Residents in Far North Queensland are being told to seek higher ground with severe weather warnings and heavy rain on the way. The region is bracing for a tropical low to cross the coast, but many locals have been told to leave due to flooding.
Police issued an emergency flood warning for the Daintree River at 9.30pm on Thursday, saying flash flooding was occurring and residents should move to safety.
In other areas, sandbag stations were set up on Friday morning and heavy rain, flooding and damaging winds were forecast on Friday as the tropical depression moves northeast of Cairns.
Up to 240mm of rain was expected to fall in a six-hour period on Friday, which could cause dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding, the Bureau of Meteorology said.
The Daintree ferry broke free from its moorings in natural conditions. The council and emergency crews planned to try to recover the boat once conditions allow, Douglas County Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said.
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“We ask for everyone’s patience and understanding as we continue to deal with major flooding that is affecting the entire region,” he said.
A cyclone warning was canceled on Thursday after the system was deemed to have very little chance of intensifying before reaching the coast.
The “disconnected” tropical low is likely to reach the coast on Friday afternoon between Cairns and Townsville before moving southwest towards central Queensland over the weekend, the Bureau of Meteorology’s Angus Hines said.
Cassowary Coast Mayor Teresa Millwood said emergency services were ready to deploy to Innisfail and Cardwell, and sandbag stations were ready if people needed them.
Residents were advised to have emergency plans in place, stock up on supplies and be prepared to leave before their homes flooded, he said.
“You never know until it actually happens, but we’re prepared,” he said. “Basically, now we sit and wait.”
Hinchinbrook shire mayor Ramon Jayo said his community had been warned to expect heavy rain and strong winds.
“We have a burden on us… but we are ready,” he said.
“We just got rid of a major flood last Monday and we are preparing again for more flooding.”
The usual flood warnings had been sent to residents who were aware of the drill, he said.
“They are restocking their pantries in case they are stranded for a period of time due to flooding.”
Other parts of the state would also bear the brunt of the severe weather as the system crossed the coast, Hines said. The coast from Townsville to Mackay was designated as an area to watch.
Heavy falls in northern Queensland were expected to continue, but also potentially spread to the Central Coast, Capricornia and the Wide Bay region around Bundaberg and Hervey Bay.
Impacts could also be felt in southeast Queensland over the weekend, Hines said, and residents were asked to keep an eye on forecasts, especially for rain on Sunday.
