AUTHORITIES believe stock losses will be heavy from floods plaguing South West Queensland and Central North West NSW but acknowledge protecting human life is the first priority as dangerous waters continue to rise.
AgForce president Brent Finlay has described current conditions around the western centre of Mitchell as "very grim" and predicted the situation could deteriorate as floodwaters moved south towards St George over the weekend.
"It's flooding in areas around Mitchell where they've never seen flooding before," he said.
"Very soon we're going to see the water spread out as it moves onto that flatter country further south. Then we'll see more damage over a much wider area, threatening stock and damaging infrastructure."
Mr Finlay said for many districts the flooding was worse than last year's January disaster. He urged landholders to consider their personal safety first before considering their livestock.
"The situation is very dangerous," he said. "I know there are landholders worried about their livestock and they want them to move them to higher ground, but they need to take precautions and think about their own safety first," he said.
Mitchell beef producer and AgForce Cattle president Grant Maudsley said his own property was a long way from harm, but he remained concerned for neighbours and people in the town.
Mr Maudsley said his property west of Mitchell had received 75mm overnight, but other areas had been inundated with more than 150mm. The rain had eased today, he said, but was concerned by forecasts of more rain to come in the next two days.
He said fears were high that stock losses would be significant.
The Maranoa River at Mitchell is currently sitting at 9.35m and estimated to peak at 10m late this afternoon.
Maranoa Mayor Robert Loughnan said that the 160 evacuees at the Mitchell State School are currently being air lifted to the Council's Mitchell Depot evacuation centre.
"A power outage at the Mitchell State School evacuation centre has made the transfer of evacuees essential. The total number of evacuees in Mitchell is currently 266," Cr Loughnan said.
Cr Loughnan said the water level rise overnight had affected homes in Mitchell.
"Council and emergency services staff are currently investigating the damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure in Mitchell," Cr Loughnan said.
"Unless it is absolutely necessary, please try and keep off the roads with heavy rain of up to 50mm predicted to continue falling throughout the day. If driving through flood water, please take care and ensure your speed is kept to a minimum to avoid damaging bow waves as these greatly affect those who have flooding in their homes or on their property."
As at 11.30am today, power had been disconnected to 266 customers in Mitchell and 355 customers in Roma.
Residents in Roma remain on high alert as the situation there rapidly escalates.
Roma residents who flooded in the flood event of March 2010 are in immediate threat and are to evacuate immediately to higher ground.
The evacuation centres in Roma are the RSL on 21 Quintin Street and the Roma Recreational Centre on the corner of George and Quintin Streets. If possible, residents are advised to bring bedding and any required medication.
The Bungil Creek in Roma is currently 8m and rising quickly at an unprecedented speed. Water levels are predicted to exceed the March 2010 flood event peak of 8.1m generated by rainfall of 60mm in the last 24 hours in Roma and up to 150mm in the catchment.
Residents in Amby at risk of flooding are being transferred by air as necessary.
The Balonne River at Surat is sitting at 10m and falling slowly. Council and emergency services will continue to monitor water levels with further showers to fall over the next 24 hours.
A spokesman for Roma Saleyards said a decision on proceeding with next week's store and prime sales would be taken next Monday, based on estimates that yardings will be well down, especially cattle normally drawn from western districts.
Australian Lot Feeders Association chief executive Dougal Gordon said no feedlots were under threat.
All schools in both Mitchell and Roma are closed today.
Council and emergency services staff are actively coordinating necessary emergency arrangements for flood impacted locations across the region.
Residents requiring flood-related emergency assistance should contact the SES hotline on 132 500.
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