Major flood warning for Giru, Burdekin disaster group ‘stands up’ as severe weather set to continue

A major flood warning has been issued for Giru as severe weather warnings for Townsville and the Burdekin have remained in effect with rain forecast to persist into early next week.

Tuesday February 4. Heavy rain causes flooding in North Queensland. Railway Bridge over the Haughton River at Giru after heavy rain. Picture: Evan Morgan

Major flooding is expected in Giru Wednesday evening following moderate to heavy rainfall on Tuesday night.

The major flood warning comes just over a month since Giru was last inundated with water which caused significant damage to homes.

The Bureau of Meteorology have issued the warning for the Haughton River catchment saying further showers and storms are forecast across the catchment for the next several days.

It comes as severe weather warnings for Townsville and the Burdekin have remained in effect with rain forecast to persist into early next week.

Rainfall, at times heavy with the potential for widespread localised flooding, was forecast for low-lying and flood-prone areas from Mutarnee to Cungulla, including Magnetic Island.

Townsville and District Rugby Union confirmed on Wednesday that the weekend’s fixtures, including the first round of the senior men’s and women’s competitions, had been postponed.

Other sports can be expected to follow suit.

The Burdekin Local Disaster Management Group on Wednesday moved to “stand-up” alert status in “response to ongoing rainfall and potential flood risks across the region”.

“This escalation ensures the Burdekin LDMG is appropriately prepared to respond to any necessary tasks and functions that may arise,” the council said.

“Despite initial forecasts indicating the rain would ease, the current system is now expected to continue impacting the Burdekin region for at least another 24 hours.”

The council said the Bureau of Meteorology had forecast “major flooding for the Haughton River”.

It said the township of Giru was under threat, “including the possibility of isolation”. “Additionally, Jerona township may also experience isolation due to rising floodwater levels in the Barratta Creek catchment.”

Burdekin Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort, chair of the LDMG, said it was actively monitoring the situation and coordinating with relevant agencies to ensure community safety.

“Our priority is to keep residents informed and prepared as conditions develop. We urge everyone to stay up to date with official warnings and take necessary precautions, particularly those in areas prone to flooding.”

Further north in flood-battered Hinchinbrook, the Bruce Highway remained open as if late afternoon after it was severed by floodwaters in multiple locations over multiple days.

The notorious flood-prone highway has been shut for 17 days this year alone, cutting traffic between Townsville and Cairns.

No severe weather warnings were in place for the shire, still battling back from last month’s flood disaster, although the BOM is predicting the possibility of thunderstorms for the remainder of Thursday, Saturday and Monday.

Originally published as Major flood warning for Giru, Burdekin disaster group ‘stands up’ as severe weather set to continue