More rain puts flood-ravaged north Queensland on alert

Queensland’s flood watch zone has been extended as the state’s north prepares for a more rain, which could hamper recovery efforts in the already hard-hit and waterlogged parts of the coast.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli at the Ollera Creek. Picture: NewsWire / Adam Head

Queensland’s flood watch zone has been extended as the state’s north prepares for a more rain, which could hamper recovery efforts in the already hard-hit and waterlogged parts of the coast.

Premier David Crisafulli arrived in the agricultural North Queensland town of Ingham by helicopter on Wednesday morning to assess the damage.

Access to fuel and food remains a concern for residents who are still dealing with floodwaters and are unable to access neighbouring areas.

Mr Crisafulli committed to seeing the recovery through to the end, but noted it would be a challenge so long as the Herbert River remained at major flood levels. “For it to remain so stubbornly high for so long is really going to test the resolve of locals, and it will mean that the level of damage will be immense,” he said

“What has been thrown at north Queenslanders has been truly a one in 100, maybe even more. But people in this part of the world, they are one in 100, and they’re pretty tough, and we want them to know that we’re going to be with them for the long haul.”

Generators have restored power to parts of the town and running water is back.

Floodwaters in Ingham on Wednesday. Picture: Adam Head

“It gives you an indication of how ferocious this system is and how it is continuing to pack a punch as it moves west,” Mr Crisafulli said. “We’re asking communities to stay connected.”

Significant rain and severe thunderstorms are expected across northern and central Queensland, with some areas facing the potential for up to 270mm over the next three days. The already flood-hit coastal areas between Cairns and Mackay are of particular concern, as are the Goldfields districts.

BOM meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said the extended flood watch flagged the risks that could amount in coming days as the monsoon trough drifted over the state. “Our thresholds for flooding are much lower across these dry, inland areas compared to the wet, coastal parts, which means we need far less rain for the ­gauges to see significant flooding impacts developing,” she said.

Some 300 extra personnel from the National Resources Sharing Centre have been approved to arrive from interstate in coming days to assist the recovery.

The federal government will also open up the Disaster Recovery Allowance to people in the Burdekin, Cassowary Coast, Hinchinbrook, Townsville and Palm Island council areas who have lost income and their ability to work as a result of the weather event.

Extra police have been sent to flood zones to conduct 24-hour patrols following reports of property damage and looting over the past few days. Since Sunday, police received three reports of looting in Ingham and Townsville’s low-lying “black zone” suburbs. Townsville Superintendent Chris Lawson said he was “disgusted” by the opportunistic thieves.