Heavy flooding has hit North Queensland, sparking mass evacuations and blackouts across the region. A woman died on Sunday when an SES boat capsized in Ingham, a town about 110 kilometres north of Townsville.
Thousands of people have been ordered to leave their homes, with emergency services warning that roads are swamped and catchments are at bursting point. The state’s premier, David Crisafulli, has confirmed that the flooding is “once-in-a-century occurrence” for some communities.
Major flooding is expected at Aplin Weir on Sunday night, with the Ross River set to exceed its major flood level of 1.8 metres. Flight cancellations and power cuts have also been reported, with around 100 schools closing until Monday.
The Bureau of Meteorology warns that heavy rain will continue to drench North Queensland for at least another day, with some areas receiving over 500 millimetres of rain in recent days. Authorities are urging residents to take necessary precautions, including evacuating their homes and seeking higher ground if necessary.
As the region battles severe flooding, locals have shown remarkable resilience and generosity. The Halifax Hotel has continued to trade despite being partially underwater, hosting emergency service workers and evacuees.
The situation remains dire, with many areas experiencing flash flooding and heavy rainfall continuing to fall. Residents are advised to stay safe and follow evacuation orders from authorities.
Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-02/more-rain-forecast-as-north-queensland-floods/104779436