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Townsville braces for the worst with severe flood warnings amid heavy downpour

Townsville suffers through severe flooding as heavy rainfall continues. Source: Getty

Queensland residents have been urged to exert extreme caution over coming days as incredibly heavy rainfalls continue throughout the north of the state.

Those living in the stretch between Cairns and Mackay, have been hit with intense flooding during what is being described as a one in 100 year downpour.

The city of Townsville, which usually avoids mass rainfall, has received the brunt of the rain, with thousands of homes at risk of going under.

The Bureau of Meteorology Queensland recorded a shocking 506mm of rain at Ingham Pump Station from 9am on Saturday to 5am on Sunday.

While Haliflax, around 130km north of Townsville, received 415mm, Cardwell Gap 309mm and South Mission Beach 217mm, during the same time period.

Emergency crews were on standby on Saturday night in Townsville with predictions hundreds of homes could be at risk of flooding. Defence Force personnel went door knocking throughout the city in certain suburbs that were most in danger.

Speaking to the ABC on Saturday Acting Chief Superintendent Steve Munroe said thousands of residents could be evacuated from their houses in coming days if flood waters continue to rise.

“If it continues tomorrow [Sunday] and the next day we could be up towards the 10,000 to 20,000,” he told the publication.

“We have time on our hands, it’s those vulnerable communities at the moment, those homes in the low-lying areas where you’ve seen the water in the backyard.”

The spillway gates of the Ross River Dam were opened for the second time on Saturday night to alleviate further flooding in specific danger areas.

Many residents have taken to social media to share shocking photos of the disastrous events as trees continue to fall and homes become inundated with water.

People can be seen attempting to drive through flooded areas, with water reaching well above car tyres. While others are spotted wading knee deep in water flooding their streets.

As an added concern, BoM announced a severe weather warning throughout northern parts of the state, with thunderstorms, heavy falls and fierce winds forecast for the region on Sunday morning.

Strong wind warnings are in place for the South East Gulf of Carpentaria, Torres Strait, Peninsula Coast, Cooktown Coast and Townsville Coast.

This is paired with a major flood warning for the Ross River, a moderate flood warning for the Bohle River and flood warnings for the Black River and Bluewater Creek.

“It is really important that residents listen to emergency services or Council employees during this flood event,” the Bureau of Meteorology wrote on its website on Sunday morning.

“The increase in flow from Ross River Dam may result in flooding of properties and the public are advised to move personal items to a higher level.”

As an added warning, the BoM said the Ross River Dam spillway gates could be opened again to prevent more significant flooding for downstream suburbs if the major rain event continues.

“The spillway gates will be opened to a higher level, allowing more water to flow out now in order to reduce the potential for significant downstream flooding given the forecast for heavy rain to continue for the next few days,” they wrote online.

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