Two severe weather warnings remain in place across north Queensland as floodwaters continue to cut off roads and threaten communities. The Bureau of Meteorology reports that parts of north-west Queensland have received close to their annual average rainfall in just one week, with the tropical low expected to weaken and move south from Wednesday.
Flooding is expected to increase on Tuesday as heavy rain drenches hundreds of kilometres from the tropical east coast to the outback. Three flood-related rescues have already occurred in western Queensland, including an incident where a man and his two dogs became stranded between flooded rivers and creeks.
Disaster assistance has been activated for five councils—Carpentaria, Cloncurry, Flinders, McKinlay, and Richmond—under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements to cover emergency road repairs, essential public assets, and counter-disaster operations. The Queensland premier, David Crisafulli, has convened the state disaster management committee but noted the event appears less severe than the 2019 floods.
Crisafulli highlighted concerns for roads and agriculture, stating that 37 roads across the state are closed in sections. Key routes including the Kennedy Development Road, Gregory Developmental Road, Diamantina, Gulf, and Burke Development Roads are all affected. The Bruce Highway, previously cut at Seymore, has reopened but remains tidal and could close again.
Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said rail lines in the north and north-west may be closed for several days, with the Mount Isa line closed between Hughenden and Cloncurry due to 40 kilometres of underwater track. Passenger services on the northern and western lines have been cancelled, though freight trucks with food supplies were dispatched before the weather event.
State disaster coordinator Chris Stream noted the risk has reduced on the tropical coast, but rivers including the Mulgrave, Herbert, Tully, and Bohle remain a concern. The SES conducted multiple call-outs overnight, assisting with tarping, sandbagging, and fallen trees, while power outages affect hundreds in Far North Queensland.
