Queensland flooding to cause damage “in the millions”

Mass evacuations have taken place in one tiny community with fears a nearby river will rise further on Sunday.

Flooding in the northern Queensland Burketown area is expected to peak on Sunday.

Queensland’s Premier predicts flood damage in the state’s northwest will run “into the millions” of dollars.

Annastacia Palaszczuk’s government announced further disaster relief funding for residents in and around Burketown, about 800km west of Cairns, which has experienced widespread inundation.

The nearby Albert River is expected to break further records on Sunday as the flooding was expected to peak.

Just under 90 people were evacuated from Burketown over the weekend with 60 residents remaining in their homes.

At least 37 properties have been inundated by rising flood waters, leaving the small Burke Shire community isolated.

Asked about the cost of the damage on Sunday, Ms Palaszczuk said: “we’ll get an analysis, we’ll get people in there as soon as we can, but I expect it to be in the millions.

“Some of these homes have had a lot of inundation, so the recovery will kick in almost as soon as the flood waters subside.

Flooding in the northern Queensland Burketown area is expected to peak on Sunday.

“Don’t forget, Burketown has been isolated for quite a number of months, they’ve had a lot of flooding issues up there, they’ve had food supplies dropped in in the past and that will continue.

“We’ve approved some disaster relief funding and that will roll out during this week.

The Palaszczuk government has activated more disaster funding, including Personal Hardship Assistance for residents of Urandangi, and loans for primary producers and small businesses in the local government areas of Burke, Carpentaria, Cloncurry, Doomadgee, Mornington and Mount Isa.

Personal Hardship Assistance provides $180 for individuals and up to $900 for a family of five to cover the costs of essential items like medicine, food and clothing.

Primary producers and small businesses can apply for loans of up to $250,000 for repairs and replacements, and up to $100,000 to continue doing business.

Meanwhile, Emergency Services Minister Mark Ryan said some parts of northern Queensland continue to cop daily rainfalls in excess of 300mm.

“This has caused significant damage to road infrastructure, with large washouts and ground saturation triggering the closure of a number of roads,” Mr Ryan said.

“Through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements we’ll support all of the impacted regions with the repair works needed on their road networks.”

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Sarah Marshall

“We are strongly urging all remaining residents to leave the community of Burketown as soon as possible,” said Queensland Police in a social media post on Saturday.

“Sewerage to the town has been compromised and power to the town will be cut off [Saturday].

“It is not safe for people to remain. Residents who have chosen to remain should seek assistance from police.”

Evacuees were taken to nearby Doomadgee, or flown to Mount Isa, more than 300km away.

Getting a read on the Albert River is difficult, with gauges not available along the river system.

Locals and authorities have told the ABC they’ve seen waters recede overnight, however further heavy rainfalls in the area could see the river rise again.

The Albert River’s previous flood record of 6.78m, from March 2011, has already been smashed.

“At Doomadgee Township a major record river level of 8.54 metres was recorded on Friday morning, however river levels are now rising more slowly, and nearing a peak,” said a Bureau of Meteorology spokesman.

“Record major flooding is occurring at Burketown, with further rises and a record peak likely during Sunday.”