Australian authorities are racing to assist isolated communities in Queensland following severe flooding that has forced thousands to evacuate, caused power outages, and washed away parts of a major highway.
The disaster has claimed the life of a woman and wreaked havoc in northern parts of the state, with Townsville, Ingham, and Cardwell among the worst-affected areas.
Authorities warn that “record” rainfall will continue and major highway blocked, with some regions already receiving nearly 1.3 meters (4.2 feet) of rain since Saturday, leading to overflowing rivers and reservoirs.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who was briefed on the response efforts on Monday, praised Australians for supporting one another in this crisis. “I’ve seen Australians helping one another in their time of need,” he wrote on X, emphasizing that the flood threat will persist in the coming days.
Efforts to reach the hardest-hit areas have been hampered by damage to the Bruce Highway, a key transport route stretching 1,673 km (1,039 miles). A bridge partially collapsed, potentially adding 700 km to detours and delaying the delivery of essential supplies, according to the Queensland Trucking Association.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli extended his condolences to the community of Ingham after a 63-year-old woman died when a State Emergency Service (SES) rescue boat capsized on Sunday.
“We are deeply sorry for their loss,” he told reporters on Monday.
Crisafulli also urged residents in the flood’s “black zone,” including six suburbs of Townsville, to avoid returning home due to ongoing risks from the swollen Ross River.
According to Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology, the region has received six months’ worth of rain in just three days.
The Townsville Local Disaster Management Group warned that about 2,000 homes could be inundated as water levels continue to rise, peaking on Tuesday. Many properties are already flooded.
One Ingham resident, caring for her elderly mother, told the Townsville Bulletin that she waited seven hours for emergency assistance. “I was crying, I was hysterical. Someone even hung up on me when I called [emergency number] triple-0, saying: ‘We’re busy,'” she recounted.
While rainfall is easing, major flood warnings remain in effect for several river communities.
Crisafulli warned that Ingham could face its worst flooding in 60 years if the Herbert River exceeds 15.2 meters.
Emergency teams continue working tirelessly, with the SES receiving 480 calls for help on Sunday night alone and conducting 11 swift water rescues. Power outages persist, leaving some communities unable to call for aid.
SES Deputy Commissioner Shane Chelepy urged residents to stay alert and check on neighbors when possible. Around 400 people are currently in evacuation centers across Townsville, Ingham, and Cardwell.
Authorities have also cautioned residents to watch for crocodiles, as the flooding may have displaced them from their usual habitats.
Northern Queensland, prone to cyclones, storms, and flooding, is experiencing increasingly extreme weather. Climate scientists warn that rising ocean temperatures and global warming are contributing to more frequent and intense rainfall events.
