<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>337884</docID> <postdate>2025-02-08 13:18:03</postdate> <headline>Deluge persists for flood-stricken residents</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-337885" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/far-noth-queensland-flooding.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="600" /></p> <caption>Residents in already water-logged areas in North Queensland are in for another rain lashing. Photo: Queensland Fire Department</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Fraser Barton</strong> and <strong>Adrian Black</strong> in Brisbane</span></p> <p><strong>Heavy rains are set to continue in central and north Queensland after near-record flooding that inundated towns and required defence force assistance.</strong></p> <p>The weather bureau has issued severe weather warnings from Tully to Aire, with rainfall totals up to and exceeding 250mm forecast for Townsville, Rolling Stone, Cardwell and Halifax.</p> <p>"This rain is falling on to saturated land, meaning it will quickly run off and top up the already swollen rivers," Bureau senior meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said.</p> <p>"This means that moderate rainfall totals could cause swift river rises and could lead to dangerous flooding conditions."</p> <p>More rain is expected on Sunday and into early next week.</p> <p>Major flood warnings remain in place for the Herbert, Burdekin, Houghton, Flinders and Cape rivers, and multiple flood warnings are current in northeast and northern inland Queensland.</p> <p>Heavy rains will also reach parts of the NT, with more than 100mm rainfall expected at Baileys Grave, while severe storms are also expected to reach southeast NSW, the ACT and northeast Victoria.</p> <p>The week of heavy rains in Queensland has cut power to communities, forced hundreds to evacuate and required the Australian Defence Force to erect a temporary bridge to get crucial supplies to Ingham after the town's arterial bridge washed away.</p> <p>The state's premier David Crisafulli commended the efforts of emergency services and the defence force.</p> <p>"Nothing fills me with more pride than to see the emergency services from throughout the state and throughout the country mobilising in North Queensland's hour of need," he told reporters in Townsville.</p> <p>"It's going to be a long recovery, but north Queenslanders need to know that the state has got your back and we'll continue to do all we can to reconnect you to normality."</p> <p>The premier said he would request federal support to elevate bridges above likely flood levels along the Bruce Highway.</p> <p>"We'll be putting forward that betterment package ... (so) residents don't have to be at the mercy of a flimsy bridge," Mr Crisfulli said.</p> <p>More than 2000 homes have been reconnected to the grid, but around 4500 were still without power on Saturday afternoon.</p> <p>The Whitsunday Coast airport cancelled all flights on Friday due to forecast heavy rainfall.</p> <p>High weekend totals and another severe weather warning is a hammer blow to residents who have begun returning to their inundated homes.</p> <p>Personal belongings, vehicles, farming equipment and homes have been damaged or destroyed by flash flooding.</p> <p>Disaster payments have become available for affected residents, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announcing an $8 million community relief fund.</p> <p>The damage bill for north Queensland remains to be seen but insurers have received over 4000 storm and flood related claims with more expected.</p> <p>Residents in north Queensland are urged to monitor the latest bureau warnings and updates from emergency services.</p> </body>