Far North Queensland to be hit by another major deluge over Monday and Tuesday

Already flood-ravaged areas of Far North Queensland are bracing for the next deluge, with warnings in place for flash flooding and torrential rain.

Parts of North Queensland are facing another battering from heavy rain, with major flood warnings issued for the beginning of this week.

Concerns have been renewed as a monsoonal trough moves east, bringing with it a deluge of rain for parts of the region, with the coast from Ingham to Townsville being hardest hit.

Preparation is under way, with locals sandbagging their houses and Premier David Crisafulli saying emergency crews have been positioned in potential high-risk areas.

Emergency services in action in Ingham. Picture: Cameron Bates

There were isolated higher totals recorded along the north east coast between Cairns and Townsville and across parts of the Cape York Peninsula.

Minor and major flood warnings are in place across northern and central Queensland, with renewed rises likely for many catchment areas.

Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said there was a potential for major flood levels to be reached again as torrential rain lashed already saturated land.

Showers and thunderstorms remain a daily risk across the state, with thunderstorms bringing the risk of heavy rain and flash flooding to areas that aren’t included in the severe weather warning.

As the risk of torrential rain ramps up and becomes more widespread, the bureau predicts that parts of Queensland may receive a six-hourly rainfall total in excess of 120mm and a 24-hour total approaching 250mm.

North Queensland could be smashed by 250mm of rain in 24 hours. Picture: Sky News

There are warnings in place for half a dozen dams across Far North Queensland as well as the Herbert, upper Burdekin, Haughton, Flinders and Cape rivers.

Parts of the Gulf Country are covered by extensive flood watch and there are risks of flash flooding in the coming days that could extend across the Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders districts.

Southern parts of the north tropical coast and tablelands and lower Burdekin also face a severe weather warning for heavy rainfall, with more isolated heavy falls becoming more widespread throughout Monday and early Tuesday morning.

The warnings come after a devastating week for communities in Far North Queensland who have finally been able to begin assessing the damage caused.

“To every resident of North and Far North Queensland, we want to say we acknowledge how tough things have been. Lives have been lost, livelihoods have been destroyed. People have seen water in places they never thought possible,” Mr Crisafulli said on Sunday,

So far the catastrophic floods have claimed two lives, with hundreds more fleeing from their homes.

There’s been no respite for Ingham. Picture: Cameron Bates

Federal disaster assistance has been extended for those affected by the floods as bridges are destroyed, powerlines brought down, roads inundated and homes washed away.

Authorities remain working to supply food and aid to those towns cut off by floodwaters.

Originally published as Far North Queensland to be hit by another major deluge over Monday and Tuesday