‘Devastation’: Thousands without power amid deadly floods in Far North Queensland

More than 7000 homes are without power and supermarket shelves are growing bare as deadly floods smash Queensland in scenes of “incredible devastation”.

More than 7000 homes have been left without power and supermarket supplies are dwindling as deadly floods batter Far North Queensland.

Parts of North Queensland were smashed by more than 1.2m of rain since Saturday, with hundreds urged to flee their homes and about 6500 without power.

Another 100 homes were expected to be submerged on Tuesday morning, with Queensland Premier David Crisafulli saying the “devastation is quite frankly incredible”.

Mr Crisafulli said more than 7000 homes in Ingham were left without power as authorities searched for a way to “get the town back online”.

“Right now, the situation in Ingham is one where our attention is focused on aerial support,” Mr Crisafulli said on Tuesday morning.

“A substation that has been offline is the reason why nearly 7000 households have been without power and have been for some time.

Ingham in Far North Queensland has been smashed by floods. Picture: Veronica Lawlor

“Workers are getting in on the ground to have a look at what the extent of the damage is and assessment will be made about how quickly they can be prepared or if there needs to be an alternative in that place as well.

“There will be a short-term immediate input into those critical assets, but also we have to make sure that we find a way to get the town back online.

“It will be hard, it’ll be humid … will be really difficult, and the last thing residents need is an indefinite period without being able to go home and get a good night’s sleep.”

He said the Ingham hospital was able to be brought back online overnight, with the Australian Defence Force working to address power shortages in town.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said the Bruce Highway would ‘take some time’ to repair after a bridge on the highway collapsed. Picture: NewsWire/ Adam Head

Bridge collapse leaves ‘thousands of people at the mercy’ of nature

A bridge on the Bruce Highway, which connects Far North and North Queensland with Central Queensland, was broken apart in the wild weather on Sunday afternoon, hampering efforts to get essential supplies to the region.

The bridge, at Ollera Creek north of Townsville, was washed away in the storms, and was expected to take “a considerable number of weeks” to repair, Gary Mahon from the Queensland Trucking Association told ABC.

Mr Crisafulli earlier said it had left “thousands of people at the mercy” of nature.

“The advice is it could take some time (to fix),” Mr Crisafulli said on Today.

“I want to throw the kitchen sink at it, because the last thing you want is a lack of connectivity. So we’ll know a little bit more in the in the days ahead, but believe me, it is a top priority for me.”

Mr Crisafulli said more than 7000 people were left without power amid the floods. Picture: NewsWire/ Adam Head

Shelves were left partially empty at Coles in Innisfail and Cairns, with roads shut due to the weather.

A Coles spokesman said the situation was being “closely monitored” amid the state’s weather conditions.

“Our team worked hard to prepare our stores with essential supplies ahead of this weather event, and we are working closely with suppliers, transport partners and local authorities to maintain deliveries where roads remain accessible,” the spokesman said.

“We ask customers to only buy what they need so that everyone in the community can access essential items.”

The Cairns Woolworths also appeared to have partially empty shelves.

NewsWire has contacted Woolworths for comment.

‘Don’t return’: Warning over black zones

Townsville Local Disaster Management Group chairman Andrew Robinson urged residents not to return to black zones, which included parts of Cluden, Hermit Park, Idalia, Oonoonba, Railway Estate and Rosslea.

“It’s extremely important that residents don’t return to the black zone purely because the fact we have not reached the highest flood level which should be about tomorrow (Tuesday) early morning,” Mr Robinson said, according to The Courier-Mail.

Isolated falls of up to 180mm of rain could fall within six hours in Cardwell to Yabulu on Tuesday. Picture: Kieran Volpe

Mr Robinson on Monday also said flooding was expected as the Ross River hadn’t reached its peak.

“There has been a good response to our call to evacuate. Most residents have listened to warnings and evacuated to friends and families homes or to evacuation centres,” Mr Robinson said.

“If you have not yet evacuated and feel it is safe to do so, please leave now. All residents in the Townsville LGA should remain prepared to leave if conditions worsen.”

The Ross River in Townsville was tipped to reach 2m on Tuesday; however, it was at 1.66m as of 11.30am AEDT, with levels falling according to 9News.

Flood warnings put in place

Major flood warnings were issued for the Haughton River Catchment, Herbert River and Upper Burdekin River while moderate warnings were put in place for the Lower Burdekin River, Ross River, and Tully and Murray Rivers.

A minor warning was issued for the Don River and Bohle River, with initial minor flood warnings in place for the Connors and Isaac Rivers and Mulgrave and Russell Rivers.

A flood watch was in place for parts of the Burdekin and Proserpine Catchments, while a warning was also issued for the Black River and Bluewater Creek and final warnings were issued for Johnstone River Catchment and the Pioneer River.

A road at Hinchinbrook Harbour near the boat ramp crumbled. Picture: Matt Price/Facebook

Those in the North Tropical Coast, Tablelands and Herbert and Lower Burdekin Forecast Districts were also warned of heavy rainfall in a severe weather warning issued by the Bureau of Meteorology on Tuesday morning.

Isolated falls of up to 180mm of rain could fall within six hours in Cardwell to Yabulu.

Several towns across Far North Queensland received jaw-dropping 24-hour rainfall totals on Monday, with Cardwell recording 655mm of rain in the 24 hours to 5pm on Monday, while 560mm was recorded at Paluma.

The floods have already claimed the life of a woman, who died on Sunday morning after an emergency services boat flipped over in floodwaters at Rutledge St in Ingham.

“Tragic news coming out of the tight-knit Ingham community today with the loss of one of their own,” Mr Crisafulli posted to social media on Sunday.

“Our thoughts are with their friends and family during this devastating time, and the emergency services personnel working in these dangerous conditions.”

Originally published as ‘Devastation’: Thousands without power amid deadly floods in Far North Queensland