Authorities responded to a call around 3 p.m. yesterday regarding a vehicle caught in floodwaters on Gulf Development Road in Normanton, located in the north-western part of the state.
Upon arrival, police discovered a car submerged in the water, with the body of a man in his 70s inside. The incident is not being considered suspicious, and officials have stated that a report will be prepared for the coroner.
This tragic event coincides with the region enduring unprecedented rainfall for the fourth consecutive day. The severe weather has led to landslides, extensive flooding, and the closure of over 30 roads by yesterday afternoon.
While meteorologists predict that rainfall will lessen today, the Bureau of Meteorology has cautioned that totals could still reach up to 220mm in Townsville and 100mm in the western parts of the state over the next 24 hours.
In response to the crisis, Premier David Crisafulli announced the provision of disaster relief for the regions impacted by the relentless weather.
Premier David Crisafulli yesterday announced disaster relief for the affected areas.
“We have two main concerns and that is roads and the impact on agriculture,” he said.
“There could be some significant stock loss. We stand ready to be able to provide fodder if that is required.”
Further north, between Cairns and Townsville, South Mission Beach has now recorded 850mm of rain from the current monsoon storm system.
That’s expected to exceed a metre before the system moves on.
“A tropical low embedded in the monsoon trough across the northwest will linger for the next few days whilst slowly weakening,” the bureau said.
“The position of the trough will fluctuate over coming days whilst it slowly weakens, and will most likely be located between Cooktown and Townsville.”
Queensland Police Minister Daniel Purdie said yesterday authorities were already in position to help with the response to the weather event.
“We’ve put senior police into Richmond, Mount Isa and Ingham with some support staff to help the coordination of this response,” he said.
“With the fire department, we’ve 37 expert swift water rescue crews have been pre-positioned, coupled with air assets from the fire department ready to help.”
Crisafulli also said he was confident the state was in a good position to handle the disaster and recovery.
“I want to give people assurance that we’ve done a lot of work to pre-prepare for the disaster season,” he said.
“That really puts us in good stead and I am very confident about the way that we can handle events, both this one and in the future.”
