Qld: Two feared missing as dam bursts
23 Nov 2008 9:32 PM
Two people are feared missing after a dam burst in central Queensland.
Floodwaters are rushing downstream after a bladder of water holding 10-thousand megalitres ruptured at the Bedford Weir near Blackwater .. about 200 kilometres west of Rockhampton.
The water is expected to wash into the McKenzie River .. a tributary of theFitzroy River.
Queensland Police spokeswoman NICKI DEVEREAUX says a search is underway .. but the impact may not be as severe as earlier feared .. although more checks need to be carried out.
She says police hold concerns for the whereabouts of two people .. and police .. fire and rescue authority crews .. paramedics .. State Emergency Service volunteers .. and at least one local helicopter have gone to the scene.
Ms DEVEREAUX says more details will be known as rescue crews descend on thearea and residents check for friends and neighbours after the dam burst ..as the impact on the surrounding country and downstream of the dam is still unclear.
But she says it appears the volume of water may be less than first thought .. and that roads and road crossings may not be affected.
Earlier .. police had warned that a mass of water was travelling downstreamtowards the Fitzroy River Barrage near Rockhampton.
Central Highlands mayor .. PETER MAGUIRE had called the dam burst a disaster .. and police told people to stay away from the area until further notice.
