A deadly flood could be the worst on record in a century for parts of northern Queensland.
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One person is dead as floods engulf northeastern parts of the sunshine state, where Townsville residents evacuate homes following warnings flood levels could reach the second storey of some buildings.
Premier David Crisafulli shared scant news of the death during a press conference on Sunday, confirming that the person had died at Ingham, one of the centres hardest hit by the floods.
Queensland Police said the person died when a rescue boat capsized while trying to help residents evacuate flooded areas.
The flood victim, reported to be a woman, was not an SES member and is believed to be a community member.
We're speaking live from the State Disaster Coordination Centre — David Crisafulli (@DavidCrisafulli) https://t.co/ntPPD7jjFwFebruary 2, 2025
Heavy rain fuelled by two tropical lows is impacting areas of the Herbert and Lower Burdekin and North Tropical Coast, extending from Mackay to south of Cairns.
Townsville and surrounds has already received between 500m and 800m, with more rain predicted in coming days. The city's airport has been closed.
Emergency warnings are in place for six Townsville suburbs in the locally named "black zone", with residents told to leave.
Mr Crisafulli warned residents not to be complacent.
"There is more rain to come, and there is the prospect of record rain falls … I'm just asking people just take the precautions, prepare for the worst, listen to the advice," he told reporters on Sunday.
Severe Weather Update: North-east Queensland major flooding update.— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) Video current: 11:00am AEST 2 February 2025.Know your weather, know your risk. For the latest forecasts and warnings, go to our website https://t.co/4W35o8iFmh or the BOM Weather app. pic.twitter.com/ZReyXbDmLQFebruary 2, 2025
The wild weather, that has also brought high winds, has been described by authorities as a once-in-a-century event.
Major flood warnings have been issued for the Horton, Herbert, Ross, and Bohle rivers, with the Herbert nearing a 1967 record of 15.2 meters.
Swift water rescue crews, including water police, SES and defence personnel, have been deployed, but power outages and road closures are adding challenges.
This is an EMERGENCY WARNING TO TAKE SHELTER NOW for INGHAM area. DANGEROUS FLOODING happening now. EVACUATION CENTRE HAS CHANGED to Cyclone Shelter at 12 Menzies Street. — Queensland Police (@QldPolice) https://t.co/Wjd9lL7RFG pic.twitter.com/vxMIM9Liu2February 1, 2025
Ongoing emergency warnings are in place for the Hinchinbrook Shire.
Seven-day rainfall totals of more than 900mm have hammered the north tropical coast, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
"We could even be talking about places in excess of one metre over the next few days. That is an incredible amount of rainfall," senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said.
North Queensland has been hit by torrential rain resulting in road closures and flooding. (Scott Radford-Chisholm/AAP PHOTOS)
The Australian and Queensland governments have activated personal hardship assistance for impacted residents.
State disaster co-ordinator Shane Chelepy said the death at Ingham highlighted the dangers and risks of floods.
"(They) do put our members of the community at risk, but also it puts our emergency service workers and our emergency services volunteers at risk," he said on Sunday.
He encouraged people to leave if necessary from a large number of isolated communities.
"If you are being asked to leave, please do so, because it is really dangerous for you, your family and emergency services if we need to come back and rescue you at times of crisis."
Major — Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) #flooding continues across multiple river catchments through parts of north-east #Qld today, with heavy to locally intense rainfall between #Ingham and #Townsville.Find the latest Queensland flood warnings here: https://t.co/0FMwusJqJ1 pic.twitter.com/JuW9MN22R4February 2, 2025
Townsville experienced its largest rainfall weather event in 120 years in January and February 2019.
About 3300 homes were damaged by floodwaters and about 1500 homes rendered uninhabitable.
Local worker Matthew James said he had seen first-hand how much damage torrential rain could produce.
"I still now am seeing places that have either just finished being repaired or completely refurbished after the 2019 floods," he told AAP.
"So you can imagine if you lived in one of those houses that flooded, you'd probably be thinking now you might be in trouble."
Australian Associated Press