- Key Bruce Highway Bridge collapses from flood water
- Considerable rainfall expected until Wednesday
- Bob Katter has urged PM to send the army
A bridge that connects a large highway has collapsed to cut an important evacuation route, while flood water rises in North Queensland that causes widespread blackouts.
Floods have lowered electricity and damaged roads in the north, with an important Bruce Highway link – the Ollera Creek Bridge near Townsville – which collapses in the water on Sunday afternoon.
Residents between Cairns and Mackay have been warned to stay alert for rising water levels with considerable rainfall that is expected to beat the state until at least Wednesday.
“We see record -breaking rainfall in many locations,” Matt Collopy told Matt Collopy of Meteorology to reporters.
“There is a larger rain to come … So it will take days before that water comes out of those systems.”
Almost one meter of rain was recorded in Paluma Dam, Townsville in the last 48 hours, while Ingham has linked more than 400 mm the last day.
It is expected that flood water will continue to rise in Ingham, where the river centimeters is shy to reach the record of 15.2 million that the area destroyed.
Townsville's Ross River will also go further on Monday afternoon than the large flood level.
Part of the Bruce Highway – the Ollera Creek Bridge about halfway between Townsville and Ingham – has collapsed into furious flood water
Floodwaters will continue to rise with considerable rainfall expected until Wednesday
Local mayor Ramon Jayo described the collapse of the Ollera Creek Bridge as 'another disaster' for Ingham, which is without power after the substation was flooded – and independent parliament member Bob Kolder has called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to send the army.
The city has only five days of fresh water and has to rely on delivery drops via a helicopter.
There are several evacuation warnings for regions in the distant north with residents in Cardwell, Ingham and Townsville's 'Black Zone', Tension Cluden, Hermit Park, Idalia, Oonoonba, Railway Estate and Rosslea who are unable to return home.
There were 11 fast water rescuing and almost 400 calls for help for leaking ceilings, roof damage, floods, evacuations and fallen trees on Sunday evening.
Alderman of Townsville, Andrew Robinson, said that flood water would peak on Tuesday morning in the black zone, while more areas could be affected in the coming days.
“Mother nature, she can be quite fickle and it can turn into a dime,” he said.
There are currently more than 400 people in evacuation centers in Townsville, Ingham and Cardwell.
Almost 70 state schools are closed in the north, as well as 16 independent and 24 Catholic schools.
Residents of Noord -Veensland between Cairns and Mackay have been warned to remain alert for rising water levels
More than 11,000 Noord -Quenslanders remain without electricity after the stations of Ingham and Cardwell were eliminated due to flood water.
In the meantime, photos on social media have shown empty shelves in supermarkets in the north while fighting the emergency situation.
But Prime Minister Jarrod Bleijie has promised that there is six weeks of food supply in the North and stores will be supplemented.
The state government even picked up the managers of Coles in Ingham on weekends by a SES boat to open the stores and donate all food to evacuation centers.
“To see the images from the shop power coming, but half under water goes to the evacuation center is what the community spirit is all about,” he said on Monday.
Delivery options are available for people who are isolated in their homes, Mr Bleijie said.
More than 11,000 Noord -Quenslanders remain without electricity after the Ingham (photo) and Cardwell were eliminated for flood water
The Australian Defense Force also helps on the ground with evacuations with several extra aircraft, including Chinooks to be used on Monday to supply food in communities and carry out emergency work.
High cleaning defense vehicles are also stand -By.
The federal government is considering a request to expand hardships to the Cassowary and Burdekin, making it already available in Hinchinbrook, Palm Island, Townsville and Gordonvale.
