Community Page on Facebook.

What to do when you’re stuck in Paradise?

You may be a bit wet and feel stranded but fear not, our community is right behind you to ensure you make wonderful memories while on the island 🙂

• There are plenty of accommodation options in Agnes Water & 1770. for different budgets!
• For our cafes and restaurants, head over here.

And see all our business listings below.