North Queensland Braces for Torrential Rain and Flash Flooding as ‘Protracted Flood Event’ Looms
- Parts of north Queensland on high alert for heavy rainfall and potential flooding over the weekend and into next week
- Extensive flood watches in place for the north-west, with isolated areas warned of daily rainfall totals exceeding 200mm
- Residents and travellers urged to check road closures and exercise caution, with “If it’s flooded, forget it” warnings issued
Panic is setting in across north Queensland as the region braces for a deluge of torrential rain and flash flooding, with the Bureau of Meteorology warning of a potential “protracted flood event” into next week.
Senior forecaster Felim Hanniffy issued a stark warning, saying “widespread shower and storm activity” was forecast on Saturday across the northern half of the state, with severe storms possible from the north-east tropical coast to the north-west and gulf regions.
Isolated areas in the state’s north-west could experience daily rainfall totals in excess of 200mm, with some areas potentially receiving over 300mm per day, according to the BOM.
In Mount Isa, locals are bracing for significant rain and cooler temperatures, which could be more than 12 degrees Celsius below average, according to BOM’s forecasts. Mayor Peta MacRae said the community was “really well-prepared” but urged residents to be vigilant.
“Everyone in Mount Isa is just watching and waiting to see what happens,” she said. “Our main concern is just keeping supplies in town.”
Mount Isa District Acting Superintendent Paul Austin echoed the warning, saying graziers and property managers needed to be mindful of a potential drop in temperature and the risk of chill to livestock.
“Easterly winds will bring a fresh change, so it is a concern to us that there could be chill risk to livestock like we have seen in past weather events,” he said.
In Cloncurry, the State Emergency Service began handing out sandbags on Friday, as the town received 120mm of rain in the 24-hour period to 9am on Boxing Day.
As the rain continues to fall, residents and travellers are being urged to monitor conditions and check road closures before setting out. Rolling road closures due to flooding were reported on Boxing Day, with conditions changing quickly.
Cr MacRae urged travellers to exercise caution and consider waiting for a more predictable time to visit the north-west. “We’re hoping people make sensible decisions and they’re patient,” she said.
With monsoon conditions set to continue into next week, the BOM’s Mr Hanniffy warned of a coastal trough that could lead to heavy to intense rainfall on the north-east coast, particularly between Bowen and Cairns, early next week.