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If you had outdoor plans for this weekend, be prepared for them to be postponed in lieu of an indoor movie/board game type of weekend!

The forecast from the Bureau of Meteorology is looking rather bleak with showers and a possible thunderstorm forecast for the rest of the day, with falls from 40mm-90mm predicted. The forecast for Saturday and Sunday is similar, with falls between 15mm-50mm forecast for Saturday.

An incredibly moist air mass will combine with a coastal trough to produce areas of heavy rain across Southeast Queensland today and into Saturday morning, which we are currently experiencing.

All river and creek heights in the Moreton Bay region are below minor, at the time of writing.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued an initial flood watch, which provides early advice of possible flooding within the specified catchments:

Initial Flood Watch for coastal catchments from Maryborough to Caboolture

Flood Watch Number: 1

River level rises above the minor flood level are possible from Friday.

Moderate to heavy falls are possible across the Flood Watch area from Thursday evening and will continue during Friday and into Saturday.

Rainfall totals of 40-140 mm have been recorded in the Mary River catchment and Sunshine Coast rivers and creeks in the 24 hours to 9:00 am Thursday.

Further widespread rainfall totals of 50-100 mm are expected during Friday and into Saturday, with isolated totals of up to 150 mm possible.

River levels rises above the minor flood level are possible in the Flood Watch area from Friday.

Catchments likely to be affected include:

See www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings to view the current flood warnings for Queensland.

For more information on the Flood Watch Service: http://www.bom.gov.au/water/floods/floodWarningServices.shtml

Flood Safety Advice:

This Flood Watch means that people living or working along rivers and creeks should monitor the latest weather forecasts and warnings.

Remember: If it’s flooded, forget it.

For flood emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.

For life threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

Current emergency information is available at www.qld.gov.au/alerts.

This advice is also available by dialling 1300 659 219 at a low call cost of 27.5 cents, more from mobile, public and satellite phones.

Warning, rainfall and river information are available at www.bom.gov.au/qld/flood/

The Queensland Police Service has also issued a timely warning:

With heavy rain falling across large parts of the state today, police are urging motorists to drive to conditions and heed the message: if it’s flooded, forget it.

A number of drivers were rescued after proceeding through flooded roads in the Wide Bay area yesterday.

As the rain moves further south, police are warning drivers particularly around the Sunshine Coast, Caboolture and Brisbane areas to slow down, turn their headlights on and increase their stopping distance.

Under severe storms or heavy rain bands, flash flooding can occur very quickly and without any notice – even on roads that you usually travel on without any issues.

Flash flooding can cause significant structural damage to roads, so even if you think it looks safe, you can never be sure exactly what is underneath the water.

No matter what car you drive, no matter what bike you ride, no matter what shoes you wear – if it’s flooded, forget it.

Seqwater have advised that low flow releases from Somerset Dam are planned in the next 48 hours. Wivenhoe lake level rise will be less than 0.5 metres over the 48 hour period. Somerset Dam is currently operating on a temporary full capacity of 80% due to the  Somerset Dam Improvement Program which began in January 2016. Somerset is currently 77.3% full, while Wivenhoe is only 68.2% full.

It might be worthwhile heading to Chipmunks Playland and Cafe with the kids, for a well deserved coffee while they expend all of the masses of energy they have!

At any one time, there may be over six hundred special dogs and puppies being trained to be a Guide Dog in communities throughout the nation.

To help identify these special dogs, Guide Dogs Australia, along with their partner ADVANCE has unveiled a fresh new look for their iconic Guide Dog coats to make the dogs-in-training more easily recognisable to the public.

The new coats feature a reflective bright orange colour for visibility and are made of a highly breathable material to keep the dogs cool – and looking cool – when they are working. What’s more important though, is what they represent.

When you see a Guide Dog wearing one of the new coats out in the community, it means they are on an important journey and working towards fulfilling the life-changing role of being someone’s guiding eyes.

They’re asking everyone in the community to look out for the dogs wearing the new bright orange coats and give them space when working, so they can learn their important new job!

Whether a Guide Dog is walking, sitting or sleeping in its coat or harness, it should not be patted, fed or distracted. These coats also show that the dog is legally allowed to go anywhere their trainer or handler can, to assist with their training.

You can do your bit by making sure Guide Dog handlers and their dogs feel welcome, and that your pet dog is on a leash and under control whenever you see a Guide Dog in a harness or in one of the new bright orange training coats.

“I thank everyone in the community in advance for helping our incredible Guide Dogs on their journey and for your ongoing generous support as we continue to change lives.” Michael Kightley, CEO of Guide Dogs Queensland said.

You can help Guide Dogs Queensland provide freedom, independence and mobility by showing your support.
Head to www.guidedogsqld.com.au to find out more.

Here is the video from their fur-shion show, just because they’re so darn cute!

Pine Rivers is home to many wonderful community based not-for-profit agencies,
all with the same goal: helping those in need.

Moreton Bay Commmunity Matters, a charitable organisation based in Kallangur, has been providing support to the Pine Rivers Community since April 2015. It is run purely by volunteers and donations by wonderful people and companies that all lend a hand to help make the community a better place for everyone. The organisation hopes to help all walks of life through different activities and support networks where everyone’s welcome!

On a weekly basis, they prepare up to one hundred and thirty food baskets for those in need, as well as providing other valuable services including running a Cafe with free tea, coffee, sandwiches and treats, which serves as a community centre connection. They operate a community garden, as well as hosting a yearly Christmas party for local families to have the opportunity to mingle and have Christmas photos with Santa, that they might not otherwise be able to afford. They run a secondhand store that gifts locals in need of clothing, free of charge.

Also, a movie night is hosted bi-monthly on the church grounds, inclusive of icecream and popcorn! Head to their Facebook page to be in the know with the details and keep an eye out for their Trivia Nights there as well. You can say g’day to the volunteers or even lend a hand at Bunnings North Lakes every second Thursday. Grab a snag and a drink to support their work.

Moreton Bay Community Matters (MBCM) is run out of the hall at the Rivers Church of Christ. Although the Organisation has connections with the church, there is no pressure to attend church services and they welcome all comers.

Last year, the Organisation was nominated for a Community Achievement Award which was a big morale boost for the team of approximately thirty volunteers.

The team are always in need of volunteers and donations. If you can help, contact them via their Facebook page.