Three rescues as deluge hits flood-stricken Qld
Source: AAP
Three people have been rescued from surging Queensland floodwaters overnight in Clermont, about three hours south-west of Mackay.
Two men were plucked to safety after getting trapped on the roof of a truck on the Gregory Highway about 2.40am, while a third person was also rescued from another vehicle some hours later.
Two more people reportedly made their own way to safety after also being stuck on the roof of a car on the Gregory Highway about 7.40pm on Monday.
It follows huge falls in the region on Sunday night into Monday, with more than 200 millimetres in Clermont and 150 millimetres in Moranbah.
Weather bureau meteorologist Dean Narramore said more heavy falls of 50-150 millimetres were predicted in the warning area on Monday into Tuesday, bringing flash and riverine flooding and rapid river rises, particularly in areas that were already flooded.
You might like
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe weather warning for much of the central coast and Capricornia districts, extending inland into the central highlands and the coal fields of the Bowen Basin, as Queensland mops up following the impact of ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji.
The small highland community of Eungella, west of Mackay, is expected to be cut off for up to three months.
Aerial footage posted to social media showed the steep mountain road blocked by huge landslips, with the bitumen buckled and large sections having fallen away.
And while rain is extending into south-east Queensland, it was the north-west that is again most under threat.
Stay informed, daily
Narramore said widespread rain and storms would return to the area on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“Unfortunately we’re going to see another rain event through there, in the middle and latter part of this week,” he said.
“That’s not good news for residents and communities still recovering from ongoing flooding from that heavy rainfall we saw around the New Year period.”
Close to 50,000 stock are missing or presumed dead in the floods that have consumed the Gulf Country.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli thanked local communities for their preparation and resilience in the face of the event. He said the government was continuing to drop fodder and medical supplies for stricken animals, but warned that losses would increase.
“Those communities are so reliant on those grazing industries, and this is going to be a massive blow,” he said.
“There will be individuals who are impacted on a really large scale, and the prospect of more rain in the days and weeks ahead will send a shiver down their spine.”
-with AAP
