Parts of northern Queensland are preparing for more heavy rainfall, which could lead to flash flooding. A severe weather warning is in place from Tully to Proserpine, and there is also a severe thunderstorm warning for areas south of Dunbar in the Gulf Country. The weather systems caused substantial rainfall overnight, including 188mm at Rollingstone, 140mm at Paluma, 120mm at Kowanyama, and 105mm at Townsville.
According to forecaster Gabriel Branescu, while the rainfall in the severe weather warning area wasn’t too intense, it was moderate and continued steadily. Although the conditions are expected to improve in the next 24 hours, some shower activity will still persist, as a tropical low embedded in the monsoonal trough is slowly moving towards the coast.
Warnings for major flooding remain in place for the Cape, Upper Burdekin, Flinders, Haughton, and Herbert Rivers. The Haughton River is expected to exceed major flood levels, with the Burdekin Shire Council advising residents of Giru and surrounding areas to seek higher ground. The river level may reach around 2.8 meters by Tuesday afternoon, which is slightly below the peak observed last Saturday.
In other news, two men who went missing when their vehicle was swept into floodwaters at Crystal Creek late Monday were found safe and unharmed. One of the men managed to escape the vehicle and seek help, while the other was rescued later on Tuesday morning. The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of venturing out in such conditions.
The Ollera Creek Bridge, which connects Ingham to Townsville, reopened on Monday evening after temporary repairs, allowing freight and emergency vehicles to pass. However, on Tuesday morning, police requested that heavy vehicles avoid traveling to Ollera Creek to prevent delays to repair work. The bridge is expected to be open to the public later Tuesday, weather permitting.
The Queensland Trucking Association reported that about 270 trucks crossed the bridge overnight, which should help alleviate supply shortages. Hinchinbrook Mayor Ramon Jayo expressed relief, hoping that normal supply levels would soon be restored.
Flood recovery efforts have faced setbacks due to landslides and road damage. In Paluma, residents have been isolated due to major rainfall from over a week ago, which caused landslips on the Range Road. Local Sam Stedman described the community’s resilience, noting that residents have endured over 10 days without sunshine and are dealing with more devastation than the 2019 floods. Many people are unable to get to work, and businesses cannot operate.
Ergon Energy reported that power has been restored to most properties, but Paluma remains a challenge due to road access issues. The company also mentioned that heavy-lift helicopters may be needed to transport power generators. Approximately 800 homes across north Queensland are still without power.