Authorities are urgently warning residents of North Queensland to take shelter as devastating floods impact towns and cities across the region. Torrential rains over the last week have led to widespread flooding, with reports indicating hundreds of millimetres falling within 24 hours. The situation has prompted emergency services to issue warnings for evacuations, particularly for the Hinchinbrook Shire north of Townsville.
At around 4:30 AM Queensland time on Sunday, February 2, 2025, the Bureau of Meteorology declared, “Dangerous flooding happening now,” specifying imminent danger at the Abergowrie Bridge where water levels had already reached 16.15 metres, surpassing the major flood threshold of 14 metres. Residents have been alerted to prepare for potentially life-threatening conditions, with projections indicating water levels could peak at around 17 metres shortly after.
The town of 5,000 residents, located about 100km north of Townsville, has been isolated by floodwaters, severely affecting access and safety. Premier David Crisafulli, himself originally from the affected town, has issued urgent directives for residents to evacuate by midday if they reside within the flood plain areas of Townsville. “Flooding above ground floor level is likely in some places,” caution the Townsville City Council and meteorologists alike, urging those within lower-lying suburbs to leave quickly.
The weather continues to wreak havoc across the state, with significant rainfalls reported at Paluma Dam (620mm), Rollingstone (572mm), and Bluewater (365mm) since Saturday morning alone. Communities from Cardwell to Ayr have been identified as being at high risk for additional flooding, as the Bureau of Meteorology warns of cumulative three-day totals exceeding 1000mm.
On the ground, emergency services have been proactive, door-knocking and urging residents to evacuate, particularly addressing areas designated as “black zones.” These areas are identified as being at higher risk for severe flooding, where individuals face the possibility of becoming trapped due to rising waters. Reports confirm authorities are taking action to set up evacuation centres, with one now operating at Heatley. Deputy Coordinator Shane Chelepy emphasized, “This is a very serious and dangerous event and I believe the next 24 hours will be pivotal.”
While the north struggles with intense rainfall and flooding, the southern regions of Australia are facing starkly different weather conditions, with many areas under severe heatwave warnings. Conditions are expected to soar above 38 degrees Celsius across various regions, contrasting sharply with the turmoil seen up north.
The current severe weather pattern has been exacerbated by two tropical low-pressure systems influencing rainfall patterns, though these systems are not expected to escalate to cyclone status. Meteorologists highlight the anomalous cyclone-like rainfall totals contributing to the dangerous flooding without requiring the formal designation of tropical cyclones. Senior meteorologist Dean Narramore noted, “We could even be talking about places receiving over one metre of rainfall over the next few days.”
Premier Crisafulli reiterated the importance of taking warnings seriously, stating, “Your safety is more important than anything else, and we’re asking you to leave by midday if you’re in one of those affected areas.” This echo of urgency reflects local authorities' concerns as the water continues to rise, risking inundation of properties and widespread infrastructure damage.
Adding pressure to the situation, Governor Crisafulli reminded citizens about the history of flooding following devastating events reminiscent of 1967 when flood levels reached 15.2 metres. “It’s at 14.8 metres and still rising,” he pointed out, indicating the precarious state of the current situation.
The local disaster management group has declared the need for preemptive measures, urging overdue evacuations to guarantee civilian safety. Daryl Camp, SES Northern Region Director, highlighted how this period may not merely be from the rain but also includes the compounded challenges from homes already affected by prior weather events, stating, “This could be a three-to-four-week marathon; it’s not a sprint.”
Although no lives have been lost or persons reported missing at this stage, authorities remain vigilant as the potential for rapid escalation of the crisis looms due to forecasted weather conditions. Emergency personnel are poised for action, with additional police and defence resources deployed to assist residents throughout the flooding crisis.
Community resilience will be tested as the floodwaters continue to rise and authorities predict treacherous conditions will persist for some time. With more rain on the horizon, the focus remains on ensuring safety, effective evacuation, and recovery planning for the impacted communities.