Deadly Floodwaters Rise for Third Day in Australia’s Northeast
Floodwaters caused by record rainfall in Australia’s northeast continued to rise for a third consecutive day, with authorities warning communities to prepare for further destruction. One person was killed in the flooding on Sunday, and thousands of residents in low-lying coastal suburbs and towns were under immediate evacuation orders after nearly a summer’s worth of rain fell on parts of North Queensland in just a few days.
The affected areas stretch for 735 kilometers (456 miles) along the Queensland coast, from Cairns to Mackay, with the city of Townsville, Ingham, and Cardwell being among the worst hit. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli described the devastation as “very difficult to see” and said homes, businesses, and the agricultural sector have been badly damaged.
A severe weather warning has been extended for large parts of the coast, with severe thunderstorms and heavy to intense rainfall possible. Some areas have seen up to a meter of rainfall in the past week, and major flood warnings have been issued for areas along six rivers that are running well above flood levels.
A woman in her 60s died in Ingham after a rescue boat she was on capsized when it hit a tree. The five others on board were rescued. Since Sunday, there have been no further fatalities or reports of people missing.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the death “heartbreaking news” and said the federal government will supply whatever resources are needed to deal with the event. Queensland’s Department of Environment, Science, and Innovation warned residents to be wary of crocodiles that may be lurking in the floodwaters, as they can turn up in new places in search of calmer waters.
State Disaster Coordinator Shane Chelepy said 480 calls for assistance have been received overnight, with multiple emergency alerts and reports of flash flooding. Response teams made 11 swift water rescues of people stranded in their homes or trapped in vehicles.
The city of Townsville has been designated a “black zone” due to the severe flooding, with nearly 400 people taking refuge in emergency centers. Crisafulli said the flooding is as severe as an event that occurred in 2019 and warned residents to “prepare for the worst” and listen to advice from authorities.
Relief and rescue efforts have been hampered by a bridge collapse on the Bruce Highway, a major road that runs from the south to the far north of the state. The flooding is expected to continue, with relief in sight as the rainfall is expected to ease in the coming days, but residents in several areas have been warned to expect more life-threatening rain and major floods.