Far North weather: Road closures and flood risks impact Cairns region

Traffic is impacted in several areas across the region after heavy rainfall caused flash flooding on key routes, leading to delays and hazardous conditions.

Flash flooding on key routes leads to traffic delays and hazardous driving conditions. File photo. Picture: Brendan Radke

Traffic is impacted in several areas across the region after heavy rainfall caused flash flooding on key routes, leading to delays and hazardous conditions.

The Captain Cook Hwy at Ellis Beach was closed for several hours from 6.30am due to water across the road, while the stretch of highway at Palm Cove between Veivers Road to Palm Cove Boulevard is reduced to one lane.

Clifton Rd in Palm Cove on the Northern Beaches, earlier on Tuesday morning, the rain is now easing. Picture: Facebook.

The Kuranda Range is also reduced to one lane in multiple locations due to multiple landslips and trees down.

Just before 9am, Ellis Beach was re-opened, however, lanes were reduced and Queensland Police stated rocks were on the road, and advised drivers to proceed with caution.

Clifton Rd in Palm Cove on the Northern Beaches, earlier on Tuesday morning, the rain is now easing. Picture: Facebook.

Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said the Cairns region had experienced significant rainfall throughout Monday afternoon and heavy rainfall overnight across flood-affected areas.

“Throughout Monday, rainfall continued across flood-affected areas,” she said.

“However the intensity of the rain did gradually begin to ease.

Flash flooding on key routes leads to traffic delays and hazardous driving conditions. File photo. Picture: Brendan Radke

“Six-hour rainfall totals through Monday generally peaked in the 50-100 mm range, which is much lower than what we saw across the weekend.”

Flood cams capture cars driving over Ryan Weare Park bridge as water levels rise. Picture: Supplied.

From 9am Monday to 5am on Tuesday, widespread rainfall of 80mm to 120mm fell between Townsville and Cairns.

The senior meteorologist said the highest totals in the area were recorded near Innisfail, Tully, and Ingham, with some locations seeing heavier falls, such as 167mm at Clyde Road near Babinda.

Despite the intensity easing compared to the weekend’s deluge, river levels remained high in flood-impacted zones.

“Major flooding continued along several river catchments, including those in the (North Queensland) region, like the Herbert River,

Roads are barley visible on Tuesday morning with huge amounts of rain being dumped on Cairns and surround regions. Picture: Supplied.

Burdekin River, and Haughton River,” Ms Bradbury said.

Flood warnings are in effect, with moderate warnings for areas like the Ross River catchment, which is not expected to reach major flood levels.

“Ongoing heavy rainfall since Monday last week has led to significant river level rises and flooding in the Mulgrave-Russell catchment area,” Ms Bradbury said.

Showers, with the potential for heavy rainfall, are expected to continue in the coming days, which could lead to further rises in river and creek levels.

More wet weather forecast for the region in coming days. Tully residents Luke Leoni puts his tinnie back onto his trailer. File photo. Picture: Brendan Radke

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation.

This includes minor flooding at Peets Bridge and likely at Gordonvale early Tuesday morning, according to the Bureau.

The Mulgrave River at Peets Bridge were at 5.05m and rising, with minor flooding on Monday, February 3, both are likely to remain above the minor flood level into Tuesday.

The ongoing flood risks were accompanied by a severe weather warning for heavy rainfall, particularly between Cardwell and Townsville, including areas like Ingham and Rollingstone.

A large tree lies just off camera, captured on the council flood cameras, on Peets Bridge. Picture: Supplied.

“The risk of further localised heavy falls was expected to continue through Tuesday, though it would likely ease later in the afternoon,” Ms Bradbury said.

Looking ahead, further rainfall is expected across northeast Queensland, with a forecast for more locally heavy falls between Cairns and Townsville.

“The region will see continued showers and thunderstorms through the week, which could prolong existing flooding and potentially cause new areas of concern,” she said.

Flash flooding on key routes leads to traffic delays and hazardous driving conditions. File photo. Picture: Brendan Radke

The rain could be lighter than what was seen on the weekend, but with the rivers already swollen, any additional rainfall will exacerbate the flood situation.

This comes as the emergency alert for Cardwell, issued just before midnight on Sunday, February 2, has now been cancelled.

Earlier, the Cassowary Coast Regional Council, issued an emergency warning due to dangerous flooding in low-lying areas of Cardwell.

Residents were advised to move to higher ground immediately, as the flooding posed a potential threat to life and property.

Originally published as Far North weather: Road closures and flood risks impact Cairns region