North Queensland floods: Rain eases but warnings of flash flooding remain
Rainfall has dramatically eased across much of North Queensland with ‘black zone’ residents allowed back home. But there are still warnings that isolated falls of up to 180mm are possible. LATEST, NEW PICS AND VIDEO
Townsville
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NEED TO KNOW:
- Emergency alert issued for Cardwell for residents to move to higher ground amid life-threatening flash flooding
- All black zone residents in Hermit Park, Rosslea, Railway Estate, Cluden, Idalia and Oonoonba can return to their home or business with caution to check damage. Please heed ‘road closed’ signs and if it’s flooded, forget it.
- For non-life threatening emergencies, phone the SES on 132 500. For life-threatening emergencies call triple-0.
- More than 100 schools deemed unsafe for students to attend as flooding chaos hits North Queensland. See the list here.
- LATEST COVERAGE HERE
Rainfall has dramatically eased across much of North Queensland, particularly Townsville overnight, but there are still warnings that isolated falls of up to 180mm in six hours are possible.
While Cardwell, north of Townsville had another 141mm in the 19 hours until 4am, Townsville itself had just under 50mm of rainfall.
Halifax recorded 102mm, while further Saltwater Creek near Innisfail had 120mm of rain.
11.30am Tuesday: All residents from the Black Zone area in Townsville can now return home as the floodwaters begin to ease, the Townsville Local Disaster Management Group says.
On Tuesday morning TLDMG chairman Councillor Andrew Robinson said “the weather has gone in our favour” and the advice was now all residents could return home, including those in Hermit Park, Rosslea and Railway Estate who were earlier advised to hold off on returning.
“The flood levels won’t hit the peaks we estimated they could have reached,” he said. “We are still asking people to remain alert.”
He said Hodel and Lindsay streets still had water across the road so residents from that area should return with caution and only if safe to do so.
Acting mayor Ann-Maree Greaney said she wasn’t “popping the champagne corks yet” but from a Townsville perspective they were breathing a “sight of relief”.
“It’s not that our heartfelt thoughts don’t go out to the people in Hinchinbrook who are doing it extremely tough,” she said.
In terms of recovery she said while the state government had issued personal hardship payments she was going to advocate for the premier to increase those payments for residents in Cungulla, Bluewater and Rollingstone.
She said bin collections would return later this week, however people would need to dispose of their green waste themselves using the facilities open and were not to put green waste on footpaths as it would create further “safety issues”.
An Ergon Energy spokesman said 10,000 customers were still without power supply across the North, with 7000 of those being from the Ingham area.
Manager of North Queensland Bureau of Meteorology Luke Shelley said the Ross River had fallen below the moderate level and was likely to continue doing so for the next couple of days, with the Burdekin dam still being monitored.
Premier: ‘Dodged a bullet’
Speaking in Townsville on Tuesday, Mr Crisafulli said the city of Townsville had “dodged a bullet” after the Ross River was downgraded from a major to moderate flood warning.
“There is no doubt that the city has dodged a bullet, and if you reflect that nearly six years ago to the day, people were picking up the pieces, and to think that in many cases, has been spared is certainly a relief,” Mr Crisafulli said.
Mr Crisafulli flew into Townsville on Monday to help facilitate service delivery across impacted areas, including hardest hit Ingham where a woman died in floodwaters on Sunday.
Speaking to the Today Show on Tuesday, Mr Crisafulli reassured locals his government would support them through the flood disaster.
“We’re going to be here for the long haul, I can assure you. I’m here on the ground because I have to make sure what we say needs to be delivered is delivered because you’re going to have communities that are really going to be tested,” he said.
“They’re resilient communities, but resilience doesn’t mean you just leave them on their own devices. They’re going to need a lot of help in the days, weeks, months and even years ahead.”
Mr Crisafulli continued to criticise the Bruce Highway, saying the images at Ollera Creek are a “living, breathing example of why we need to do better”.
“It shows you that you’ve got so many hundreds of thousands of people at the mercy of one road, and that road isn’t up to standard, and we wouldn’t cop it anywhere else in Australia, but somehow we copped in Queensland,” he said.
He said the Department of Transport and Main Roads were “throwing everything” at a plan to rebuild the highway.
“They’ve gone and they’ve surveyed it from the sky, and the moment the water recedes, they’re going to look at every option. So there’s two elements, the first is the temporary option, got to find a way to connect the very least of the services, and then there’s the long term, and my preference is the rebuild be done parallel to a higher standard, and build in flood immunity there.”
Mr Crisafulli said there has been a call to action for interstate help, with assistance expected to arrive up north by the end of the week.
“Obviously, the road situation makes it really, really difficult, but they are at the ready, and what they will do is provide a break.
“In the last little while, since I’ve been here, I’ve just looked into the eyes of some of the people, whether they’re in the in the headquarters here, or police at the front line, or the firies, or the SES, or the ambos, and you can tell they’re getting tired,” he said.
Ingham remains the biggest challenge, Mr Crisafulli reiterated, with just one supermarket back online.
In Ingham, there has been a huge line-up for fuel at the local service station as the town struggles without power and telecommunications. (SEE VIDEO ABOVE)
More than 200 flood battered Ingham residents lined up outside Ingham Woolworths ahead of an expected but limited opening at 10am, with police only allowing in 20 customers at a time.
Hinchinbrook Shire mayor Ramon Jayo said while waters were receding in the area the outlook remained for the possibility of new rises around Ingham.
“The loss of power due to water infiltration at the Ergon sub station is causing major issues for our communication capabilities,’’ he advised residents.
“Internet services through NBN have been lost in most areas due to the loss of power. Telstra mobile capacity has also been affected due to the loss of power to the towers. “With the exception of the Ingham Tower at Ingham Post office which is supported by generator back up, all other towers have a battery back up system and batteries have been exhausted.
“Access to the towers is hampered by flood water at the moment and the LDMG is working with Telstra to facilitate access to the towers to recharge battery supplies.
“More will be known later today.
“As indicated earlier, a large generator will be flown into Ingham today to augment Council's water treatment capacity in the absence of mains power. “Discussions regarding supply operations are ongoing.
Mr Jayo said the critical shortage at the moment was fuel for generators and restocking of food stores.
“As you may be aware, the highway to Townsville has been compromised by damage to the Ollera Creek bridge and we are now awaiting advice from authorities as to contingencies for re supply to Ingham. We are working with Coles and Woolworths for re opening of the stores.”
In its latest forecast the Bureau of Meteorology said a gradual weakening of the low and monsoon flow will see the risk of heavy rainfall confined to more localised parts of the warning area Tuesday morning.
Areas of heavy rain which may lead to flash flooding are forecast between Cardwell to Yabulu.
“Six-hourly rainfall totals between 100 to 140mm are possible. With isolated falls up to 180mm possible.”
“ This risk is expected to persist Tuesday morning.”
Locations which may be affected include Townsville, Palm Island, Ingham, Rollingstone, Cardwell, Giru and Lucinda.
It comes as an extraordinary video has emerged of a woman, being visited by a crocodile at the stairs of her highset house on the Haughton River near Giru.
The freshwater crocodile is seen struggling to swim against the rapidly moving floodwater and ends up by washed closer to the home.
“Don’t you come up under my house and up my stairs,’’ the woman can be heard saying on the video, posted by Anita on Higgins Storm Chasing.
“You nearly took out my pot plants then.’’
River levels are expected to stay at major flood heights until at least Tuesday.
There have been now more than 500 calls for help in the state’s north since Saturday night, with 231 calls to the SES for help since Sunday night to Monday 3pm.
A major bridge broken apart by floodwaters north of Townsville could leave some residents cut off “for weeks”, with truck drivers carrying essential supplies forced to drive an extra 700km to reach the battered area.
The bridge, on the Bruce Highway at Ollera Creek connects Far North and North Queensland with Central Queensland and was broken apart in the wild weather on Sunday afternoon.
It is expected to take “a considerable number of weeks” to repair, Gary Mahon from the Queensland Trucking Association told ABC.
He said while drivers would do their best to get close to the affected areas with critical supplies, it was possible essentials would need to be flown in.
Latest flooding and river levels
Moderate flooding is still occurring along the Ross River with the river on Tuesday morning at 1.66 metres and falling, above the moderate flood level (1.60m). The river at Aplin Weir is likely to remain above the moderate flood level (1.60m) during Tuesday, BOM advised.
The Bohle River at Mt Bohle was at 4.36 metres and falling, above the minor flood level (4.00m).
Black River and Bluewater Creek: River levels remain elevated along the Black River and Bluewater Creek but are continuing to ease.
Herbert River: Significant rainfall has been observed in parts of the Herbert River catchment over the last few days. Further rainfall is forecast for Tuesday.
Major flooding is occurring along the Herbert River at Gleneagle, Ingham Pump Station, Gairloch, and Halifax. Moderate flooding at Abergowrie Bridge.
Herbert River to Nash’s Crossing: Major flooding is occurring along the Herbert River to Nash’s Crossing.
Based on the nearby automatic gauge it is expected that the river level is above the major flood level (9.00m) and falling slowly. It is likely to remain above the major flood level (9.00m) Tuesday morning.
Herbert River downstream of Nash’s Crossing: The Herbert River at Abergowrie Bridge was at 13.35m and rising, with moderate flooding (10.00m). It may fall below the moderate flood level (10.00m) Tuesday morning.
The Herbert River at Ingham Pump Station was at 14.34m and falling, above the major flood level (12.00m). It is expected to remain at high levels during Tuesday.
The Herbert River at Gairloch was at 12.34 metres and generally steady around a major flood peak, with major flooding. It is expected to remain above the major flood level (11.50m) during Tuesday.
The Herbert River at Halifax was at 5.66 metres and steady, above the major flood level (5.00m). It is expected to remain above the major flood level (5.00m) during Tuesday, with major flooding. .
Haughton River: Major flooding is occurring along the Haughton River.
The Haughton Rivera at Giru was at 3.03 metres and falling slowly, above the major flood level (2.50m). It is expected to remain above the major flood level (2.50m) overnight Monday into Tuesday.
‘Stay away’: Black zone residents warned not to return as worst yet to come
The Townsville Local Disaster Management Group sent a clear message on Monday: DO NOT return home to the black zone as more localised heavy rainfall is on its way.
Chairman Andrew Robinson said there had been less rainfall than predicted in the past 24 hours, however major flooding was still expected in the coming hours.
“We are asking people not to be complacent, just because it’s not raining now in your area doesn’t mean it won’t be raining heavily later on,” he said.
“It’s extremely important that residents don’t return to the black zone purely because the fact we have not reached the highest flood level which should be about tomorrow (Tuesday) early morning.
“We don’t know exactly what the weather will do. We are still working on our best estimates but mother nature; she can be pretty fickle and change on a dime.”
Mr Robsinson said the Townsville local disaster management group was keeping a close eye on the dam levels.
“There are controlled releases happening from the dam as the dam level rises the gates will open at various trigger points to a higher level,” he said.
“Water has been released since we’ve reached that 100 per cent mark, that’s when the first of the activation points is triggered.
“The Paluma Dam is over. At this stage here we’ve been looking at it from the Townsville disaster area because of the fact that the Paluma run-off will head down towards Charters Towers.”
The latest flood advice from the Bureau of Meteorology says the Ross River at Aplins Weir was at 1.71m and falling at 1.31pm, but was expected to exceed the major flood level of 1.8m on Monday afternoon. The river level is expected to be higher than 2m into the night and will continue to rise in the coming days.
The chairman said residents in Bluewater were now able to return to their homes after the flash flooding emergency evacuation was revoked.
“We are asking people to remain alert and be aware but not alarmed,” he said.
Townsville local disaster management group co-ordinator Zac Dawes said properties inside the black zone will continue to be inundated with rain, as the dam continues their controlled releases.
“We have seen some rain falls between 100 to 200mm in the last 24 hours so we are continuing to monitor the situation closely,” he said.
“The dam is in accordance with the emergency action plan and is seeing those controlled releases as we speak.”
Townsville Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney compared the current flood situation to the 2019 disaster event in terms of the scale of the response.
“2019 was a very different disaster, in the sense that we had a lot of rain over the catchment in the dam whereas (in 2025) there has been widespread rainfall throughout the city,” she said.
“In terms of response and recovery, in terms of disaster management, it is up there with 2019 and could be worse, we’re not quite sure yet.
“It’s a wait and see thing at the moment today.”
Her message to the community was clear, “if you’re in the black zone, please leave”.
“Heed our advice and if you need assistance please contact us.”
Townsville Police Acting Inspector Paul Niven said there had been no significant rescues in the Townsville area overnight.
“We’ve doorknocked over 3000 homes yesterday in the black zone and a lot of people have moved out as requested,” he said.
“We’ve satisfied that we have done enough and we’ve got plans in place … if the worst happens.”
He said police patrols were being conducted 24/7 in the evacuated areas to prevent looting and said no reports of looting have been made as of yet.
Pink zone residents opt to stay
Hermit Park residents Adam Quinn and Dani Coburn have remained at their house, located in the pink zone, and went down to inspect the Ross River late Monday morning.
They have decided to remain at their residence.
“We haven’t left only because in 2019 we could see it coming toward us so we had plenty of time to leave,” Ms Coburn said.
Living in a house off the ground she said there yard was “soggy” but nothing had been damaged.
“We had neighbours that evacuated because we had people door knocking,” she said.
Experiencing the floods in 2019 Ms Coburn said they lost everything underneath their house, but said nothing had been badly affected this time around so far.
“I believe there has been much better dam management this time around.”
Homes, roads, bridges smashed as dozens rescued from floods
Areas just north of Townsville have been smashed by more than 600mm of rain in just 19 hours as North Queenslanders face history-breaking flooding which threatens more than 1700 homes and has already cost the life of a woman in Ingham.
At the eye of the crazy NQ rainfall has been Rollingstone, which received 702mm over Saturday and 474mm on Sunday according to the BOM – beating out the Night of Noah’s 549mm in 24hr record.
The semirural beach community has also been without power since 11.20am Saturday – the longest blackout in the flood affected region.
Speaking on Monday morning Balgal Beach resident Steve Toddeschini said thankfully the rain was easing off and the area was getting time to drain before high tide arrived at 1pm.
“Rollingstone Ck is roaring now so we’ve got a good flush going on and its good news for us fishermen,” Mr Toddeschini said.
“I live right on the beach front and because we’re on sand you walk out and it’s almost dry. But if you go back a few streets its clay and it’s holding water.”
Mr Toddeschini said most houses in the community were handling the rain but new subdivision homes in Mystic Sands had become “waterlogged” and cut off by floodwater over Mystic Ave.
“I’ve been here 22 years and I’ve never seen it go right over Mystic Ave,” he said.
“Those houses are 12 to 18 months old and it would be pretty frightening for the new residents if they’re from the south and not used to rain like this.”
Kerry Brady took a picture of a lone tank at the One Mile Ck bridge.
“My home rain gauge has recorded 1475mm of rain since 31 Jan,” Mrs Brady said.
“We are just south of town and are fine. Lots of localised flooding in town thought and some residents had water through their house at high tide last night when the storm water drains backed up.”
Cardwell property owner Annette Swaine said seaside town always has some level of local flooding during the wet season but she’d never seen it this bad.
“The creek levels were slowly increasing over the last three days but overnight it came up very quickly into those low-lying areas,” she said.
While the Townsville Airport reopened on Monday morning, by road Townsville has been cut off with no way in or out with flooding of the Bruce Highway and major road damage.
An emergency alert was issued just before midnight on Sunday, February 2 for Cardwell after dangerous flooding in low lying areas. Residents were being urged to move to a safe place on higher ground.
“This situation may pose a threat to life and property,’’ the warning said.
Dozens of people had to be rescued from floodwaters across North Queensland overnight, including multiple who were swept off the road.
Early Monday morning a truck became stuck in floodwaters on the Bruce Highway at Mount Surround – south of Townsville.
Swift water rescue crews were on scene trying to save the driver.
Just after midnight, emergency crews were called to Gregory Development Rd near Basalt where a B-double had got into trouble in floodwaters and rolled.
A local resident was able to rescue the driver and no injuries occurred.
Another vehicle was swept off a bridge on the Bruce Highway near Cardwell about 1.44am.
Swift water rescue crews were able to retrieve the male driver before he was injured. In Ingham, swift water rescue crews were called to dozens of jobs where people were stuck in their homes.
Residents in Moorhead St, Davidson St, O'Malley St and others had to be rescued by boat in the middle of the night.
There were more than 40 swift water rescues in the 24 hours to 3pm Sunday and reports some around Ingham, which is one of the worst affected areas, of people facing long waits to be rescued.
Cardwell copped 525mm of rain in the 19 hours until 4am on Monday, Paluma had 607mm, Rollingstone 482mm, Paradise Lagoon 465mm, Ingham 393mm, Gairloch 389mm, and Halifax 343mm.
Closer to Townsville, Saunders Creek recorded 210mm in 19 hours, Deeragun 202, Mt Bohle 181mm, Garbutt 162mm, Townsville 139mm, Bohle River 144, Louisa Creek 151, and South Townsville 145mm.
Higgins Storm Chasing reported in the early hours of Monday there were “some extremely concerning reports coming out of Cardwell, of flood waters entering the 2nd stories of some properties and surging through the bottom floors. Flood waters are still rising in the Ingham to Halifax area also with numerous concerned residents in these areas.”
Natasha Armstrong said her mum and dad and two uncles all had their houses go under in Cardwell on Sunday night.
“Thankfully they are safe but I am beyond devastated. They have never had water go through before.’’
Julia Howard said there were reports that people around Ingham were still waiting to be rescued.
Desperate residents took to social media to highlight cases of two elderly people waiting to be helped and a single mother with three kids.
Some residents were calling for a much bigger national emergency response with the “poor SES are stretched beyond their capabilities locally”.
“ They need back up from other areas and fast and equipment.
“Where are the big Disaster Management co-ordinators They seem to be doing a good job in Townsville but it’s Ingham and further north need the help,’’ Ms Howard posted.
Sandrananny Roberts at Balgal Beach, Rollingstone said they had no power for three days and others four with the house flooded and no way to Ingham or Townsville.
“ Our place is really bad but I bet there are many more. We all live close to beach. If this keeps up we’ll end up in the ocean.
The Ollera Creek Bridge in Mutarnee has been completely swept away, with only guard rails left standing.
Bureau warns another 500mm+ rain possible for some areas
In its latest advice, the weather bureau said elongate low pressure system embedded within the monsoon trough was located across the southwestern Cape York Peninsula.
Heavy rain which could lead to flash flooding is forecast between Cowley Beach and Giru, and inland to the far eastern Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, including the towns of Townsville and Tully.
Six-hourly rainfall totals between 100 to 160mm are likely, with isolated falls up to 200mm. 24-hourly rainfall totals up to 300mm are likely.
“Locally intense rainfall which may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding is also possible between Cardwell and Yabulu, including the towns of Rollingstone, Paluma and Ingham during this period. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 180 to 280mm are possible. 24-hourly totals up to 500mm are possible.”
Ross River expected to reach around 2m
Major flooding is expected along the Ross River. Just after 5.30am, the Bureau of Meteorology reported the Ross River at Aplin Weir was at 1.71 metres and rising, above the moderate flood level (1.60m).
It is expected to exceed the major flood level (1.80m) Monday morning. The river level is likely to reach around 2 metres Monday afternoon. Further river level rises are expected across the next few days.
Bohle River: The Bohle River at Mt Bohle was at 6.71 metres and falling, above the moderate flood level (5.50m). It was likely to remain above the moderate flood level (5.50m) during Monday.
Black River and Bluewater Creek:
River levels are elevated along the Black River and Bluewater Creek. Renewed rises are possible with forecast rainfall.
Police: ‘If you’re in the black zone you need to leave’
Townsville Police Detective Superintendent Graeme Paine said emergency crews were concerned with the number of people in the black zone refusing to listen to evacuation advice.
“Our messaging is that if you’re in the black zone, you need to leave,” he said.
“The modelling has predicted certain impacts; what we’re doing is in line with that.”
Det Supt Paine said Sunday afternoon was the second time police officers and soldiers had doorknocked residents in the black zone to urge them to leave before further anticipated river rises overnight.
“From our perspective, that reflects the level of danger and the level of threat that we see in that,” he said.
“As I said before, the impact of these flood waters can be life-threatening.
“If people make a decision not to listen, it comes back to, are you prepared for the unexpected? Okay, if you are isolated in floodwaters and something occurs, whether it be a medical issue in the house, that may be unexpected, what is the response to that when you’re isolated by floodwaters?”
He said having to rescue residents in zones who were warned to leave exposed emergency service members to serious danger.
“The consequences of decisions made at this point are critical and I encourage everyone to err on the side of caution because you do not know if something unexpected is going to happen, even when you’re in the house and you don’t feel you’re threatened by the flood waters.”
Police conduct anti-looting patrols
Townsville Police are conducting high-visibility anti-looting patrols in flood-affected areas across Townsville as the local disaster management group warns people not to return to their properties.
“With rain and rising flood waters continuing to impact the region, police are urging residents DO NOT RETURN to your property until advised that it is safe to do so,” Townsville Police said.
Residents in the Ross River Black Zone including Cluden, Hermit Park, Idalia, Oonoonba, Railway Estate and Rosslea were sent a NOT SAFE TO RETURN message from the Townsville Local Disaster Management Group about 8pm Sunday.
As of 9.25pm Sunday, the Ross River Dam was at 169.46% capacity.
Ross River Dam will see controlled releases through the spillway. This will contribute to flows downstream in the Ross River. Major flooding is expected at Aplin Weir Sunday evening, with further river level rises expected over the next few days.
Bruce Hwy cut in half
State and federal ministers have been informed of a ‘major infrastructure failure’ showing floodwaters completely washing away the Bruce Highway at Ollera Creek Bridge 60km north of Townsville.
“I have been made aware of a catastrophic failure of the Ollera Creek Bridge between Ingham and Townsville along the Bruce Highway,” Hinchinbrook MP and Katter’s Australian Party deputy leader Nick Dametto said.
“I have notified the relevant Ministers and the Premier. I will keep everyone updated as information comes to hand.”
Federal Kennedy MP Bob Katter called on Canberra to step in to urgently lend assistance.
“I have been made aware of the situation at the Ollera Creek Bridge and have informed the Prime Minister and Federal Emergency Services Minister,” Mr Katter said.
“Ingham, Cardwell, and Lucinda, I am told, are experiencing the worst flooding since 1967. “The Bruce Highway at Ollera Creek Bridge has been completely washed away, cutting off the only direct route between Townsville and northern communities. The rail line is also impacted, making recovery even harder.
“State Member for Hinchinbrook, Nick Dametto, has been in discussions with the Queensland Government, who have assured him they will spare no expense in fixing the damage. But we need federal support NOW!”
Mr Katter called on the federal government to provide immediate financial relief to affected families and businesses and “prioritise rapid reconstruction of the Bruce Highway”.
“The people of North Queensland are strong, but we need action without delay.”
FLOOD’S FIRST VICTIM
Police on Sunday night confirmed the 63-year-old woman found dead in floodwater near Ingham was a passenger on a State Emergency Service vessel which was assisting members of the public through flood waters at Rutledge Street when it struck a tree and flipped.
The vessel was carrying six people, including SES volunteers and members of the public.
A nearby member of the public was able to immediately assist five people safely into his vessel. None sustained serious injury.
Earlier, Premier David Crisafulli confirmed the flood disaster had claimed its first victim on Sunday morning, after a woman was found dead when a rescue boat capsized.
“There has been the loss of life in flood waters in Ingham, and that’s a really tight-knit community, and our thoughts and prayers are with family,” an emotional Mr Crisafulli told a press conference in Brisbane.
Initial information indicated two SES volunteers and five members of the public were travelling in a boat when it struck a tree on Rutledge St and flipped.
Emergency services were called and five people were rescued safely. A short time later, an off-duty police officer in a vessel located the body of a female.
Mr Crisafulli warned things could get worse with more rain to come.
“Listen to the advice, please don’t discount, this, this is a serious event, we’re asking people to heed the advice,” he said.
Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto said the local community would be reeling after the woman’s death.
“As soon as you hear of a tragedy happening during an emergency or disaster situation, your heart sinks and it goes out to the family, friends and those involved during the incident,” Mr Dametto said.
“Our deepest condolences and prayers are with every one of them right now. It’s a timely reminder that these events should be taken very seriously, and these sorts of situations can unfold very quickly.”
He went on to say he had not seen this amount of rainfall in such a short amount of time in more than 30 years.
“We’re talking flood levels that may exceed some of the greatest floods that we’ve ever seen.
“The benchmark has always been the 1967 flood in Ingham where we saw record flood levels across the district, but seeing that the pumping station heights are going to exceed 15 metres along the Herbert, to me, says this could be one of the biggest floods ever.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also expressed his sadness at the death.
“My thoughts are with the family and the entire community at this awful time,” Mr Albanese said.
“The full support of the Queensland and Federal Governments is being deployed to assist with these floods.
“I have spoken with Premier Crisafulli and reiterated we will supply whatever resources are required to deal with this event.”
The federal and state governments have activated personal hardship grants for residents in some hard-hit areas of Townsville already.
Support includes a range of grants that cover the costs of emergency essentials, the replacement of damaged household whitegoods, and income-tested assistance for property structural repairs and the reconnection of essential services.
Originally published as North Queensland floods: Rain eases but warnings of flash flooding remain
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