Rain to continue after heavy falls trigger flash flooding, rock slides

A very high chance of rain today will follow on from yesterday’s heavy downpours, which led to flash flooding and caused a rockslide.

South Townsville Fire station manager Luke Smith assists at a unit complex in Alexandra Street, North Ward hit by flash flooding during monsoonal rain in Townsville. PICTURE: MATT TAYLOR.

A very high chance of rain today will follow on from yesterday’s heavy downpours, which led to flash flooding and caused a rockslide.

Parts of Townsville got more than 200mm of rain over a 24 period as a low pressure system moves across Northern Australia.

Nelly Bay got 216mm of rain from 9am Monday to 6am Tuesday, while Picnic Bay got drenched by 160mm and the city got 156mm.

Townsville State Emergency Service local controller Vince Close said crews were busy helping prevent flood damage across the city.

“We had 21 jobs all over town, sandbagging and tarping,” he said.

“Just typical wet season jobs.”

RELATED

Deluge easing up but heavy rain still possible

Plea to cut costs of insurance bills

Residents in a unit complex in Alexandra Street, North Ward were hit by flash flooding during monsoonal rain in Townsville. PICTURE: MATT TAYLOR.

Overnight, people living in a North Ward unit on Alexandra St were told to head to the top storey because of localised flooding.

Resident Kate Sullivan had just finished replacing the last of her flood damaged items from 2019 when stormwater swept through her apartment.

Four firefighting crews and a swift water boat were called out to the address.

The heavy rain also dislodged rocks, causing a rock slide in the city at Sturt St.

Large chunks of rocks fell across both lanes, however there were no reported injuries.

Motorists are advised to use an alternative route with debris on the road still affecting traffic.

The remnants of the rock slide on Sturt St. Photo: Alix Sweeney

Today there is a 95 per cent chance of showers and a chance of a thunderstorm, according to the weather bureau.

High chances of more rain are expected through much of the week, easing slightly by Friday.

The weather bureau is warning of “dangerous and life-threatening” flash flooding in the Burdekin after more than 400mm of rain fell in some parts.

Originally published as Rain to continue after heavy falls trigger flash flooding, rock slides