Far North Queensland is once again facing severe weather conditions, as heavy rainfall and flooding threaten key freight routes. On March 18, 2025, a torrential downpour began early in Townsville, with some regions recording staggering rainfall amounts, surpassing 200mm in less than 24 hours. The floods have directly impacted major transport arteries, including the Bruce Highway, which is closed between Cardwell and Ingham. Moderate flood warnings are now in effect for the Herbert, Bohle, Ross, and Black rivers, as well as Bluewater Creek, raising concerns for local residents and the economy.
This latest round of severe weather follows a challenging beginning to 2025 for Queensland, which has already suffered significant disruptions due to past flooding events. In February, the northern areas of the state were completely cut off from the rest of the country, as major flooding rendered key routes impassable. Just weeks prior to the current downpour, more than 250,000 homes in southeastern Queensland and northern New South Wales lost power due to the effects of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, causing extensive infrastructure damage.
To add to the growing concerns, Townsville's acting mayor, Ann-Maree Greaney, expressed the emotional toll of the ongoing crisis. “We are exhausted... it is that sense of, ‘oh gosh, here we go again’ and it is emotionally draining,” she stated, highlighting the community’s fatigue following the back-to-back natural disasters. The rainfall recorded on March 19 alone was recorded as 297mm at Picnic Bay, 284mm at Bluewater, and 242mm at Townsville, inundating roads and causing knee-deep flooding.
Emergency services have been active in the region, responding to critical situations as they arise. A commendably swift response from local police led to the rescue of a 76-year-old man caught in rising floodwaters. The elderly man fell while navigating the treacherous conditions and suffered a minor cut to his knee; he was promptly assisted by police and later taken home, where he received further medical attention.
Despite some improvement in flood conditions, many roads remain closed due to damages, including landslips reported in Paluma and Giru. Meanwhile, local authorities continue to remind residents to conserve water as Townsville’s sewage system, overwhelmed by the impact of the rains, reaches capacity. Although fresh reports of home inundations have not surfaced, there are indications that some properties have had sewage-related issues, further complicating the community's recovery.
In the nearby town of Bluewater, residents are bracing for the creek's potential rise, deploying sandbags in anticipation of further flooding. “We were expecting rain, but we probably weren't expecting such a heavy deluge this morning,” remarked Cr Greaney, reflecting on the unexpected nature of the rainfall.
The severe weather warning currently in place stretches across the Herbert and Lower Burdekin regions, with projections indicating rainfall totals could exceed 190 mm on March 19, 2025. With key thoroughfares impacted, the Bruce Highway remains closed amid overwhelming floodwaters.
The community of Ingham is still recovering from the devastating February floods, which resulted in two fatalities and significant infrastructure damage. Consequently, the Ingham area is now on high alert, especially with flood warnings issued across the Herbert, Bohle, and Ross Rivers. The scenario is tense, with residents and officials preparing for possible additional flooding as heavy rainfall is expected to continue into March 20 but easing by March 21.
A longstanding disaster recovery effort is also in progress throughout Queensland's southeastern region. The Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, announced that approximately $80 million in disaster relief payments has been allocated to support recovery efforts across both southeastern Queensland and northern New South Wales. “Claims are being processed within 24 hours,” Albanese confirmed, as Service Australia personnel diligently handle up to 6000 inquiries daily related to the cyclone's aftermath.
Authorities are urging those in affected areas to stay informed about the latest weather updates and road conditions. For residents and motorists navigating flood-impacted regions, safety remains a top priority, and local updates are crucial to ensuring a safe response to the evolving situation.
As communities prepare once again for the forces of nature, the resilience of the people of Far North Queensland is under scrutiny, highlighting the ongoing challenges they face as they strive to recover and rebuild.
