North Queensland Faces Devastating Floods

Sofia A. Diaz 

Staff Writer 

Devastating and record-breaking floods have affected the North Queensland region in Australia, with torrential rainfall beginning on January 28 and lasting throughout the week. Reports disclose that some areas were hit with up to one meter [about 3.3 feet] of rainfall, says The Guardian, causing the floods to become severe and claiming the lives of two people in Ingham. The torrential rainfall drove hundreds away from their homes in fear of flood devastation. 

A woman was reported to have drowned in the floods but was rescued. However, a 63-year-old woman was found stuck in a tree by rescue boats searching the Ingham area, writes The Associated Press. Rescuers claim the woman likely drowned when her dinghy was overturned. The tragic incident was followed by the finding of another body, an 82-year-old woman, in a paddock only two days later. Communities across northern Australia are heavily impacted by the effects of this flood and the loss of lives as a result. 

Ingham and Townsville are two coastal towns that have been affected the most by the devastation. Residents reported experiencing additional flooding from the nearby Herbet River, says The Guardian. However, the severe floods carried devastation from Cairns to Mackay and to Etheridge, leaving an ambiguous impact on communities throughout the northeast and down the coast of the Queensland region. Parts of the northern region were said to have experienced nearly 6.5 feet of rain, equivalent to approximately six months’ worth of rain, says BBC. 

Queensland coast has regularly withstood torrential rainfalls and the resulting floods, but last week’s monsoon was noted by state premier David Crisafulli to be “quite frankly incredible,” reports ABC News, as floods washed away a significant bridge and highways, and blocked off the water supply for residents in badly hit areas. Hundreds of people took shelter in evacuation centers waiting for the storm to pass. 

One of Queensland’s major highways, the Bruce Highway—stretching approximately 1,089 miles—had been damaged by the floods with some parts being completely washed away. Damages to the major route of transportation were noted in another BBC article to have hindered efforts of providing relief and assistance to affected areas. 

On February 4, less than 10,000 properties remained without power and a severe thunderstorm warning was still in effect for certain areas in Queensland, according to ABC News. Crisafulli disclosed that officials were working with the Australian military to deliver generators for people in need of power. It is still not confirmed how many homes in the region were damaged beyond repair. 

Meteorologists claim the torrential rainfall occurred because of rising ocean levels caused by climate change, as Australia has seen an increase in the frequency of monsoons and severe flooding. Weather stations are reporting the rainfall to have been prompted by low-pressure systems that were rich in tropical moisture, writes Reuters. Additionally, Australian weather forecasters revealed that rainfall just within a 24-hour period was likely equaling up to 11.8 inches per day. 

As a result of the flooding, payments for the destruction have become available for residents who were affected by the devastation, as Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced an $8 million AUD community relief fund, The Guardian reports in another article. There is yet to be an update on the final damage bill for North Queensland, however, it is confirmed that insurers received more than 4,000 claims related to damages from the storm and flooding, with many more claims to be expected in the coming days. 

According to a recent press conference held to discuss the North Queensland floods through Australia’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Albanese and the Minister for Emergency Management have been working together on the ground and listening to the needs of the community residents after such devastation. 

Moreover, unbearably hot temperatures were recorded in Australia on February 4, while other areas in western Australia received a weather warning of a severe heatwave. Since weather extremities have resulted in severe flooding and deadly bushfires in the past, residents in the affected areas are still being urged to continuously monitor the latest weather warnings from the bureau and emergency services for safety precautions. 

Scientists and meteorologists are continuing to warn northern residents in the tropical region that are already prone and vulnerable to storms, flooding, and destructive cyclones to prepare for more intense rainfall. As ocean and planet temperatures increase, it will likely cause an increase in the frequency of weather disasters such as this one, says BBC.

Image courtesy of Getty Images.