Queensland and Northern Territory towns are being warned to prepare for major flooding as multiple tropical lows across northern Australia unleash a deluge.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a flood watch covering most of Queensland, with major flood warnings in place across several river catchments including the Flinders, Georgina and Thomson rivers and the Eyre and Cooper creeks.
A tropical low northeast of Cairns was expected to cross the coast near Innisfail on Friday, bringing the risk of widespread heavy rain, before moving south-west into central and southeastern Queensland at the weekend.
In the Northern Territory, authorities warned houses and roads in low-lying areas could be inundated after rapid river rises in the Daly and Katherine catchments, associated with another tropical low east of Katherine. Major flood warnings were current for the Katherine, Waterhouse and Daly rivers, with elevated water levels expected across multiple creeks and rivers. More rain was on the way, with the bureau issuing a heavy rainfall warning for 6-hourly falls of 90 to 140mm.
Cecelia Gore from NT Health said the main Katherine hospital was being evacuated – including 21 patients and up to 20 pregnant women - as it could be cut off. An emergency department was being established at the St John Ambulance headquarters in Katherine, she said.
The Stuart Highway was closed due to flooding on either side of the Katherine township, and emergency warnings have been issued for Katherine, Wugularr (Beswick) and Nitmiluk.
Several places had received record amounts of March rain in the 24-hours to 9am Friday, including 230mm at Edith Falls Ridge, about 60km north of Katherine and 218mm at Upper Ferguson River, according to the BoM.
“There was a bit of panic this morning,” said the mayor of Katherine Town Council, Joanna Holden. “But I just came through town and stopped to talk to a few people. Those people have got their supplies, they’ve got a plan in place and they’re feeling prepared.”
“Katherine is a very resilient community. We will say to people, keep an eye out for their neighbours, keep an eye out for your mates, check in on other community members. If something happens, we will all get through this together.”
Far north Queensland residents were also told to seek higher ground with warnings of severe weather and heavy rain on the way.
Police issued a flood emergency warning for the Daintree River at 9.30pm on Thursday, saying flash flooding was occurring and residents should move to safety.
Significant amounts of rain fell overnight in areas near the Daintree river, north of Cairns with 467mm recorded at Yandal, 364mm at Strathbogie and 292mm at Daintree Village, in the 24 hours to 9am Friday.
In other areas, sandbag stations were in place on Friday morning with heavy rain, flooding and damaging winds forecast on Friday as the tropical low tracks north-east of Cairns.
The Daintree ferry came loose from its moorings in the wild conditions. Council and emergency crews planned to attempt to retrieve the vessel once conditions allow, said Douglas shire’s mayor, Lisa Scomazzon.
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“We ask for everyone’s patience and understanding as we continue to deal with a major flooding event that is affecting the entire region,” she said.
The “disconnected” tropical low was likely to reach the coast by Friday afternoon between Cairns and Townsville before moving south-west into central Queensland at the weekend, the Bureau of Meteorology’s Angus Hines said.
The Cassowary Coast mayor, Teresa Millwood, said emergency services were ready to deploy in Innisfail and Cardwell, and sandbag stations were ready if people needed them.
Residents had been advised to have their emergency plans in place, stock up on supplies and be ready to leave before their homes flooded, she said.
“You never know until it actually happens, but we’re prepared,” she said. “Basically, we just sit back and wait now.”
Hinchinbrook shire’s mayor, Ramon Jayo, said his community had been warned to expect heavy rain and high winds.
“We’ve got a load coming at us … but we’re ready,” he said.
“We just got rid of a major flood last Monday and we’re lining up again for some more flooding.”
The usual warnings about flood waters had gone out to residents who knew the drill, he said.
“They’re restocking their pantries in case they are stranded for a period of time due to flood water.”
Heavy falls were expected to continue over north Queensland but also to potentially stretch down through the central coast, Capricornia and into the Wide Bay region, around Bundaberg and Hervey Bay.
The impacts could also be felt in south-east Queensland at the weekend, according to bureau senior meteorologist, Angus Hines , with residents were asked to keep track of forecasts, especially for rain on Sunday.
Up to 50mm of rain was forecast for areas including Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, the Gold Coast and the Darling Downs.
The tropical low was one of four currently spread across northern Australia. One system, named tropical low 30U, located off the Kimberley coast had a moderate chance of becoming a cyclone over the weekend.
