Since Friday, parts of northeast Queensland have received more than 1,000mm (39in) of rain, with “record rainfalls” expected to persist through Monday. Queensland State Premier David Crisafulli has stated that these could be the worst floods the region has seen in over six decades.
“This is unlike anything we’ve experienced in northern Queensland for a long time,” Crisafulli said, highlighting not just the intensity, but also the prolonged nature of the rainfall.
One of the most heartbreaking incidents occurred in the town of Ingham, where a State Emergency Service (SES) dinghy, which was rescuing people, capsized after hitting a tree. A woman, a member of the public being rescued, died in the accident. Five other people aboard the dinghy managed to reach safety. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
Elsewhere, three people were rescued from the roof of a house in Cardwell, located between Cairns and Townsville. Videos have emerged showing a man clinging to a pole in Ingham after his vehicle was swept away by floodwaters, with locals rescuing him in a boat.
In Townsville, authorities have warned that as river levels continue to rise, around 1,700 homes could be flooded, some up to the second floor. Thousands of residents across six suburbs were ordered to evacuate by midday Sunday, but about 10% of residents chose to remain in their homes.
Some areas in northern Queensland were also severely impacted by flooding in 2019, making this event all the more alarming. Premier Crisafulli urged residents to follow evacuation orders, emphasizing that material possessions can be replaced, but lives cannot.
Andrew Cox, who evacuated with his partner after receiving multiple warnings from police, shared his experience with the BBC. “Some neighbors said they had been through floods in 2019 and that it would be fine, but we didn’t want to take a chance, so we packed up,” Cox said.
As of Sunday night, local authorities opened a new evacuation center as others reached capacity. The flooding has cut off parts of the road between Townsville and Cairns, making it difficult for rescue teams to reach affected areas. Townsville airport has also been closed until Monday morning, while supermarkets have run out of fresh food, and power outages are affecting thousands of homes, including those in Ingham and Palm Island.
In addition to the floodwaters, there is a warning for residents to be aware of crocodiles that may be lurking in areas they don’t typically inhabit due to the rising waters.
While northern Queensland has long been prone to storms, cyclones, and flooding, climate scientists say that warmer ocean temperatures and the effects of climate change are contributing to more frequent and intense rainfall events.
As the situation continues to evolve, residents are urged to stay alert and follow official evacuation and safety guidelines.
