An airport has closed as a flood-hit region braces for more heavy rainfall, with severe weather and a possible cyclone on the horizon.
There is no relief in sight for a sodden north Queensland after enduring a week of wet weather that has cut power, forced hundreds to evacuate their homes and claimed two lives.
A severe weather warning was issued on Feb. 7, with heavy rainfall forecast for Tully down to Ayr on the tropical north coast that was set to extend into the weekend.
Locals were warned the weather may bring “dangerous and life threatening flash flooding”, with daily rainfall totals of up to 250 millimetres predicted across the region.
Authorities have scrambled to bolster the area, sending extra police, boats, and water rescue crews to Mackay and the Whitsundays.
A new centre of operation has been set up in the Mackay district to help bolster the disaster response to an area spanning as far as Townsville, almost 400 kilometres away.
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The Whitsunday Coast Airport looked set to be closed on Feb. 7 with passengers reportedly evacuated from the building as severe weather loomed.
“Due to the high potential for road closures to the Whitsunday Coast Airport and further heavy rain forecast, all flights today … have been cancelled,” the airport said on social media.
More rain was not what local residents needed after floodwater levels had finally begun to recede, allowing supermarkets to be restocked and progress on clearing the main arterial Bruce Highway.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli conceded the wet weather ahead would further test flood-hit locals’ resilience.
“These communities are already hurting. They have been through a lot in the last week, and unfortunately, there’s more to come,” he said in Townsville on Feb. 7.
After a slight reprieve, the region copped another drenching overnight which led to flash flooding in Townsville.
The garrison city has copped 142 millimetres in the past day, while further south the Burdekin region recorded 221 millimetres.
There is more to come, with Townsville and Mackay set to cop the brunt of heavy rainfall set to escalate from Feb. 7.
Over the weekend showers are set to dump up to 300 millimetres between Tully and Ayr, the Bureau of Meteorology warned.
“We are in for a couple of rough days,” Acting Townsville Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney said.
Flooding isn’t the only threat for Townsville residents.
The local council warned on Feb. 7 the heavy rain had “displaced” wildlife, asking residents to be mindful when they return to the inundated homes after a string of snake bite complaints.
A tropical low is also expected to develop in the Coral Sea off the Queensland coast on Feb. 8 which the bureau warned had a low chance of becoming a cyclone.
However, it is expected to move east from the mainland over the weekend.
A number of flood warnings are in place from the far north’s Cairns to Saint Lawrence in central Queensland.
Ingham has been one of the worst hit with floodwaters cutting power for almost a week, affecting food supply, and claiming the lives of two women.
Power has been restored and the army helped construct a temporary crossing on the collapsed Ollera Creek Bridge , which will initially be open for emergency services to deliver critical supplies, with tradies set to enter on Feb. 7.
