Severe flooding in northern Queensland has wreaked "incredible" havoc on local communities, according to Premier David Crisafulli. Despite easing weather conditions, the aftermath of the disaster poses significant challenges for recovery. Thousands of evacuees are anticipated to return to their homes on Tuesday, although fears persist regarding the fate of numerous residences and businesses engulfed by the floodwaters. "It's a disaster that's going to test the resolve of people," Crisafulli remarked in an interview with ABC.
Since Saturday, parts of the region have experienced relentless downpours, accumulating nearly 2 meters (6.5 feet) of rain, leading to continued warnings and blackouts. However, in Townsville, residents greeted the morning with only light drizzle and relief that foreseen flooding levels did not materialize, contrasting sharply with the intense rains observed earlier. The improving weather conditions suggest that six suburbs, previously under evacuation advisories, may have narrowly avoided dire consequences, as the Premier noted that forecasts had initially put 1,700 homes at risk.
Further north in Queensland, the situation remains grim as communication is poor and many roads are heavily damaged, complicating damage assessment efforts in towns such as Ingham and Cardwell. Crisafulli, who has personal ties to Ingham, expressed concern over the devastating imagery surfacing from those areas, stating, "I've seen images of water in businesses that never in my wildest dreams thought I'd see water in shops there in the high part of town." The situation is compounded by over 8,000 properties currently without power, as critical highways continue to suffer from partial collapses, obstructing relief efforts in the most affected regions. Acknowledging the long road ahead, Crisafulli confirmed that recovery would be a slow and ongoing process.
