One dead in Ingham flood waters as Townsville ‘black zone’ suburbs urged to evacuate

Residents in low-lying parts of Townsville have been ordered to leave their homes by midday amid concerns that flood waters could reach “second-storey level” as heavy rainfall continues to batter north Queensland.
The premier, David Crisafulli, confirmed on Sunday that one person has died in Ingham, north of Townsville, where river levels are predicted to reach the record set during floods in 1967.
Authorities have declared a “black zone” covering six Townsville suburbs near the Ross River: Railway Estate, Hermit Park and Rosslea on the northern bank and Idalia, Cluden and Oonoonba to the south.
Most of the concern comes from predictions of severe heavy rainfall on Sunday, including the potential for 300mm in less than six hours. Downpours have been consistent for days, and the Ross River dam above the city is already at 142% of its normal capacity.
Speaking to the ABC on Sunday morning, the Queensland premier, David Crisafulli, said about 170 crews had been door-knocking in Townsville, urging people to prepare.
“I am asking people to heed this,” Crisafulli said. “Your safety is more important than anything else.
“Some of the falls that we saw overnight in different parts were, quite frankly, at incredible levels. One suburb got 620mm in the 20 hours to 6am. That is over 0.5 metres of water in less than a day. That should give you a perspective of how big it is.”
The same areas were severely inundated during flooding in February 2019. In some places flood waters reached 2m high, and many people, particularly in Hermit Park, attempted to wait out the emergency in raised Queenslander-style houses.
The Townsville Local Disaster Management Group said flood waters could go higher this time.
“Flooding to second-storey floors is possible. Single-storey buildings could be fully flooded. It may become too dangerous for emergency services to rescue you,” the group said in a statement.
“Go now to a safe place away from flood-affected areas, ideally at a friend or family’s home. Lock windows and doors before you leave home.”
The chair of the disaster management group, Andrew Robinson, said on Sunday that some residents had chosen to stay behind.
“The majority [have] evacuated. Some were long-term residents who had gone through the 2019 floods and had elected to stay,” Robinson said.
“I would ask them to reconsider. They’re going to be without power. Consider your safety first.
“If you’re in the black zone get out now, it’s as simple as that.”
Crisafulli said he had heard “some comparisons” made by people to the 2019 floods but warned residents they should not be complacent in the belief that event – the worst in 120 years – could not be repeated.
“There is more rain to come,” he said. “Take those precautions, prepare for the worst.”
Authorities have as a precaution taken the electricity substation at Ingham offline, which Crisafulli said would hinder support efforts.
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Authorities have also issued an emergency warning for Cardwell, north of Townsville. They say flooding is already occurring in low-lying areas of the township and may spread.
“Residents in low-lying areas should collect their evacuation kit and move to a safe place on higher ground. This situation may pose a threat to life and property,” an emergency alert said.
An alert has also been issued for the Hinchinbrook shire, but people there have been advised to stay in place for the time being.
“Get up as high as you can where you are. There is dangerous flooding,” the alert said.
Cyclonic-like rain totals have lashed Townsville and surrounding areas, with some places receiving more than 600mm over the past 24 hours.
The falls come after isolated seven-day totals of more than 900mm hammered the north tropical coast.
The Bureau of Meteorology said the weekend rainfall could lead to flooded homes, businesses and properties; landslides and further road closures.
“We’ve seen torrential rainfall continue across the Herbert and lower Burdekin and parts of north tropical coast, with widespread falls of 200mm to 300mm, with isolated falls in excess of that,” the senior meteorologist, Dean Narramore, said.
“We could even be talking about places in excess of one metre over the next few days. That is an incredible amount of rainfall.”
Authorities have deployed further resources to the state’s north, with the Australian Defence Force assisting on the ground.
“The next 24 hours, it is absolutely critical that you listen to emergency services and stay alive to the alerts,” state disaster coordinator Shane Chelepy said.
“We are dealing with a dual event here.
“We are dealing with flash flooding from the heavy rain, but we are now seeing impacts from those major riverine systems, which will bring riverine flooding into those communities.”