Catastrophic flooding, triggered by unprecedented rainfall, has continued to wreak havoc across North Queensland for a third day, leaving a trail of devastation and forcing thousands to evacuate, CNN reports.
The deluge, which saw some areas receive nearly a summer’s worth of rain in just days, has resulted in one confirmed death and widespread damage to homes, businesses, and the agricultural sector.
The impacted region stretches along a 456 mile swathe of coastline from Cairns to Mackay, with the cities of Townsville and Ingham, and the town of Cardwell, among the worst affected. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli described the destruction in Ingham as “very difficult to see” and noted that the community was experiencing a flood “the likes of which is only seen a handful of times.”
One Dead, Rescues Underway
The tragedy struck on Sunday when a rescue boat capsized after hitting a tree, claiming the life of a woman in her 60s in Ingham. While five others on board were rescued, the incident underscores the perilous conditions faced by both residents and first responders. State Disaster Coordinator Shane Chelepy confirmed there have been no further fatalities or reports of missing persons since Sunday. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his condolences on social media, stating the death was “heartbreaking” and pledged federal resources to aid in the recovery efforts.
Extreme Rainfall Triggers Flood Emergency
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology has extended a severe weather warning for the coast, predicting the possibility of further “severe thunderstorms with heavy to intense rainfall.” Some areas have already recorded up to a meter of rainfall over the past week. Six rivers are experiencing major flood warnings, with water levels exceeding their maximum capacity.
Emergency crews have responded to 480 calls for assistance in a single night, the highest number reported in recent days. They have also conducted 11 swift water rescues, extracting people stranded in homes and vehicles. The situation is exacerbated by the collapse of a bridge along the Bruce Highway, a major artery connecting the north and south of the state, hampering rescue efforts and hindering relief supplies.
Townsville Residents Evacuate, “Black Zone” Declared
In the city of Townsville, six low-lying suburbs have been designated as a “black zone” requiring immediate evacuation. More than 400 people have sought refuge in six evacuation centers. This latest crisis comes just four years after the devastating 2019 floods which were then described as a “one-in-100-year event”, causing the Premier to warn that the current conditions could be just as serious, urging residents to “take precautions, prepare for the worst, listen to the advice.”
Crocodiles Pose Added Threat
Amid the crisis, Queensland’s Department of Environment, Science and Innovation has issued a warning about crocodiles in floodwaters. The department cautioned that crocodiles may be present in areas where they aren’t usually seen, as they seek refuge in calmer waters during flooding.
Record Rainfall Figures, Climate Change Link
The deluge is the result of torrential rains and damaging winds associated with two low-pressure tropical systems. Meteorologists have called this a “significant and protracted weather event” with “record-breaking rainfall in many locations.” Rollingstone has recorded an astonishing 50.3 inches over the past week, while areas between Innisfail and Townsville have seen totals of 23 inches. Ingham Airp ort recorded more than 32 inches of rain since Friday, and Cardwell received 19.3 inches in the past 24 hours alone, more than its entire average for the month of February. Paluma Dam has seen over a meter of rainfall since Friday.
