Record rainfall in Australia’s northeast has caused deadly floodwaters to rise for a third consecutive day, prompting authorities to warn communities of further destruction. One person drowned on Sunday, and thousands of residents in low-lying coastal areas are under evacuation orders after nearly a summer’s worth of rain fell in just a few days.
The impacted areas stretch along the Queensland coast from Cairns to Mackay, with Townsville, Ingham, and Cardwell among the worst-hit by flash floods and overflowing rivers. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli described the devastation in Ingham as significant, affecting homes, businesses, and agriculture.
