Queensland's Downpour: Brace for Heavy Rain, Thunderstorms, and Flash Flooding as the Deluge Moves North!

A prepare to leave alert has been issued for low-lying areas in Townsville following heavy rainfall. Toolakea experienced 286mm of rain within three hours on Friday, prompting concerns for residents in affected zones.

P24 News Media

December 20, 2024

1 minute

Queensland's Downpour: Brace for Heavy Rain, Thunderstorms, and Flash Flooding as the Deluge Moves North!

India

A warning labeled "watch and act" has been issued for certain regions within Townsville, alerting residents, particularly those near Bohle River and Bluewater Creek, to prepare for possible evacuation. After experiencing a series of storms and significant flash flooding across southeast Queensland, the northern parts of the state are now enduring a deluge of heavy rain, accompanied by warnings about thunderstorms and the potential for further flash flooding.

In a recent report, Toolakea, located west of Townsville, recorded an astonishing 286 millimeters of rain in just six hours leading up to 3:16 PM on Friday. As a precaution, moderate flood alerts have been established for both the Bohle River and the Haughton River catchment areas, while additional flood warnings are in effect for the Black River, Bluewater Creek, and the Major Creek catchment.

The heavy rainfall has resulted in closures along portions of the Bruce Highway, both to the north and south of Townsville. Observations captured at Jensen along the Bruce Highway highlighted the extent of the rainfall, which has pooled across various ground surfaces in the region.

According to Steve Hadley from the Bureau of Meteorology, a combination of a southeast wind change, a trough, and the possibility of a tropical low is expected to bring more heavy rainfall to North Queensland. A severe weather advisory has been issued for areas stretching from Ingham, including Townsville, up to just north of Mackay, indicating the potential for intense and localized heavy rainfall.

Mr. Hadley elaborated that from Friday night into Saturday morning, some coastal areas might experience dangerously intense rainfall, with estimates reaching as high as 250 millimeters within a six-hour timeframe. He emphasized that such rainfall amounts are quite unusual for North Queensland and pose a risk of life-threatening flash floods if concentrated in specific locations during short time spans. Notably, some areas near Townsville reported witnessing their highest December rainfall totals in recorded history.

In the 24-hour period leading up to 9 AM on Friday, several rain gauges near Townsville indicated significant levels, with Picnic Bay Alert receiving 211mm, Upper Alligator Creek measuring 233mm, and Upper Black River Alert recording 198mm. These figures underscore the gravity of the weather situation.

Reports from the police highlight that flooding has resulted in the closure of both the Bruce Highway and Woodstock-Giru Road, located south of Townsville. Additionally, the Bruce Highway remains impassable at Midge Point, north of Mackay, prompting police to assist drivers who found themselves stranded in flooded vehicles. Furthermore, the SES in Mackay has been deployed to handle multiple incidents as water levels rise in residences at Bakers Creek.

Nearby, the Black Weir on the Ross River in Townsville was observed overflowing, exemplifying the severity of the current weather conditions. Earlier this week, southeast Queensland was battered by storms and flash floods, causing extensive damage to roadways across regions such as the Western Downs and South Burnett.

As the situation continues to unfold, warnings have been issued regarding the risk of crocodiles in flooded areas. Geede Bon, a rideshare driver, noted the alarming water levels while driving over Freshwater Creek en route to pick up passengers in Redlynch, Cairns. She returned to inform her family, who have recently relocated to Brisbane but were previously residents of Cairns.

During their visit, Kaimie Bon, her sister Geede, and Geede’s son, Roman, expressed their astonishment at the extent of the flooding. Standing near a warning sign for crocodile sightings, they maintained a safe distance from the creek's edge, highlighting concerns about their safety amidst the unusual flooding.

In an additional impact of the severe weather, Whitsunday Coast Airport, situated south of Proserpine, was forced to close its operations on Friday afternoon as airlines cancelled their remaining flights for the day. Access to the airport has been blocked from both directions, as the Bruce Highway has been rendered inoperable near Goorganga Plains and Lethebrook.

Kylie McPhee, who was traveling from Charleville to the Whitsundays to reunite with her son for a holiday, was made aware of the road closures via her UHF radio, leading her to seek shelter at the Calen Pub until the weather improved. Despite the disruptions, she remains hopeful of joining her family for their planned getaway, while also preparing a backup plan to conduct a grocery order online.

Local residents like Jim Simpson have commented on the unusually high rainfall amounts this time of year, noting areas near the O'Connell River recorded around 500 millimeters, while regions in Lethebrook have seen totals ranging between 250 and 300 millimeters. The community continues to monitor the developing weather situation closely.