4 hours Ago By Savannah Meacham and Fraser Barton
Memories of a deadly 2019 natural disaster have come flooding back for a soaked city after a record-breaking deluge in northern Australia. or signup to continue reading Townsville residents have been triggered by floodwaters that have cut power, closed major roads and destroyed a bridge across north Queensland, with no relief in sight. Hundreds of people have been evacuated and many rescued across the region as the widespread downpour entered its third day, with more than a metre of rain recorded near Townsville.
Australia's biggest garrison city is bunkering down after the torrential rain caused major flooding for the Ross River - along with many unpleasant flashbacks. The 2019 Townsville flood that claimed two lives and damaged thousands of homes is on the minds of many with heavy rainfall forecast to continue in the region for days. "It is a very traumatic and difficult time," acting Townsville mayor Ann-Maree Greaney told AAP.
"Six years on from 2019 ...
I think there's probably a bit of PTSD with some people who have had to evacuate their homes again." Queensland Premier David Crisafulli flew to Townsville on Monday to oversee the emergency response with a town bracing for a 58-year-old flooding record to be broken. A severe weather warning was current on Monday from Tully down the coast to Ayr as "major and dangerous flooding" continued.
"We're seeing record-breaking rainfall in many locations," the Bureau of Meteorology's Matt Collopy said. Floodwaters are expected to keep rising, including Ingham's Herbert River which is just shy of 1967's 15.2m record level which devastated the area.
Major flooding has also impacted the Haughton River near Townsville and Charters Towers' Upper Burdekin. It led to a major Bruce Highway link - the Ollera Creek Bridge near Ingham - collapsing into the water on Sunday. Local mayor Ramon Jayo described it as "another disaster" for Ingham which was without power after its substation was flooded, only had five days of fresh water left and must rely on supply drops by helicopter.
The Ingham community is already reeling after a 63-year-old woman died when an SES boat helping people through floodwaters struck a tree and flipped on Sunday. "We're likely to continue to see these rivers rise or stay at the major flood level through to Tuesday ..
. and that's why we are concerned," the bureau's Dean Narramore said. Rain and thunderstorms are forecast across north Queensland through to Tuesday night, particularly flood affected areas between Innisfail and Ayr.
Evacuation warnings have been issued across the north, with residents in Cardwell, Ingham and parts of Townsville unable to return home. Townsville police have reportedly stepped up patrols in evacuated areas amid fears of potential looting. There were multiple water rescues and almost 500 calls for help in the region on Sunday night.
About 400 people fled to evacuation centres across Townsville, Ingham and Cardwell. Nearly 70 state schools were closed across the north as well as 16 independent and 24 Catholic schools. More than 9000 people remained without power in north Queensland late on Monday.
Photos of empty supermarket shelves across the north soon appeared on social media. But Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie claimed there was six weeks worth of food in the north and stores would be restocked. True to their word, the government organised for Ingham's Coles manager to be picked up by an SES boat over the weekend to open the store and donate food to evacuation centres.
The prime minister was briefed on the unfolding drama, with the Australian Defence Force already on the ground. "In the worst of times we see the best of Australians. And in recent days, I've seen Australians helping one another in their time of need," Anthony Albanese said on social media.
Joint state-commonwealth hardship payments have been extended to more storm-hit regions as far north as Palm Island which lost power. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation.
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