Prime Minister, Premier to travel to Queensland flood zone
Anthony Albanese will head to flooded Far North Queensland with Steven Miles, as new details are revealed about widespread devastation. One person remains missing in the area, with police finally reaching his home, destroyed by floods.
QLD News
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Police have confirmed that an extensive search and rescue operation to locate a missing 85-year-old man in flood-affected Degarra in the Douglas Shire is continuing.
The local man was last heard from on Sunday night and has not been seen or heard from since. Authorities have since been able to access the man’s flood-destroyed property to no avail.
The search, which involves officers on foot and Water Police is yet to reveal any sign of the man, with police holding grave concerns for his well-being.
State disaster coordinator deputy commissioner Shane Chelepy said on Tuesday night that police were committed to continuing search efforts in the difficult conditions.
“Our crews on the ground are working tirelessly to search through flood waters and on land to locate this man which remains unaccounted for,” he said.
“The conditions are difficult due to flooding and debris, however search efforts will continue as waters begin to recede.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact police immediately.
Earlier in the day, the first evacuees from a tiny flood inundated Far North Queensland town arrived safely in Cooktown.
Cook Shire Mayor Peter Scott said about 20 people from Wujal Wujal, including elderly, children and some parents had arrived by helicopter on Tuesday afternoon.
Cooktown had been planning to play host to about 300 Wujal Wujal community members but Mr Scott said some residents were now asking to stay behind in the remote Indigenous community.
“We’re not sure how many we will get in (to Cooktown) today,” he said.
“But there are quite a few people now choosing to stay even though they have no power or water or sewerage.
“They’re asking if we can instead bring the supplies into them there.
“We would prefer they came here because we are well supplied. We’ll have them as long as it takes to get Wujal Wujal back on its feet.”
The evacuation efforts come as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced he will travel with Premier Steven Miles to flooded Far North Queensland on Thursday and Friday.
Speaking at a press conference in Brisbane today, Mr Albanese thanked those who had so far helped with the recovery and rescue efforts.
“Of course there will be some difficult days and weeks ahead,” he said.
Mr Albanese gave a special shout out to local hero Magoo, who evacuated people off roofs with his helicopter, and Gavin who rescued residents clinging to trees in floodwaters in his tinny.
“These are the stories of which every Australian can be proud of the very essence of the Australian character that shines through, the true Australian spirit we see time and time again,” he said.
Applications for federal disaster recovery payments and the disaster allowance will open on Wednesday.
One off payments up to $1000 per adult and $400 per child will be made available to Far North Queenslanders impacted by the floods and 13 weeks of income support will be offered to employees or sole traders affected by the flood event.
Mr Miles said clean up and disaster assessments could now begin, and praised “local heroes” who continued to work tirelessly.
“We have continued … to see acts of bravery from frontline workers and local heroes, local volunteers,” he said.
“Far North Queenslanders are incredibly resilient. I know that they are tired and some of them are wet but we continue to see them doing what they do, supporting their neighbours and getting on with the job cleaning up after this disaster.”
Residents cleaning up in the mud were urged to wear enclosed shoes to protect them from contaminated flood waters.
To Wujal Wujal residents waiting to be evacuated, Mr Miles said “help is on its way”.
“We have support in place for when you get to Cooktown,” he said.
“Healthcare, food, showers at the PCYC.”
An 85-year-old Degarra man remains missing, Mr Miles confirmed.
One home has so far been totally destroyed, 15 severely damaged, another 15 moderately damaged and 92 assessed for minor damage.
All major arterial roads north to Port Douglas and west towards the Tablelands remain cut off.
The Bruce Highway to Cairns has reopened, as has the Cairns Airport.
Senior Meteorologist Laura Boekel said the focus of storms was now around the Cape York area, which could see localised flash flooding today and Wednesday.
Asked how the Bureau of Meteorology got Saturday’s forecasting “so wrong”, Ms Boekel said “we used the best science”.
“We did have a lot of lead time for that tropical cyclone and the flooding and the aftermath of that, “ she said.
“However it was the rain rates that evolved quickly over the weekend, so we used the best science to make those predictions and we had to change that warning strategy quite quickly … as we got more information that those rain rates were likely to be higher.”
Ms Boekel said emergency services and local councils were briefed on Saturday afternoon, with first alerts issued at 9pm.
She said the most up to date information was always on the Bureau’s website and app.
Jumping in to defend the Bureau, Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt said “meteorology is not a perfect science” and if not every single detail was right – “that’s unfortunate”.
“The fact is, I was certainly seeing warnings … from the Bureau days leading up to this event that we were facing life-threatening flash flooding,” he said.
“That was there for all people to see, and if we weren’t able to get through the Bureau of Meteorology every single detail right, that’s unfortunate.”
Mr Watt conceded that if any improvements could be made around warning systems, they would be made.
Deputy Police Commissioner Shane Chelepy said aerial rescues were conducted this morning in the Daintree area, which remains isolated by floodwaters.
“We have over 32 communities that have a small number of houses or properties that we need to access today to check on the welfare of those people,” he said.
“We’re using our rescue helicopter and police and other emergency services to do that as we speak.”
Mossman, Cooktown and “other isolated communities” will be replenished with food, water and medical supplies today.
QFES Acting Commissioner Stephen Smith said calls for assistance had seen a “tempo shift”.
Brigadier Richard Peace said the AFD would likely evacuate up to 120 of the 300 Wujal Wujal residents today.
Ergon acting chief operating officer Jeff Green said more than 500 workers were now on the ground in Far North Queensland inspecting and restoring electricity supply.
On Tuesday 11,000 households and businesses were without power, the majority in Cairns, Mareeba, Douglas and Livingstone Shire council areas.
“It’s very difficult for crews to gain access,” Mr Green said.
“We’re very fortunate we have support from other agencies like the SES. They’ve taken us in on their watercraft.”
Mr Green said the situation was “hazardous” with lots of debris and wildlife blocking access.
Significant infrastructure damage has been identified, power poles and lines are down and crews have “lots of work to do”.
“Our crews have come from all over to support and do our very best to have people on by Christmas,” he said.
Those with significant damage need to book a licensed electrical contractor to do an inspection on their property before reconnecting to the power supply.
More Coverage
Originally published as Prime Minister, Premier to travel to Queensland flood zone
Join the conversation
Easier appointments, more bulk-billing: Huge turnaround in GP access
Queenslanders could find it easier to secure a doctor’s appointment, as general practice is showing signs of a revival. Find out why.
Read more
‘Scariest year’ now ‘the norm’: Jewish community’s reality since Oct 7
Members of the Queensland Jewish community have gathered in an emotional commemoration to mark one year since the October 7 attacks.
Read more