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North Queensland floods: hundreds evacuated, dozens rescued as 1.2m of rain dumped in some areas North Queensland floods: hundreds evacuated, dozens rescued as 1.2m of rain dumped in some areas
(32 minutes later)
BoM says weather system weakening, but flood waters continue to rise and Ingham is cut off after bridge at Ollera Creek collapsesBoM says weather system weakening, but flood waters continue to rise and Ingham is cut off after bridge at Ollera Creek collapses
Authorities say there is “more significant rain to come” in north Queensland, amid warnings to residents not to return to flooded homes.Authorities say there is “more significant rain to come” in north Queensland, amid warnings to residents not to return to flooded homes.
Dams and river catchments from Mackay to Cairns remain swollen from a week of heavy rain, which has dumped more than 1.2 metres on some locations.Dams and river catchments from Mackay to Cairns remain swollen from a week of heavy rain, which has dumped more than 1.2 metres on some locations.
More than 400 people – mostly in Townsville, Ingham and Cardwell – are in evacuation shelters after being advised to flee on Sunday.More than 400 people – mostly in Townsville, Ingham and Cardwell – are in evacuation shelters after being advised to flee on Sunday.
Entire towns have lost power and been isolated by flood waters. The Bruce Highway – the lone connection between central, north and far north Queensland – could be unpassable for a significant period after a bridge was washed away at Ollera Creek, between Townsville and Ingham.Entire towns have lost power and been isolated by flood waters. The Bruce Highway – the lone connection between central, north and far north Queensland – could be unpassable for a significant period after a bridge was washed away at Ollera Creek, between Townsville and Ingham.
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Emergency services performed 11 water rescues on Sunday night. A woman in her 60s, from Ingham, died during an attempted rescue early on Sunday morning.Emergency services performed 11 water rescues on Sunday night. A woman in her 60s, from Ingham, died during an attempted rescue early on Sunday morning.
The Queensland premier, David Crisafulli, said authorities “remain prepared for the ongoing prospect of more rain and the likelihood of more flooding”.The Queensland premier, David Crisafulli, said authorities “remain prepared for the ongoing prospect of more rain and the likelihood of more flooding”.
He also urged residents in Townsville’s “black zone” – including Hermit Park, Railway Estate, Rosslea, Idalia, Oonoonba and Cluden – who were advised to leave yesterday, should stay away until given the all clear.He also urged residents in Townsville’s “black zone” – including Hermit Park, Railway Estate, Rosslea, Idalia, Oonoonba and Cluden – who were advised to leave yesterday, should stay away until given the all clear.
“Our advice to people in the black zone at the moment is to stay outside the zone and to stay safe. We are prepared for a scenario where rivers continue to rise.”“Our advice to people in the black zone at the moment is to stay outside the zone and to stay safe. We are prepared for a scenario where rivers continue to rise.”
The Bureau of Meteorology says the low pressure system that has brought torrential rainfall over the past week was “starting to weaken”. But senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said there was “continued threat of dangerous and life-threatening riverine and flash flooding”.The Bureau of Meteorology says the low pressure system that has brought torrential rainfall over the past week was “starting to weaken”. But senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said there was “continued threat of dangerous and life-threatening riverine and flash flooding”.
“This is a significant and protracted weather event,” Narramore said.“This is a significant and protracted weather event,” Narramore said.
“That rainfall is expected to ease over the next 24 hours, but there is a lot of water in those catchments, there’s a lot of water on the ground, there’s more significant rain to come.”“That rainfall is expected to ease over the next 24 hours, but there is a lot of water in those catchments, there’s a lot of water on the ground, there’s more significant rain to come.”
The Ross River at Townsville has dropped since Sunday and the Townsville airport has re-opened. But Narramore said the river would rise above the major flood level again on Monday afternoon.The Ross River at Townsville has dropped since Sunday and the Townsville airport has re-opened. But Narramore said the river would rise above the major flood level again on Monday afternoon.
The deputy police commissioner, Shane Chelepy, said concern was also mounting for inland communities, including Charters Towers, where several people were rescued on Sunday night.The deputy police commissioner, Shane Chelepy, said concern was also mounting for inland communities, including Charters Towers, where several people were rescued on Sunday night.
An emergency alert was issued for Charters Towers just before midday, warning that power and water services had been disrupted.An emergency alert was issued for Charters Towers just before midday, warning that power and water services had been disrupted.
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Authorities will also face significant challenges restoring services to some communities, including Ingham, where power is out and the Bruce Highway cut off to the south.Authorities will also face significant challenges restoring services to some communities, including Ingham, where power is out and the Bruce Highway cut off to the south.
The bridge at Ollera Creek, roughly halfway to between Townsville and Ingham, collapsed in flood waters. Crisafulli said significant work would be needed to reopen the highway.The bridge at Ollera Creek, roughly halfway to between Townsville and Ingham, collapsed in flood waters. Crisafulli said significant work would be needed to reopen the highway.
“There’s been some images we’ve seen overnight that have proven that the north, and indeed all of regional Queensland, is at the mercy of one road,” Crisafulli said.“There’s been some images we’ve seen overnight that have proven that the north, and indeed all of regional Queensland, is at the mercy of one road,” Crisafulli said.
“The images from Ollera Creek show the vulnerability of regional Queenslanders.“The images from Ollera Creek show the vulnerability of regional Queenslanders.
“That road must be repaired and repaired swiftly.“That road must be repaired and repaired swiftly.
“We are a resilient state. Resilience means [Queenslanders] are strong and tough. It doesn’t mean they are on their own though.”“We are a resilient state. Resilience means [Queenslanders] are strong and tough. It doesn’t mean they are on their own though.”
Reports indicate that homes in Cardwell have been inundated. The majority of people evacuated are in Townsville, where the local disaster management group estimated on Sunday that about 1,700 homes were affected by flood waters.Reports indicate that homes in Cardwell have been inundated. The majority of people evacuated are in Townsville, where the local disaster management group estimated on Sunday that about 1,700 homes were affected by flood waters.
Most of those are in low-lying suburbs to the south of the city, along the banks of the Ross River.Most of those are in low-lying suburbs to the south of the city, along the banks of the Ross River.
The dam that feeds the catchment, the Ross River Dam, was at 175% storage capacity on Monday. Flood warnings remained in place for many of the rivers and creeks from central Queensland to the far north.The dam that feeds the catchment, the Ross River Dam, was at 175% storage capacity on Monday. Flood warnings remained in place for many of the rivers and creeks from central Queensland to the far north.