<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>337770</docID> <postdate>2025-02-07 15:25:28</postdate> <headline>Airport closes as flood-hit region braces for more rain</headline> <body><p><img class=" wp-image-337771" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/20250206179359154728-original-1.jpg" alt="" width="1020" height="680" /></p> <caption>A new wave of monsoonal rains could hit flood-ravaged areas in Northern Qld in the coming days. (Adam Head/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p class="wire-column__preview__author"><span class="kicker-line">By <b>Savannah Meacham</b> in Townsville</span></p> <p><strong>An airport has closed as a flood-hit region braces for more heavy rainfall, with severe weather and a possible cyclone on the horizon.</strong></p> <p>There is no relief in sight for a sodden north Queensland after enduring a week of wet weather that has cut power, forced hundreds to evacuate their homes and claimed two lives.</p> <p>A severe weather warning was issued on Friday, with heavy rainfall forecast for Tully down to Ayr on the tropical north coast that was set to extend into the weekend.</p> <p>Locals were warned the weather may bring "dangerous and life threatening flash flooding", with daily rainfall totals of up to 250mm predicted across the region.</p> <p>Authorities have scrambled to bolster the area, sending extra police, boats and water rescue crews to Mackay and the Whitsundays.</p> <p>A new centre of operation has been set up in the Mackay district to help bolster the disaster response to an area spanning as far as Townsville, almost 400km away.</p> <p>The Whitsunday Coast Airport looked set to be closed on Friday with passengers reportedly evacuated from the building as severe weather loomed.</p> <p>"Due to the high potential for road closures to the Whitsunday Coast Airport and further heavy rain forecast, all flights today ... have been cancelled," the <a href="https://disaster.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au/">airport said on social media.</a></p> <p>More rain was not what local residents needed after floodwater levels had finally begun to recede, allowing supermarkets to be restocked and progress on clearing the main arterial Bruce Highway.</p> <p>Queensland Premier David Crisafulli conceded the wet weather ahead would further test flood-hit locals' resilience.</p> <p>"These communities are already hurting. They have been through a lot in the last week, and unfortunately, there's more to come," he said in Townsville on Friday.</p> <p>After a slight reprieve, the region copped another drenching overnight which led to flash flooding in Townsville.</p> <p>The garrison city has copped 142mm in the past day, while further south the Burdekin region recorded 221mm.</p> <p>There is more to come, with Townsville and Mackay set to cop the brunt of heavy rainfall set to escalate from Friday.</p> <p>Over the weekend showers are set to dump up to 300mm between Tully and Ayr, the Bureau of Meteorology warned.</p> <p>"We are in for a couple of rough days," Acting Townsville Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney said.</p> <p>Flooding isn't the only threat for Townsville residents.</p> <p>The local council warned on Friday the heavy rain had "displaced" wildlife, asking residents to be mindful when they return to the inundated homes after a string of snake bite complaints.</p> <p>A tropical low is also expected to develop in the Coral Sea off the Queensland coast on Saturday which the bureau warned had a low chance of becoming a cyclone.</p> <p>However, it is expected to move east from the mainland over the weekend.</p> <p>A number of flood warnings are in place from the far north's Cairns to Saint Lawrence in central Queensland.</p> <p>Ingham has been one of the worst hit with floodwaters cutting power for almost a week, affecting food supply and claiming the lives of two women.</p> <p>Power has been restored and the army helped construct a temporary crossing on the collapsed Ollera Creek Bridge , which will initially be open for emergency services to deliver critical supplies, with tradies set to enter on Friday.</p> </body>