
Catastrophic Flooding in North Queensland as Residents Face Life-Threatening Conditions
North Queensland is currently facing one of the most extreme flooding events in recent history, with relentless heavy rain causing widespread devastation. Authorities have issued emergency warnings across the region, urging residents to evacuate as conditions continue to worsen. Tragically, one person has already lost their life in floodwaters in Ingham, and the situation remains dire.
Townsville and its surrounding areas have been hit particularly hard, with more than 700mm of rain recorded in just 24 hours in some places. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has warned that the rainfall is far from over, with up to 250mm more expected between Ingham and Townsville in the coming days. A number of rivers, including the Burdekin, Haughton, Herbert, Ross, and Bohle Rivers , are experiencing major flooding, with authorities fearing that water levels could reach catastrophic heights.
In Townsville, the deadline for residents in six suburbs to evacuate has now passed, yet concerningly, some residents have chosen to remain in their homes despite repeated warnings. Police and emergency services have expressed their frustration, as they have already had to conduct multiple swift water rescues to save people trapped by rising floodwaters. The Ross River Dam, which played a major role in the 2019 Townsville floods , has now reached 161% capacity , and officials are closely monitoring the situation to prevent a repeat of past disasters.
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The Premier of Queensland, David Crisafulli , has emphasized that the worst is yet to come, urging people to prioritize safety. "We just want everyone to come out of this safely. Property can be replaced—lives cannot," he stated in a press conference. Meanwhile, the federal government has pledged to provide any resources necessary to support flood-affected communities. Emergency payments of up to $900 per family have been activated to assist those impacted.
In some areas, entire communities are being cut off by floodwaters. In Ingham, power has been shut off to nearly 7,000 homes as a safety precaution, while in Halifax, residents have gathered at the local pub, bracing for the worst. Footage has emerged from Bluewater , where rapidly rising floodwaters are washing away vehicles and debris, making it nearly impossible for residents to return home.
With more heavy rain expected overnight, authorities are urging residents not to take any risks . The Townsville Local Disaster Management Group has confirmed that up to 1,700 homes could be impacted before the event is over. Evacuation centres are quickly filling up, with one already at full capacity, forcing officials to open another shelter at Ignatius Park College .
The Army's 3rd Brigade has also been deployed to assist emergency services, with 75 soldiers already on the ground helping with rescues and evacuations. However, concerns remain about the number of people choosing to stay in flood-prone areas despite repeated warnings.
As the crisis unfolds, North Queenslanders are being urged to stay updated through ABC Emergency broadcasts and follow all official evacuation orders. The full scale of the disaster is yet to be seen, but one thing is clear—this flood event is far from over, and the coming days will be critical for communities across the region.
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