Key Takeaways:
- A police officer in far north Queensland showed courageous efforts by entering crocodile-filled waters to recover a deceased man from a submerged vehicle.
- Dozens of roads remain closed and communities are isolated due to flood waters in outback Queensland.
- A man in his 70s was found dead in a submerged vehicle in the town of Normanton on Tuesday.
- The Queensland premier has announced that disaster relief has been activated for five north Queensland councils.
- Ex-tropical cyclone Hayley caused damage in Western Australia, with winds of up to 158km/h and 132mm of rain recorded.
Introduction to the Floods
The recent monsoonal floods in far north Queensland have caused widespread damage and disruption to communities, with dozens of roads remaining closed and many areas isolated. The floods have also resulted in the loss of life, with a man in his 70s found dead in a submerged vehicle in the town of Normanton on Tuesday. The police and emergency services have been working tirelessly to respond to the crisis, with one officer showing particular courage by entering crocodile-filled waters to recover the deceased man.
The Courageous Efforts of the Police Officer
The officer’s actions have been praised by Mount Isa District Acting Supt Paul Austin, who described the effort as "very courageous". The officer entered the water to recover the deceased man from a submerged vehicle, despite the presence of large crocodiles in the area. Austin noted that the officer’s actions made it possible to retrieve the vehicle and the deceased man, and that it would have been a much more difficult operation without his bravery. The Queensland premier, David Crisafulli, also acknowledged the loss of the local man, describing it as "a deep tragedy for the North West community".
The Impact of the Floods
The floods have had a significant impact on the community, with many roads and bridges damaged or destroyed. The mayor of McKinlay shire, Janene Fegan, stated that it could be weeks before the full extent of the damage and stock losses is known. The severe rain has made it difficult for graziers to assess the damage, but it is expected to be significant. The Bureau of Meteorology has warned that isolated heavy falls of 100mm are possible in parts of the Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, North West and Central West districts, which could exacerbate the flooding.
Disaster Relief and Response
Disaster relief has been activated for five north Queensland councils, with the Queensland premier announcing that the focus remains on infrastructure, including roads and bridges. The premier noted that it is essential to ensure that people remain connected and that the community is supported during this difficult time. The emergency services are working to assess the damage and provide assistance to those affected, with the SES and police working together to respond to the crisis.
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Hayley
In Western Australia, emergency services are assessing the damage caused by ex-tropical cyclone Hayley, which crossed the Kimberley coast as a category three storm over the Dampier Peninsula on Tuesday. Winds of up to 158km/h were recorded, along with 132mm of rain, but there were no reports of major damage or injuries. The cyclone has brought an end to the severe weather conditions in the area, and the focus is now on cleaning up and restoring damaged infrastructure.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
The floods in far north Queensland have had a devastating impact on the community, with the loss of life and significant damage to infrastructure. The courageous efforts of the police officer who recovered the deceased man from the submerged vehicle are a testament to the bravery and selflessness of emergency services workers. As the community begins to recover and rebuild, it is essential that support is provided to those affected, and that measures are taken to prevent similar disasters in the future. The Bureau of Meteorology has warned that more rain is possible in the coming days, and it is crucial that the community remains vigilant and prepared for any further flooding.