The Queensland premier has praised “incredible acts of bravery” in the state’s far north, where some communities remain cut off by flood waters and are “desperate” for military intervention as their supplies run low.
Hundreds of people have already been evacuated – including 15 people who gathered on a hotel roof – with 150 ADF personnel and four military helicopters providing assistance to the region as it recovers from ex-Cyclone Jasper.
A severe weather warning for intense rainfall has now been lifted, but authorities warn the danger from flood waters has not passed and that the clean-up bill will be “very, very significant”.
The worst of the rainfall has eased, but the rescue effort is far from over, with an evacuation planned for Wujal Wujal on Tuesday and major flooding in waterways continuing. The ADF is on the ground, with hopes Cairns airport will reopen tomorrow to ferry supplies.
The premier, Steven Miles, has also urged people to be wary of crocodiles swimming through local streets. An almost-3-metre reptile was rescued from a flooded creek with a harpoon in the town of Ingham, next to a petrol station and pie shop.
“We have seen incredible acts of bravery continuing today, with families saved from rooftops and locals lending a hand to look after their neighbours,” Miles said. “We’ve had reports of people using mustering choppers and fishing boats to rescue strangers.”
The state’s health officer, Dr John Gerrard, has warned that contaminated flood waters could lead bacterial diseases including leptospirosis, which can bring fever, severe headache, sore muscles, chills, vomiting and red eyes.
“If you’re involved in the cleanup that is to come, wear water-resistant or enclosed footwear,” Gerrard said. “Wash your hands with soap and water or hand sanitiser. Cover cuts, abrasions and wounds with a water-resistant dressing.”
On Monday, helicopters were unable to reach the Indigenous community of Wujal Wujal, whose 280 residents must all be evacuated. Nine people in the community, including a child, spent Sunday night trapped on the roof of the local health clinic to escape the rising flood waters.
A second evacuation mission will be launched on Tuesday morning, with assistance from the Australian defence force. The council has sent a message to locals urging them to “hang in there” until help arrives.
Cairns airport remains closed after more than 2 metres of rain fell in less than a week. Authorities are hopeful it may reopen on Tuesday to allow supplies to be flown into the region.
The town’s 150,000 residents have been asked to only use water for emergency purposes due to a damaged treatment plant. About 13,000 households across the state of Queensland have lost power with residents told it may be days until it is restored.
“Emergency use is drinking only,” the Cairns mayor, Terry James, said. “Try not to, unfortunately, flush your toilets. Grab some rain from outside to flush the toilet if need be.”
Queensland’s police commissioner, Katarina Carroll, said no deaths or serious injuries had been reported as a result of the flood and urged people not to drive on flooded roads, which can lead to fatalities.
In the 24 hours before the warning was lifted, emergency services received an average of more than 40 requests for help each hour. Some residents were rescued in inflatable rafts, floating metres above roads.
On Monday evening, the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said helicopter support had been delayed after a fleet was grounded due to safety issues.
“It has been difficult to get people on the ground and, of course, there were some issues with safety with some of the helicopters, which would have been normally used and are, of course, grounded post the tragedy that occurred in the Whitsundays,” Albanese told the ABC.
The emergency management minister, Murray Watt, said it may be necessary to accept assistance from New Zealand to help keep communities safe and rebuild.
“It wouldn’t surprise me at all if we do end up seeing support from New Zealand and if there is a need for their assistance I’m sure we’ll be pleased to take it up,” Watt said on Monday.
The Douglas shire council mayor, Michael Kerr, said the community around Mossman was “desperate” for immediate military aid, with many residents lacking power and water and in need of urgent evacuation.
“We do not have resources to deal with it,” he said.
“We are desperate for military intervention to sort this situation out. We’ve had communities with no water for nearly 24 hours. We’ve got other areas who have no power or communications now for four or five days.”
