Crews evacuate residents from flooded Gordonvale streets

Police teams have gone door-to-door evacuating Far North residents after heavy rain triggered the flooding of low-lying areas that have only recently recovered from the Cyclone Jasper rain event. WATCH THE VIDEO.

SES and Swiftwater rescue crews evacuated Gordonvale residents on Wednesday after heavy rain triggered the flooding of low lying areas.

At 11.30am Queensland Fire Department logged two technical rescue jobs on Klarwein Cl and residents have also reported inundation of Alley St near the rail line, Butterworth Cl and Campbell St.

Police also rescued a 94-year-old man and 64-year-old man and transported them to safety.

SES crews were at the scene on Wednesday afternoon and specialist water rescue teams were sent to help elderly people to higher ground.

Stevie-Lee and Joshua Hurst said they had sandbagged around their Campbell St home and so far had been successful in keeping floodwaters at bay.

Heavy rain in Gordonvale caused flooding in Campbell Street. Stevie-Lee Hurst and Joshua Hurst, pictured with their daughters Chelsea-Lee Hurst, 5, and Darcie-Lee Hurst, 4, saw the flood water rise through their front yard to their doorstep. Picture: Brendan Radke

“You know when it rains hard it does get flooded in Campbell St and the surrounding areas as well, which is quite terrible,” Ms Hurst said.

“We get flooded in and the elderly get rescued by the SES and police and some of our neighbours across the road have had flooding in their houses already, it’s terrible, it’s not what you need.”

Klarwein Close resident Alan Stirling looks at the damage to his fence, after heavy rain caused flooding to some areas in Gordonvale, south of Cairns in Far North Queensland. Picture: Brendan Radke

The couple said bow waves created by vehicles driving through flood waters at speed unnecessarily increased the impact of the flood.

Some residents have only recently recovered from flood damage brought by the 2023 Cyclone Jasper rain event when the water came up on Wednesday morning.

Another Campbell St resident Jade Fourmile said she was surprised how fast the water rose.

“It came up really quick,” she said.

Ergon Energy workers look to restore power to Campbell Street in Gordonvale after heavy rain caused flooding to the area south of Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

“I knew it was going to flood but not up to the door.

“I saw cars trying to get through and we saw police with their lights on and they came back with a wheelie walker on top of the roof, so I knew they were evacuating the elderly people.”

This comes as officers from Edmonton and Gordonvale Stations jumped to helped rescue two people from flood waters at Klarwein Close, while also evacuated several other residents.

The heavy rainfall which caused flash flooding, caught residents in Gordonvale off guard, with emergency services rescuing a 94-year-old man and 64-year-old man transporting them to safety.

Officers from Edmonton and Gordonvale Stations helped rescue two people from flood waters at Klarwein Close. Picture: QPS.

Far North District Officer Chief Superintendent, Kevin Fitzgibbon, has reminded locals not to become complacent.

“While we’ve seen a slight reprieve in the wet weather, Thursday January 30, we are expecting further rainfall later this week,” he said.

“We have plans in place and are moving resources accordingly, but now is the time to prepare your home and family in the event of flash flooding.

“Save the Emergency Alert number, [phone] to your favourites and follow advice from emergency services.”

⚠️UPDATED Severe Weather Warning for HEAVY RAINFALL.

For people in parts of North Tropical Coast and Tablelands Forecast District.

Warning area expanded to include TULLY. Heavy rainfall is continuing along the North Tropical Coast today.

Details: https://t.co/qmCl5AXm8spic.twitter.com/Q4eDbMEGUy

— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) January 29, 2025

Long-term Gordonvale resident Paul Gregory said there were areas of the town that were prone to flooding and there had been a lot of rain since Monday.

“In the 24 hours to 6am Tuesday we got 117mm and at 6am this morning we had 227mm and since then it looks like another 75mm,” he said.

“That’s 420mm since 6pm on Monday evening.”

Queensland Fire Department had three trucks at the Klarwein Cl scene in the vicinity of Campbell St and it’s understood residents have reported flood levels 2cm below the historic rain event that followed Cyclone Jasper in December 2023.

“That’s in the area opposite the cemetery and there is a main drain that goes down past the park,” he said.

Heavy rain has caused inundation of some Gordonvale streets. SES are on scene and swiftwater crews have been sent to the area. Picture: Supplied

Water in Alley Street, Gordonvale earlier on Wednesday. Picture: Jane James

“Council put a pump in to get the water to bypass the culverts at Highleigh Rd but if the pumps are not working or if they are overloaded water does back up the Campbell St area.

“It may be that the whole system is over the top.”

Mr Gregory said other roads in the area under water as of Wednesday included Warner Rd, Crossland Rd.

Far North District Chief Superintendent Kevin Fitzgibbon said 111mm of rain was recorded in the Gordonvale area on Wednesday morning, leading to Swiftwater rescues and evacuations.

“This has resulted in swiftwater rescue and there are properties where people have needed to be evacuated,” he said.

A four wheel drive ute escapes the flood waters on Campbell Street, after heavy rain caused flooding to some areas in Gordonvale. Picture: Brendan Radke

A truck drives through flood water on Campbell Street in Gordonvale after heavy rain caused flooding to the area south of Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

“We’re working actively with the local council, who have assured us they are well-prepared.

“The weather situation is very fluid and we encourage the community to consider what their personal strategy is to stay safe, stay informed and take these steps.”

A minor flood peak of the Mulgrave River was recorded at Peets Bridge and Gordonvale early Wednesday morning.

Water at Campbell St is lapping at the doorsteps of some homes. Picture: Supplied

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, further heavy rainfall has been recorded across the Mulgrave River catchment in the 24-hours to 9am on Wednesday, with up to 247mm recorded near the coast, which is causing renewed river level rises.

Showers are forecast for the next few days, with severe thunderstorms possible, which may cause further river level rises.

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Originally published as Crews evacuate residents from flooded Gordonvale streets