Warning of worse flooding to come in northern Queensland after woman dies

A woman has died during flooding that has swamped parts of northern Queensland after a rescue boat capsized. There are warnings the water is still rising.

A car caught in flooding. Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Chelepy says the next two days will be dangerous for residents. Picture: Cameron Bates

A woman has died in flooding that has swamped parts of northern Queensland after a rescue boat capsized early Sunday, as Queensland Premier David Crisafulli warned of “immense damage”.

Heavy rainfall of more than 1 metre in the past few days has led to evacuation orders in Townsville amid warnings that flood waters were still rising and set to peak later in the afternoon.

Thousands of residents have already left their homes with authorities predicting possible “life-threatening” flooding up to second-storey levels in parts between Ingham, just south of Cairns down to Mackay.

The region was hit with monsoonal downpours overnight, after days of heavy rains, with the Bureau of Meteorology recording 700mm of rain from 9am Saturday to 7am Sunday at Paluma Dam, near Townsville, 639mm at Rollingstone and 368mm at Ingham Airport.

Heavy rain is still falling across North Queensland.

Police confirmed that the woman who died, who has yet to be publicly identified, was travelling in an SES swift rescue boat with two personnel and three other residents in the Ingham area when it capsized after striking a tree. A Queensland Police spokesperson said the person was found deceased just before 9.20am.

The other people in the boat were later rescued.

Premier David Crisafulli speaks on the unfolding flood emergency in Far North Queensland on Sunday. Picture Lachie Millard

Mr Crisafulli, who grew up on a sugarcane farm near Ingham, where his family still resides, said the region has been hit with the worst flooding in a century.

Mr Crisafulli warned that residents needed to follow evacuation orders.

“In the black zones, it is not an if or a but you must leave by midday … and you will be safe,’’ he told reporters earlier on Sunday.

“There will be parts between Cairns and Mackay where there will be immense damage.

“If you think about the level of rain fallen in a short period and with more to come, this is of monsoonal proportions, it is a big event.”

He said his family was “okay”.

Mr Crisafulli confirmed the death but would not give further details until her family was contacted.

“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 the family,” he said.

“We’ve seen what flood waters look like. There’s debris in the waters. We’re not speculating on this.

“They are dangerous operations that our emergency services and our emergency volunteers are facing.”

The Queensland Police Service is alerting residents that the flood danger may be growing. Picture: Cameron Bates

Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Chelepy said the next two days would be dangerous for residents.

“Sadly, it [the woman’s death] highlights the dangers and the risks of these events,” he said.

“I really can’t go into much further detail in relation to this matter, as it is still unfolding as we speak, but I can say it will be fully investigated,” he said.

“I just want to ensure and make sure that all support will be provided to our emergency services and the Ingham community.”

Lannercost St, Ingham's main street. Picture: Cameron Bates

Senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said more than 1000mm had fallen in parts of the state between Townsville and Ingham.

“Practically, 700 millimetres has fallen in the last 22 hours, and around the Townsville area, we’ve seen another 150 to 250mm fall on top of the 300mm plus we saw yesterday,” Mr Narramore said.

“So Townsville is approaching 48-hour totals in excess of 500mm, and unfortunately there’s a lot more to come.”

After heavy rain around Townsville, the Aplins Weir. Picture: Evan Morgan

In a statement, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the federal government was assisting state and local authorities.

“Heartbreaking news out of Queensland today, with police confirming a woman has died in floodwaters in Ingham,’’ he said.

“My thoughts are with the family and the entire community at this awful time.

“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.”

Peter Sharpe carries a pair of cats to safety in Carmody Street, Rosslea. Picture: Evan Morgan