nicolelee - you may be jumping to conclusions. I checked the current weather, forecast and recent rain for Mackay at http://www.weatherzone.com.au/region.jsp?list=ds<=wzdist&lc=q06&of=of_b&ot=ot_a&subset=a&ug=1&dt=02%2F02%2F2011
It appears the heavy rain is north of MCC mines and forecast to track inland to the west.
Maybe some Hotcopper folks in the area have first hand info ...