In Australia’s northeast, one person has tragically lost their life, and thousands are facing evacuation orders due to severe rainfall that has caused perilous flash floods, overwhelming homes and businesses.
Since Friday, extensive flooding has affected large areas along the North Queensland coast, particularly impacting the town of Ingham and the nearby city of Townsville. Authorities have urged residents in low-lying coastal regions to evacuate without delay.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli confirmed the fatality that occurred in Ingham on Sunday. A woman drowned after the rescue boat she was on capsized upon striking a tree, as reported by CNN affiliate Nine News. State Disaster Coordinator Shane Chelepy noted that she was one of six individuals aboard the vessel, and the other five were successfully rescued.
“This community is very close-knit, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family,” Crisafulli stated.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the news as “heartbreaking” in a post on X, expressing his condolences to the family and the community during this difficult time. He assured that the federal government would provide any necessary resources to manage the situation.
An emergency alert was issued for the Bluewater suburb of Townsville on Sunday, where local disaster officials warned residents that “your life may be at risk.”
“Water levels are rising rapidly, leading to dangerous and potentially life-threatening flooding,” stated the Townsville Local Disaster Management Group. “If you do not evacuate, it may soon be too perilous for emergency services to assist you.”
Residents in Townsville’s most vulnerable area, referred to as the “black zone,” were advised to evacuate by midday on Sunday, with Crisafulli announcing the opening of evacuation centers.
Queensland’s Department of Environment, Science and Innovation has cautioned that crocodiles may be present in the floodwaters, as they often move in search of calmer areas during floods. “Crocodiles can appear in locations where they are typically not seen, so remain vigilant in all waterways across north and far north Queensland, regardless of warning signs,” the department warned.
Townsville, home to approximately 200,000 residents, experienced catastrophic flooding in 2019, which was deemed a “one-in-100-year event” by the then state premier. Crisafulli remarked that the rainfall from this weekend could be comparable to those historical conditions.
“Exercise caution, prepare for the worst, and heed the advice provided. This is a significant event,” he urged.
The floods followed several days of heavy rain and damaging winds resulting from two low-pressure tropical systems, according to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.
Numerous regions have reported 24-hour rainfall totals reaching 600 mm (around 23 inches), with some areas accumulating 250 mm in just six hours, according to the bureau’s data.
Forecasts indicate that the torrential rain and strong winds, which may lead to additional flash flooding, are expected to persist through Monday. Ingham is on track to experience its most severe flooding in six decades.
