Deadly floods have devastated north Queensland, with one woman drowning while being rescued on Sunday morning. The floods are part of a record-breaking 48-hour period of heavy rain, which has caused widespread flooding and power outages.
The Herbert River is expected to break the 1967 record of 15.2 metres, with floodwaters still rising. Residents in Ingham and nearby towns have witnessed devastating flooding from the river, with some areas reaching 15 metres and more.
Climate change is playing a significant role in the floods, as warmer oceans and atmosphere hold more water vapour. The North Australian monsoon season is in full swing, bringing heavy rains to northern Australia.
The Bureau of Meteorology has warned of continued heavy rain in the region, with forecasts predicting flooding in areas north of Cape York and the Gulf Country. Residents are urged to check the latest flood warnings and updates from local authorities.
As river catchments get saturated, more water will run off and engorge rivers, leading to further flooding. The situation is expected to worsen over the next few days, with rain continuing well into tonight and beyond.
The floods have drawn comparisons to previous devastating floods in the region, including the 2019 Townsville floods, which caused A$1.24 billion in damage. Residents are being asked to evacuate from low-lying areas and to stay informed about the latest updates.
Source: https://au.news.yahoo.com/driving-north-queensland-deadly-record-031124405.html