Key Takeaways:
- Residents in low-lying areas surrounding the Mackenzie River are being warned to leave immediately due to dangerous flooding.
- Major flood warnings remain in place for the Georgina, Flinders, Connors-Isaac, and Mackenzie rivers.
- The latest data estimates 51,393 livestock are dead or missing across the state, with the number expected to increase in the coming weeks.
- Communities across the state’s north and north-west are counting their losses after two weeks of torrential rain, followed by ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji.
- The Queensland government has announced emergency hardship assistance payments for affected residents, with individuals able to access $180 and families of five or more able to access up to $900.
Introduction to the Flood Warning
The Central Highlands Regional Council has issued a warning for residents in low-lying areas surrounding the Mackenzie River to leave immediately due to dangerous flooding. The river is rising fast at Tartrus Gauge, with a peak expected from the afternoon. Livingstone Shire has also issued a similar emergency warning for those in the far north-west of the council area. Localised flooding is occurring at Mackenzie River, with residents in low-lying areas urged to leave now to higher ground. The warning comes as communities across the state’s north and north-west continue to count their losses after two weeks of torrential rain, followed by ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji.
The Impact of the Floods
The latest data from the Department of Primary Industries estimates 51,393 livestock are dead or missing across the state. This number is expected to increase in the coming weeks as graziers get out to muster. AgForce Queensland general president Shane McCarthy said the overall loss is smaller than the 2019 flood, which wiped out more than 600,000 head of livestock, but the impact on some producers is "devastating". Mr. McCarthy stated that some producers have lost up to 90% of their herds, which is "absolutely catastrophic". The loss of livestock is not only a significant economic blow but also a personal one, with many farmers having to deal with the emotional toll of losing their animals.
Tales of Survival
Tales of survival are emerging from the flood-ravaged central Queensland town of Clermont, where ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji dumped the heaviest rainfall the town has seen in more than 100 years. Joe Masters and his family were among those forced to quickly escape as waters swept in. Mr. Masters told ABC radio that in the heat of the moment, they didn’t care about personal items, they just wanted to get their family out of the house as quickly as possible. The family got out of the house with "minutes" to spare, and their home was subsequently flooded, with three bedrooms "absolutely destroyed". Despite the damage, the family is safe and sound, and they are grateful to have made it out alive.
Rebuilding and Recovery
The mayor of Isaac Regional Council, Kelly Vea Vea, thanked the community for its swift response and said rebuilding would take time. The council is working to assess the damage and provide support to those affected. Ms. Vea Vea urged politicians to come to the community with solutions, stating that the community needs "not replacement, but better". The Queensland Premier, David Crisafulli, has announced that the government will provide support to flood-affected communities, including emergency hardship assistance payments. Mr. Crisafulli stated that the government will work with the federal government to provide support and that it will take time to recover from the floods.
Concerns for North-West Queensland
The Bureau of Meteorology has warned that Queensland is "not out of the woods yet", with the chance of further river rises or more flooding in the coming days. The weather system is expected to shift north-west in the coming days before heading into the Northern Territory or the Gulf of Carpentaria. Mr. Crisafulli has expressed concerns about the weather system bringing heavy rains to already sodden parts of the north-west. The Premier has also raised concerns about the lack of functioning rain gauges in critical areas, which has made it difficult for communities to assess flood risks. Mr. Crisafulli has urged the federal government to invest in infrastructure to improve the accuracy of weather forecasts and flood warnings.
Conclusion
The floods in Queensland have had a devastating impact on communities across the state’s north and north-west. The loss of livestock, damage to homes and infrastructure, and the emotional toll on those affected will take time to recover from. The government has announced support for flood-affected communities, including emergency hardship assistance payments. However, more needs to be done to support those affected and to prevent similar disasters in the future. The federal government must invest in infrastructure to improve the accuracy of weather forecasts and flood warnings, and the state government must work to provide support to those affected. Only through a coordinated effort can Queensland recover from this devastating event.