North Queensland weather: Intense rain, localised floods forecast

The Emergency Alert Watch declared on Friday evening has been cancelled following torrential rains and flooded roads.

4 min read

December 21, 2024 - 12:16PM

Townsville Bulletin

Local Disaster Management Groups (LDMG) issued severe weather warnings on Friday morning for “heavy, locally intense rainfall” stretching from Ingham to Mackay.

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Queensland Police have reported the Emergency Alert Watch which was declared Friday evening following torrential rain has been cancelled.

Earlier it was also announced the Townsville Local Disaster Management Group were standing down as the threat of rain and flooding reduced overnight.

TLDMG also reported river levels had dropped.

Chair of the management group Andrew Robinson said some areas may still experience localised flooding Saturday and Sunday despite the reduced rain.

“Residents should also continue to be careful on the roads and obey road closure signs,” he said.

“Do not enter floodwaters. There may be rubbish or other debris on the ground or in remaining floodwater, and spiders, rats and snakes may have moved inside buildings to escape the rain.”

Mr Robinson also advised businesses and homes to check for electrical damage before going inside and use personal protective equipment.

“Every household must have a plan and an emergency kit, and that plan must include alternate place to shelter if you need to leave your home.”

EARLIER

The Bureau of Meteorology has reported that an immediate threat of severe thunderstorms west of the Townsville region has passed, but that weather patterns will continue to be monitored.

However, it issued an updated report in which it said weather warnings for intense rainfall remained current on the coastal areas between Ingham and the north of Mackay.

But the Queensland Police Service issued an alert for the Townsville area, advising residents to prepare to leave if conditions worsen at Bohle River and Blue Water Creek.

4:20PM: The Burdekin Shire Council has announced a moderate flood warning with possible flash flooding due to torrential incoming downpours.

The alert has been published on the council disaster dashboard following a warning from the Bureau of Meteorology.

It said the Haughton River was slowly rising.

“Flash Flooding is possible due to the likelihood of locally intense rainfall tonight and through Saturday morning,” the weather warning read.

“Six-hourly rainfall totals of up to 250 mm could be experienced and will most likely be near the coast.”

Gallery: Big wet lashes Townsville

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The warning said that people in the following areas should prepare now in case it starts to flood:

Giru and surrounding communities

Haughton River catchment

“Do not expect emergency services to come to your door.”

The Bruce Highway, meanwhile, has been inundated by floodwaters north of Townsville as North Queensland continues to be lashed by wet weather.

Local Disaster Management Groups (LDMG) issued severe weather warnings on Friday morning for “heavy, locally intense rainfall” stretching from Ingham to Mackay.

Rain heading south toward Townsville on Friday morning.

The Townsville Local Disaster Management Group sprung into action on Friday afternoon, issuing a warning of potentially dangerous localised flooding in the next 24 to 48 hours, and announcing that sand to fill sandbags would be available at four locations.

Floodwaters from heavy rainfall has forced the closure of the Bruce Highway at Giru.

Transport and Main Roads said the road is closed “to all traffic” and has not provided an update as to when it will open.

Queensland Fire Department announced at 2.30pm that the Bruce Highway had been inundated by floodwaters at Yabulu, advising motorists not to attempt to get through.

“Do not drive in flood waters.”

There are reports on social media that at least one vehicle became stuck attempting to do so.

A minor flood alert for the Herbert River in Hinchinbrook was issued about 3.30pm, well below the level to threaten homes but potentially enough to threaten to cut the Bruce Highway at Gairloch north of Ingham.

The road remains open.

Rainfall totals in the last 24 hours.

Parts of Townsville and Mackay have been hammered by rainfall totals of in excess of 100mm in the last 24 hours, with totals in excess of 50mm falling in parts of Hinchinbrook and Charters Towers.

Rain covers Castle Hill on Friday. Picture: Nikita McGuire

Charters Towers Regional Council said that with Christmas holidays upon us, and the severe weather season “well and truly underway”, that it was important to heed the Queensland Government’s long-running ‘If it’s flooded, forget it’ campaign.

“A car can be swept away in as little as 15cm of floodwater, and even in shallow floodwater, steering, electrics and the engine can all fail,” a council spokesperson said.

“Alarmingly, research suggests many drivers overestimate their car’s ability to drive through water, even if they’ve never tried.”

Road sign closures at Woodstock-Giru Rd.

There are currently minor to moderate flood warnings for local rivers, with thunderstorms expected to persist till Saturday.

The Burdekin Shire Council has warned of a dangerous washout on Bahr Road in Shirbourne, Giru.

“Crews are evaluating the damage with a view to undertaking temporary repairs as soon as possible,” the council said.

Two rural Hinchinbrook Shire Council roads have been closed but the Bruce Highway at the notorious Gairloch S-bend north of Ingham remains open.

The Herbert River, however, is rising at Gairloch, as well as Ingham but are well below official minor flood levels.

A “moderate flood warning” was issued for the Haughton River Catchment while a separate flood warning was issued for the Major Creek Catchment at 10.36am on Friday.

“Heavy rainfall has been recorded across the Haughton River catchment from Thursday morning,” it says.

“This has resulted in rapid river level rises, with minor flooding possible at Giru from early Friday morning.”

A “severe weather warning” is in affect for the Burdekin, Central Coast and the Whitsundays.

In the Burdekin Shire, there are total road closures due to floodwaters in Mount Surround, Ayr Dalbeg Road, Kelly Road, Home Hill Kirknie Rd and Ayr Ravenswood Road.

“Do not drive in flood waters,” the Burdekin Shire Council warned.