North Queensland is currently facing a flood ‘disaster’ as thousands of residents are urged to seek higher ground or evacuate their homes by midday.
Heavy rain continues to impact areas of the Herbert and Lower Burdekin and North Tropical Coast, extending from Mackay to south of Cairns.
Authorities have warned the incoming floods will be dangerous and ‘life threatening’ with thousands of Aussies warned to move to higher ground as soon as possible.
Cyclone-like rain totals have lashed Townsville and surrounds with forecasts of 200mm to 400mm expected through Sunday into Monday.
Residents have reported seeing rainwater seeping through their floorboards with fears the rain could reach to the second storey of buildings.
The Bureau of Meteorology’s Dean Narramore said the weekend rainfall could lead to flooded homes, businesses and properties, landslides and further road closures.
‘We’re likely to see widespread falls of anywhere from 200 to 400 millimetres almost on a daily basis, with isolated falls in excess of 900 millimetres possible,’ he said.
‘We could even be talking about places in excess of one metre over the next few days. That is an incredible amount of rainfall.’
Follow Daily Mail Australia’s live blog below for rolling updates on the flooding in northern Queensland today.
Residents warned to evacuate now
Authorities have given thousands of north Queenslanders an urgent evacuation order as flood water continues to rise.
Premier David Crisafulli emphasised the severity and urgency of the situation, warning residents not to be complacent.
He said the Herbert River has already reached 14.8 metres, close to the recorded 15.2 metre flood in 1967.
‘Some of the falls we saw overnight in different parts were, quite frankly, at incredible levels,’ he told ABC24 on Sunday.
‘If people are in a situation where they believe that is a prospect, don’t take the risk. Please leave and I just can’t be more clear about that.’
He said swift water rescue crews, including Water Police, SES and defence personnel, had been deployed in and around flood zones and urged anyone who felt they were in danger to call triple zero.
Premier shares image of ‘black zones’ that need to evacuate NOW
Premier David Crisafulli urged people inside Townsville’s ‘black zones’ to move to higher ground as soon as possible.
Residents have been told to abandon the areas by midday or face life-threatening floods.
‘So those black zone suburbs are Railway Estate, Hermit Park, Oonoonba, Idalia, Cluden, and Rosslea,’ Mr Crisafulli said.
‘If you are in that area we’re asking you to leave by midday and the preparation’s all been done yesterday.
‘Separately to that, if you’re in a low lying area and you believe that you’re a risk to flooding, you should also do that.
‘Our advice is you can go with family and friends, but if that’s not an option there are evacuation centers that are open at both Heatley as well as at the Townsville Sports Reserve.’
Plenty of room in evacuation centres, Premier says
Premier David Crisafulli urged those in flood zones to leave their homes urgently, noting there’s plenty of room in evacuation centres.
‘Those evacuation centres in Townsville are open and, if they are required, there is provisions to ensure further ones can be opened to deal with that capacity,’ he said.
Dramatic traffic camera video reveals river’s rapid rise
Shocking photos from Dotswood, about 120km west of Twonsville, show the Burdekin River rapidly rising.
If the bridge goes under, it would block trucks from using the Flinders Highway – the main road connecting Townsville with western Queensland – to reach Charters Towers and beyond.
The photos below were taken just over 12 hours apart.
Floods less than one metre from record
Premier David Crisafulli has warned the Herbert River in Ingham has reached 14.8m.
‘To put that into context, one of the record floods that locals talk about is the 1967 flood of 15.2 metres – it’s at 14.8 metres and still rising,’ he said.
‘My advice to people there is, if it’s safe to do so and you believe you’re in danger, please go and be with friends and family.
‘If that’s not an option, there’s an evacuation centre at the Ingham State High School.
‘There’s no doubt that those levels are at historic levels.’
Pictured: Queenslanders preparing for the worst
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Urgent flood warning as torrential rain smashes north Queensland: ‘Get as high as you can’
