Cardwell residents urged to seek higher ground overnight due to flood risk

Residents in Cardwell were told to get to higher ground on Sunday night as a warning was issued of dangerous flooding in low-lying regions.

Residents in Cardwell were told to get to higher ground on Sunday night as a warning was issued of dangerous flooding in low-lying regions.

The emergency alert was issued just before midnight by Cassowary Coast Regional Council and Queensland police on February 2 for Cardwell and surrounding areas.

Residents were being urged to move to higher ground immediately as floodwaters continue to rise.

A Queensland Police spokesman said the situation may pose a threat to life and property.

“Local officials are closely monitoring the developing situation, urging residents to stay informed and follow safety advice,” he said.

Redlynch residents also faced minor flash flooding, with several roads closed, including the Kuranda Range, which was shut to all drivers at about 9:20pm last night.

A vehicle navigates the notorious flood-prone Gairloch Washaway between Ingham and Cardwell. File photo. Picture: Cameron Bates

Residents upload a photo showing a minor flooding on Ishmael road behind Stockland and Redlynch. Picture: Supplied.

While the slow-moving weather system is still causing heavy rainfall around Cardwell and Ingham, most of the intense rain has eased.

The heaviest rainfall occurred south of Cairns, between Lucinda and Townsville, Cardwell experienced significant rainfall overnight, with totals ranging from 400mm to 600mm.

At Cardwell Gap, 186mm of rain was recorded in just 3 hours, up until 1am on Monday, February 3.

“Of particular concern where we saw those heaviest falls was once again around the Rollingstone, Paluma Dam, Paluma and Cardwell area,” Senior Meteorologist Dean Naramore said.

“Where we’ve seen rain falls in the 400mm to 600mm range.”

About 200km north of Townsveill, the Paluma area had mroe than one metre of rainfall in the last 48 hours.

“We’ve also had excess of 400mm around Ingham where we’ve seen major flooding on the Herbert River,” Mr Naramore said.

The highest recorded totals of rainfall overnight was 625mm in Paluma and Paluma Dam.

Cardwell had about 617mm, Rollingstone with 492mm, Ingham received 425mm, and about 100mm to 200mm around Townsville area.

Mr Naramore said because of all the heavy rain, there were many flood warnings in place.

“A severe weather warning is in place, with heavy rainfall and possible thunderstorms affecting areas from Tully to just west of Ayr,” he said.

Water over the road due to flooding on the Bruce Hwy between Tully and Cardwell. File photo. Picture: QPS

The same warnings also in place for Cardwell, Ingham and Townsville.

“We’re likely to see this rainfall continue today into tonight, (Monday) and we could see another dump of about 50mm to 150mm,” Mr Naramore said.

The Senior Meteorologist also said there could be some isolated rainfall of up to 300mm.

Major flooding is also current for a number of rivers in Queensland including Herbert River, the Ross and Bollee River.

“Rain is likely to continue as we move through today and tonight, with many other rivers also experiencing minor to moderate flooding across northeast parts of Queensland,” he said.

With rainfall set to continue into Monday, February 3, particularly between Cardwell and down to around Ayr area, Mr Naramore said the continuous heavy rainfall should start to break up.

The flooded Seymour River covering the Bruce Highway between Ingham and Cardwell from earlier in the week, on Wednesday morning. Picture: Supplied

“We should start to see more isolated showers, thunderstorms and rain areas by late afternoon and evening on Monday,” he said.

“Unfortunately though, we’re expecting to see widespread rain and thunderstorm activity across much of northern Queensland as we move through Tuesday, Wednesday, and possibly even into Thursday.”

Redlynch residents faced difficulties getting home on Sunday night, as they shared videos on social media highlighting the extent of flash flooding.

Approximately 21.8mm of rain was recorded by the bureau which had fallen in the area since 9am Sunday morning.

Videos showed flooded streets, with water streaming into a gated property on Kamerunga Road and Fairweather, near the Greek Orthodox Church.

Some long-time residents, who have lived in the area since 2009, expressed shock, stating they had never witnessed flooding of this magnitude before.

While motorists driving on the Kuranda Range also faced flash flooding overnight when they found themselves in the middle of rushing water streaming past their cars.

Just after 9pm on Sunday, Queensland traffic closed the Kennedy Highway between Smithfield and Kuranda due to flash flooding.

The road re-opened on Monday morning.

Traffic was also backed up along the Captain Cook Highway from the near the Airport, Cairns city out to Cairns Kart Hire on Monday morning.

Traffic moving slowing on Monday morning as rain continues in the Far North. Picture: Supplied.

Road closures and conditions

Freshwater / Redlynch

Kamerunga Road and Redlynch Bypass Rd, as well as Brinsmead Road is closed to all traffic as of 8am Monday morning.

Kuranda Kennedy Highway on the Barron River Bridge

Notice of hazard and adverse driving conditions, motorists are advised to proceed with caution and delays expected.

Babinda

Clyde road all lanes affected in both directions due to heavy rain and flash flooding.

Dimbulah

Road closed to all traffic on Burke Development road, Eureka creek, Rookwood near Walsh River Fergusons crossing and Wrotham also along the development road near Trimbles crossing.

Stockton

Water over road on Stockton road, drivers urged to proceed with caution and to not drive through flooded roadways.

Ravenshoe

A long-term flooding warning has also been issued for Stony Batter Creek after being hit with heavy rainfall. All lanes have been blocked and drivers have been told to avoid the area and use an alternative route.

Originally published as Cardwell residents urged to seek higher ground overnight due to flood risk