A North Queensland farming couple has been dramatically rescued from the roof of their home after the Gilbert River burst its banks, completely inundating their sorghum and hay farm with rapidly rising floodwaters. The owners of the Feral View property, located west of Georgetown in the state's remote northwest, were forced to abandon their dwelling as water levels surged with terrifying speed, leaving them stranded without electricity or mobile phone coverage.
Rapid Emergency Response Required
Warren Bethel, one of the property owners, described the frightening speed of the flood's arrival. "It just started coming in that quick, so we threw a few goods on the roof, chairs and an esky, a bit of food, and a gazebo," Bethel recounted. "By 4.30am we were on the roof." With conventional communication methods unavailable, Bethel utilised a UHF radio to broadcast a desperate distress call to emergency services.
Helicopter Rescue Operations Underway
A private helicopter eventually reached the isolated couple, part of a fleet of approximately half a dozen aircraft deployed to assist stranded property owners across the flood-affected region. Among those conducting critical emergency operations was pilot Lyn French from the Gilberton Outback Retreat, who has been performing evacuations, supply lifts, and food drops to those in urgent need.
Police helicopters managed to access the nearby community of Einasleigh by Wednesday morning, revealing widespread devastation throughout the area. Multiple rail bridges were completely submerged, vital roads were shredded by the powerful waters, and at least eight homes suffered significant flood damage.
Historic Flood Levels Recorded
Local resident Skye Flanagan discovered calf-deep water had invaded her property, leaving thick mud smeared across interior floors. "I don't think anyone anticipated it would rise this high. And it came up really, really, really quick," she explained. The flooding proved so severe that the century-old Einasleigh Hotel experienced water reaching bar stool height, an exceptionally rare occurrence for the historic establishment.
Communities Face Extended Isolation
The Bureau of Meteorology has confirmed the region is experiencing its highest flood levels since approximately 1974 across multiple river systems. Meteorologist Harry Clark warned that the torrents of water are now flowing downstream toward Gulf Country communities already isolated by existing flooding. "We'll start seeing those waters flow towards our Gulf Country communities that have already been isolated due to existing flooding for quite an extended period," Clark stated, indicating these areas could potentially remain cut off for several weeks.
As emergency services continue their response operations, residents and authorities are bracing for the ongoing impact of these unprecedented floodwaters across North Queensland's agricultural heartland.
