Fears of flooded roads as Whitsunday hit with severe weather warning

Already swollen with more than a week’s worth of rain, a new severe weather warning issued on Tuesday morning covers the Whitsundays.

A severe weather warning now stretches to Bowen and the Whitsundays on February 11. Image: BOM

A severe weather warning now stretches to include the Whitsundays as rain continues to lash an already saturated north Queensland.

BOM’s latest warning, issued Tuesday morning, indicated areas from Bowen to Proserpine and out to Hamilton Island could be impacted by heavy rain.

Some roads in Bowen are already underwater with residents warned there could be more flooding closer to high tide later this morning.

Queens Rd in Bowen is already under water as of 7.55am February 11 as the region Braces for more wild weather. Image: Whitsunday Regional Council

Road closures are currently in place in Bowen, Mount Coolon, Newlands, Mount Wyatt, Springlands, Scottville, Bogie, and Palm Grove in the Whitsundays and Habana, Olivers Crossing, Finch Hatton, North Eton, Homebush, Calen, Kuttabul, and Mount Charlton in the Mackay region.

Locals are continuing to warn drivers to be aware of potholes caused heavy rains and flooding, particularly on Gregory Cannon Valley Road and Shute Harbour Road.

The latest weather warnings follow weeks of wet weather in both regions that has seen the Mackay Airport, Whitsunday Coast Airport, and Hamilton Island Airport close leaving people with cancelled flights, missing concerts, festivals, holidays, and other events.

Multiple people have found themselves stranded due to flood waters like Sarina Beach grandmother and Kinetic bus operator Bobbi-Grace Kerapa-Heta, who’s son-in-law sprang into action in a daring tinny rescue dubbed Operation Grasstree and a man at Belyando crossing, west of Mount Coolon who had to be rescued by swift water rescue crews after he was trapped on the roof of his ute for more than two hours.

Hamilton Island also took a beating causing a Qantas plane to abort its landing while golf carts struggled through the water as the tropical paradise was hit with more than 300mm of rain in just 24 hours last week the heaviest 24hr rainfall the island has received since records began in 2001.

There is a high chance of rain with possible thunderstorms expected later today in the Whitsunday region while Mackay will likely see showers.