Pictures: Adavale police officer speaks of heartbreaking flood aftermath

A resilient and longstanding police officer who put his life on the line to support his western Queensland community through the devastating floods is now helping frontline services with the clean-up.

Adavale flood aftermath, April 2025.

A resilient and longstanding police officer who put his life on the line to support his western Queensland community through the devastating floods is now helping frontline services with the clean-up.

As Adavale residents return to their tiny Outback town, about 550km west of Roma, senior constable Chris Seng said it’s been a heartbreaking sight for locals.

“Everywhere you look there’s damage and destruction and heartache,” he said.

“They’re all good people here and it’s heartbreaking to see what’s here.”

Adavale from the air during the devastating 2025 flooding event.

When floodwater began to rise in Adavale, senior constable Seng said he couldn’t believe the force of the current, which almost swept him away during a rescue mission.

“It knocked me off my feet a couple of times, I nearly got swept away,” he said.

He said he had no time to think about the dangers of the situation, because he was too focused on the job.

“You just got to do with you got to do, I just wanted to get to them,” he said.

Adavale Senior Constable Chris Seng. Picture: QPS / Supplied

During the height of the flood, senior constable Seng and a resident used an old tinnie to ferry people in chest deep water to safety.

He said he’s worked in the small community for 16 years, and said although the town was devastated, their tough spirit would see them through the clean-up.

“Everybody is pretty resilient and they’ll get into it and get it done,” he said.

Adavale flood aftermath photo provided by the SES.

Adavale is just one of several isolated communities that was cut off by the ongoing flooding.

Residents were evacuated on March 27 when fast-rising floodwaters inundated the town, with residents returning for the first time this week to assess the extent of the damage to their properties.

Both the police and SES have been feeding and caring for the residents’ livestock and pets that made it through the disaster.

Adavale flood aftermath photo provided by the SES.

Senior constable Seng said the extent of the destruction was confronting.

“We’ve been doing what we can to start the clean-up and make sure the animals are well looked after while people still couldn’t access the town,” he said.

“I know returning home to see the damage will be difficult.

“But the State Emergency Service has been here every day helping to get the recovery process underway, helping to feed the animals, and starting washouts to remove the mud and debris from properties.”

Photos of SES volunteers helping in Adavale. Picture: SES

SES incident controller David Bennett said they have been working through multiple requests for assistance across western Queensland.

“SES crews are committed to helping and will respond as conditions allow,” Mr Bennett said.

“Planning is underway for additional SES deployments to support communities and assist with the clean-up as water recedes and necessary services such as water are restored.”

He said there are currently 77 SES members active throughout Western and Southern Queensland supporting affected communities.

A Queensland Police spokeswoman said the state government and private aircraft were deployed to Longreach and Charleville to help with the refuelling and resupply efforts.

“They have also been undertaking fodder drops for isolated properties and remote stations,” she said.

“Most of the river heights are starting to recede, and it is expected more people will return home in the coming days and weeks, as flood waters eventually subside.”