Key Takeaways:
- The Western River at Winton in outback Queensland has reached its major flood level, peaking at 4.05 metres overnight.
- Residents and travellers in low-lying streets of Winton were voluntarily evacuated to other parts of the town on Sunday as a Watch and Act warning was issued for the area.
- The Queensland and Commonwealth governments’ jointly funded $2 million emergency fodder support package for producers in the McKinlay Shire has been expanded to those impacted in the Carpentaria, Cloncurry, Flinders, and Richmond shires.
- Tourists are stranded in towns dotted across north-west Queensland as rain continues to keep major rivers in flood.
- The risk of a tropical low off the coast developing into a tropical cyclone later this week is still low, around a 10 per cent chance.
Introduction to the Floods
The Western River at Winton in outback Queensland has reached its major flood level, peaking at 4.05 metres overnight, prompting the voluntary evacuation of residents and travellers in low-lying streets. The floodwaters have moved under buildings on the edge of Winton, with some properties experiencing significant inundation. Winton resident Vicki Jones described the scene, saying, "It’s come up pretty high. It didn’t quite make it to the front stairs … but definitely all under the house and the work shed down the back had about 50 centimetres in it." The community has come together to support those affected, with many residents helping each other to prepare for the floods.
Flood Warnings and Evacuations
The Bureau of Meteorology issued an Avoid the Area warning overnight, as all roads in and out of Winton are closed. Senior forecaster Felim Hanniffy warned that while the peak of rainfall was anticipated to have passed for the state’s north and central west, it may be some time before water recedes. He explained, "There’s still a lot of water across the ground that is yet to flow into river systems; those rivers will likely rise as water starts to filtrate into the system." The Watch and Act warning for Winton remains in place, with residents advised to be prepared for further flooding.
Impact on Local Communities
The floods have had a significant impact on local communities, with many producers in the region experiencing devastating losses. Liz Tate from Riverdale Station near Richmond thought her property was prepared for the worst of the flooding, but the river backing up and not flowing as expected has caused widespread inundation. She described the scene, saying, "We thought we were prepared … but with the river backing up and not flowing like it did in [the 2019 floods], it’s going in places that we never presumed would have ever went under." Richmond Shire Mayor John Wharton is anticipating serious cattle losses for some local producers, saying, "Some land owners that are out of the big wet think it’s a great season; others in flatter, black-soil country, they’re devastated."
Weather Forecast and Warnings
The weather systems are moving towards the north tropical coastline, with a particular focus on the area of Bowen north through to Cairns. Forecasters are warning of the risk of heavy falls, with sustained rainfall totals around the Burdekin prompting a Watch and Act warning to be issued for Giru and surrounds. There was heavy rainfall overnight around Townsville, with Pallarenda recording 241mm and Picnic Bay on Magnetic Island recording 244mm since 9am Sunday. The risk of a tropical low off the coast developing into a tropical cyclone later this week is still low, around a 10 per cent chance.
Support for Affected Communities
The Queensland and Commonwealth governments’ jointly funded $2 million emergency fodder support package for producers in the McKinlay Shire has been expanded to those impacted in the Carpentaria, Cloncurry, Flinders, and Richmond shires. This support package will help producers to recover from the devastating floods and will provide much-needed assistance to those affected. The community is coming together to support each other, with many residents helping each other to prepare for the floods and to recover from the aftermath.
Conclusion and Outlook
The floods in outback Queensland have had a significant impact on local communities, with many producers experiencing devastating losses. The weather systems are moving towards the north tropical coastline, with a particular focus on the area of Bowen north through to Cairns. The risk of a tropical low off the coast developing into a tropical cyclone later this week is still low, around a 10 per cent chance. The community is coming together to support each other, and the Queensland and Commonwealth governments’ jointly funded emergency fodder support package will provide much-needed assistance to those affected. As the floodwaters recede, the community will begin the long process of recovery and rebuilding.