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The billion dollar big wet
January 22, 2008 06:20am

QUEENSLAND is facing a damage bill of hundreds of millions of dollars as flood waters surge through the state, cutting roads, swamping coal mines, destroying agricultural stock and forcing people from their homes.

Emerald, in central Queensland, was last night bracing for major flooding, with the rising Nogoa River forcing more than 1000 residents to evacuate their homes.

Premier Anna Bligh warned that the situation in Emerald – declared a disaster zone – and Charleville had become critical.

The state's booming mining industry expects tens of millions of dollars in coal production to be lost from the Bowen Basin. Already one company has stated it will not meet its export targets.

Some of Queensland's biggest coal mines – including those run by giants BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Xstrata – were last night expecting more flooding.

Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said damage to federal and state infrastructure would be at least $50 million.

The flooding has caused massive stock losses for some farmers, while irrigation infrastructure and crops have also been destroyed.

"We are getting reports of up to $500,000 worth of cattle being lost on individual properties," AgForce chief executive Brett De Hayr said.

"Some reports on irrigation properties are for $1.5 million to $2 million worth of infrastructure and crop losses.

"You would probably be looking at (state-wide losses) in excess of $1 billion in this sort of rainfall."

About 780 Emerald homes were expected have been evacuated by late yesterday even though rain has mostly cleared.

Ms Bligh said the disaster declaration was needed to enable authorities to use all measures to ensure residents' safety.

"It's only natural that the major focus has been on the major population centres affected, such as Emerald and Charleville, but we know now that there are many, many, many properties that have been isolated," Ms Bligh said.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has pledged all necessary assistance.