Queensland’s north coast is being battered by heavy rain as a monsoon trough brings extreme thunderstorms and heavy falls to the area.
An alert for probably life-threatening flash flooding is in place, with the Bureau of Meteorology warning six-hour rainfall totals between 100 and 180mm are doubtless alongside a 630km stretch of coast between Cardwell and Carmila.
Remoted 24-hour totals of greater than 300mm are additionally attainable on Saturday and into Sunday, the bureau mentioned.
Flood watch notifications are in place for Mackay, Proserpine, Charters Towers, Bowen, Townsville, Moranbah, Collinsville, Ingham and Ayr.
A number of main roads – together with the Bruce Freeway close to Mackay – are additionally partially closed on Saturday as a consequence of flooding.
Queensland Hearth and Emergency Providers urged residents to maintain updated with warnings and alerts and to not try to drive by floodwaters.
Cop’s fortunate escape
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese echoed the warning on Saturday morning.
“Comply with the recommendation of the authorities,” he advised reporters. “Do not threat driving by floodwaters in the event that they’re current. Just remember to keep protected as a result of that is a very powerful factor.”
Police advised motorists to not ignore the recommendation because the “extraordinary climate” set in over the subsequent a number of days.
“Attempting to navigate these hazards, both in autos or on foot, may be treacherous, as water ranges rise and fall rapidly and fairly often with little or no warning,” police mentioned in an announcement.
A police 4WD with an officer inside was swept off the Pump Creek causeway, close to Almaden in far north Queensland, on Friday afternoon.
The officer managed to get out of the car because it was swept into Pump Creek and swam a brief distance to the creek financial institution. He was not injured.
The bureau additionally mentioned a tropical low may develop close to the northeast coast over the weekend or early subsequent week.
Flood disaster eases in WA
In the meantime, flooding in Western Australia’s Kimberley area is easing with the Decrease Fitzroy River falling beneath the reasonable flood degree.
Minor flooding is anticipated to proceed on the city of Willare into early subsequent week, however the waters have eased within the distant communities of Fitzroy Crossing and Noonkanbah.
The federal authorities on Saturday introduced extra flood aid for residents within the WA shires of Derby and West Kimberley.
Those that have suffered a major loss from the flooding can apply for a one-off fee of $1000 per grownup and $400 per youngster.
-AAP
