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‘Dodged a bullet’: relief for city as floodwaters fall

North Queensland is bracing for more flooding. (Scott Radford-Chisholm/AAP PHOTOS)

By Savannah Meacham in Brisbane

A garrison city has “dodged a bullet” after floodwaters fell short of reaching their peak as a rain-soaked region prepares for a massive clean-up.

Record-breaking rain has lashed north Queensland for days, sparking floods that have cut power, damaged roads and forced hundreds to flee their homes.

However the Townsville community is breathing easier after the Ross River fell short of peaking at a major flood level on Tuesday morning.

It allayed fears that floodwaters would rival those that devastated the region in 2019, when two lives were lost and thousands of homes inundated.

“There is no doubt that the city has dodged a bullet,” Queensland Premier David Crisafulli told reporters in Townsville.

“If you reflect that nearly six years ago to the day, people were picking up the pieces, and to think that that, in many cases, has been spared is certainly a relief.”

People evacuated in Townsville’s “black zone” – spanning Hermit Park, Rosslea and Railway Estate – have still been urged not to return home until authorities say it is safe.

Floodwaters in Ingham are beginning to subside after the Herbert River rose beyond a 15.2m flood record set almost 60 years ago.

Mr Crisafulli remembered his parents reflecting on the devastation of the 1967 floods and how the town hoped it would never happen again.

“This event has proven that another one did come … the devastation is quite frankly, incredible,” he said.

The Ingham community is already reeling after a 63-year-old woman died when an SES boat helping people through floodwaters struck a tree and flipped on Sunday.

Recovery efforts will become the focus as flooding begins to recede, with widespread rainfall set to ease in coming days.

There is much to be done at Ingham where water levels remain at hip height, forcing authorities to seek help from the air.

The local hospital is back online but the Australian Defence Force is helping airlift generators to provide power and fuel supplies for services like the water treatment plant.

Authorities are also assessing how quickly it can repair the Ingham substation which was completely inundated.

Less than 10,000 homes across the north remain without power, with nearly three-quarters of those in Ingham.

Mr Crisafulli promised to stay on the ground in north Queensland to oversee the clean-up.

Joint state-federal government hardship payments have been made available to flood-hit regions.

“We stand shoulder to shoulder with … every Queenslander,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said during Tuesday’s Question Time.

“We have indicated that we, of course, provide whatever assistance is requested.”

After some areas copped more than a metre of rain, north Queensland is set to receive some relief.

“We’re seeing a general easing in conditions and the widespread rainfall that’s leading to life-threatening (flooding) and evacuations is now much more unlikely,” the Bureau of Meteorology’s Luke Shelley said.

Rain across the region eased on Monday afternoon with six-hour totals peaking at 50mm to 100mm rather than the 600mm totals of the weekend.

A severe weather warning is in place between Yabulu and Cardwell where there may be heavier rainfall.

Mr Shelley said most of the river levels were beginning to trend down despite rainfall forecast to continue for the next few days.

“Any additional rainfall over the coming days is likely to keep that steady, but not likely to exacerbate the situation,” he said.

Police have urged residents to heed warnings despite the wet weather seemingly easing.

“If you see a break in the weather, it doesn’t mean that it’s clear to go home,” Chief Superintendent Graeme Paine said.

Nearly 300 people are still in evacuation centres across Townsville and Ingham.

Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said there has been one reported looting offence in the region.

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