Second death confirmed in flood-hit north Queensland as threat eases

A second woman has died in floodwaters in north Queensland as locals prepare to clean up and rebuild after days of heavy rain.

The town of Ingham is reeling from another fatality after an 82-year-old woman’s body was found in a cane paddock at nearby Bemerside on Tuesday morning.

The woman was last seen around 6pm on Monday night, police said.

Floodwaters inundated Ingham’s main street.Credit: Ergon Energy

A neighbour raised concerns for her welfare after she was unable to find the woman at the property on Tuesday morning.

“The woman was located deceased a short time later by the resident after floodwaters receded,” police said.

The community was already grieving after a 63-year-old woman died when an SES boat helping people through floodwaters struck a tree and flipped on Sunday.

Premier David Crisafulli said the community, while resilient, had “now lost two of their own”.

“They’re hurting really badly,” Crisafulli told Nine News on Tuesday night.

Floodwaters in Ingham are beginning to subside after the Herbert River rose beyond a 15.2m flood record set almost 60 years ago.

Record-breaking rain has lashed north Queensland for days, sparking floods that have cut power, damaged roads and forced hundreds to flee their homes.

The Townsville community was breathing easier on Tuesday after the Ross River fell short of peaking at a major flood level.

“There is no doubt that the city has dodged a bullet,” Crisafulli told reporters earlier in Townsville.

“If you reflect that nearly six years ago to the day, people were picking up the pieces, and to think that that, in many cases, has been spared is certainly a relief.”

People evacuated in Townsville’s “black zone” – spanning Hermit Park, Rosslea and Railway Estate – have still been urged not to return home until authorities say it is safe.

Crisafulli said his parents had previously reflected on the devastation of the 1967 floods and their hope it would never happen again.

“This event has proven that another one did come ... the devastation is quite frankly, incredible,” he said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told federal parliament his government would provide “whatever assistance is requested”.

“We stand shoulder to shoulder with ... every Queenslander,” Albanese said.

Recovery efforts will become the focus as flooding begins to recede, with widespread rainfall set to ease in coming days.

AAP