North Queensland floods live updates: first attempt to evacuate people from Wujal Wujal abandoned due to ‘big wall of water’

18/12/2023

Miles says efforts to rescue Queenslanders have been hampered by ongoing road closures and rough conditions.

An attempt was made to aerially evacuate Wujal Wujal today but unfortunately the rain and cloud was still too strong.

Another attempt is planned for 8am tomorrow.

The Bureau of Meteorology has officially cancelled the severe weather warning in the north of Queensland.

Miles says it remains “critical” residents remain alert for future updates.

In better news, safe, clean water has returned in Cairns [1], meaning patients will not have to be evacuated from the local hospital.

I know there are still many residents without power and for many, that will continue to be the main inconvenience of this impact … I know it’s frustrating.

With that, we will wrap the blog for the evening. Stay safe out there; we’ll be back first thing tomorrow with all the latest.

Here were today’s major stories:

The worst of the rainfall has eased in Queensland, but the rescue effort is far from over, with an evacuation planned for Wujal Wujal tomorrow and major flooding in waterways continuing. The ADF is on the ground, with hopes Cairns airport will reopen tomorrow to ferry supplies.
Among the rescues was a crocodile, spotted in floodwaters in the centre of Ingham, a rural town about 110km north of Townsville in Queensland [2].
Amid the floods, Queensland’s new cabinet was sworn in today, unveiled days after Steven Miles officially took over as the state’s 40th premier. In what was considered the state government’s biggest frontbench shake-up in nine years, five new ministers were ushered in.
A man is under police guard in hospital after the alleged fatal stabbing of a 29-year-old woman at the National Zoo in Canberra.

The body of the woman was found in a storeroom at a commercial kitchen at the venue. Police allege both worked at the zoo.
And New Zealand’s prime minister, Chris Luxon, is heading to Australia on Wednesday, meeting with Australia’s PM Anthony Albanese.

BoM releases Christmas Day forecast

Changing pace for a moment, and the Bureau of Meteorology has just published its initial forecasts for Christmas Day. It could be stormy for much of eastern Australia, including central and northern Queensland [3], while cloudy weather is expected for coastal New South Wales, including Sydney, and for Melbourne.

Here is a full breakdown.

Sydney: Cloudy, with a high chance of showers.

A minimum temperature of 19 degrees celsius and maximum temperature of 26.
Canberra: Partly cloudy, with a medium chance of showers. A minimum temperature of 13 degrees celsius and a maximum temperature of 24.
Brisbane: Partly cloudy, with a high chance of showers and the chance of a thunderstorm. A minimum temperature of 22 degrees celsius and a maximum of 32.
Darwin: Partly cloudy, with a chance afternoon shower or thunderstorm.

A minimum temperature of 28 degrees celsius and a maximum temperature of 36.
Perth: Partly cloudy, north-easterlies of 15 to 20 kilometers per hour. A minimum temperature of 21 degree celsius and a maximum temperature of 32.
Adelaide: Partly cloudy, southeasterlies of 20 to 30 kilometers per hour. A minimum temperature of 13 degrees celsius and maximum temperature of 24.
Melbourne: Partly cloudy, with the chance of a shower.

A minimum temperature of 15 degrees celsius and a maximum temperature of 21.
Hobart: Cloudy, with the chance of a shower. A minimum temperature of 11 degrees Celsius and a maximum temperature of 18.

The premier says damage assessments are yet to be made, however it could take a “long time” to get houses repaired.

No doubt this will be a very, very significant damage bill.

The hardship payments are already activated but we will be talking to the Australian government about further packages of assistance … we want to make sure those packages address the specific damage of the disaster.

And with that, the press conference wraps up.

To recap:

Evacuations are still occurring, with hundreds having taken place in the past 24 hours. One in Cooktown earlier today involved 15 people gathered on the roof of a hotel.
There have been no injuries and fatalities, however there has been significant damage to homes and power.
The evacuation for Wujal Wujal has been rescheduled to tomorrow.
The Daintree, Murray and Herbert rivers are still at a major flood level, while rainfall has eased in the state’s north.
Cairns airport will be inspected on Tuesday morning to see whether it is safe to reopen.

Clean water has been restored to the area.

BoM confirms Port Douglas, Cairns [4] and Cooktown have broken rainfall records for December

Port Douglas, Cairns and Cooktown have all broken previous rainfall records for December, the Bureau of Meteorology says.

The Daintree river peaked just below 15m, with the previous record at less than 13m.

At Cairns airport, while it wasn’t record breaking, flooding peaked above the 1977 level, peaking at 4.4m.

Rivers may start to rise again “very, very quickly” if rainfall continues.

Police confident Wujal Wujal residents will be safe overnight before evacuation

Police have been in contact with Wujal Wujal, and are confident residents will remain safe this evening. People directly in harm’s way, who were sheltering on roofs last night, have been evacuated.

Everyone remaining there is on higher ground and is safe, while some residents haven’t been impacted by floodwater.

We are working with the council there … to get them out. We’ve been advised some people will remain in town where they feel safe to do so.

There are no current reports of missing persons across the state.

Last night we performed 300 rescues in the northern beaches are and we know over 200 people self-evacuated … and today we’ve been performing significant rescues off roofs which will give you an indication of how terrible the weather has been.

We have isolated communities from Cooktown to Innisfail and we will be supporting those communities over a number of days.

Premier says Cairns [5] airport may be open by Tuesday morning, but does not confirm

Now to questions.

The premier says there are “some reports” Cairns airport will be open by Tuesday morning, which would allow resources to be transported from Townsville.

The airport currently remains closed, though water has receded and debris is being cleaned up. Any announcement on the airport opening will be made tomorrow.

Queenslanders warned of risk of infections during cleanup phase

Queensland’s health officer Dr John Gerrard is up. He has urged people to avoid walking through floodwaters and mud as much as possible.

Contaminated flood water and mud can carry a risk of infection.

If you’re involved in the cleanup that is to come, wear water resistant or enclosed footwear … wear protective gloves if handling soil, mud or surface water, wash thoroughly … wash your hands with soap and water or hand sanitiser … cover cuts, abrasions and wounds with a water resistant dressing.

In far north Queensland, Gerrard says there may be an increased risk of bacterial diseases, including leptospirosis, following exposure to floodwaters.

As mentioned earlier, some areas have been told to boil their drinking water.

Deputy Queensland [6] premier says 13,000 households remain without power after Cyclone Jasper

Around 90% of households that lost power due to Cyclone Jasper have been restored, deputy premier Cameron Dick says.

Yet as a result of the rain events, 45 communities across the state have lost power, impacting around 13,000 households.

The expectation to restore power by Tuesday can “no longer be met”, with “several additional days” expected.

A new restoration plan is being developed and we will update the public and the media as soon as we are able to do so.

There are hundreds of power crews ready and waiting for those waters to subside.

Emergency services warn risk remains real in Cyclone-hit north Queensland

Fire and emergency services are providing an update.

They acknowledge their gratitude for the communities’ “responsiveness and support” over the past few days.

This event is not over – the risk remains real.

The community needs to stay informed.

Damage and hazards remain despite receding waters, authorities say.

A police spokesperson says they’ve been in contact with the Ceo of Wujal Wujal, with “considerable plans” for the morning to conduct an evacuation of residents with the ADF.

The residents will be transported to Cooktown, with conditions hoped to ease.

Some 15 people were rescued from a hotel roof in Cooktown this afternoon, police say. Another helicopter is located at the Daintree.

Cairns has had no rainfall since 9am.

We are actively planning to transport food and medical supplies to the isolated communities.

Widespread heavy rainfall occurred in parts of FNQ from 14-18th December 2023. Many areas from Tully to Cape Melville had 400-1000 mm with localised falls of 1200-1600 mm between Cairns & Cooktown.

For maps of recent/past conditions: https://t.co/Iyz8GcsS2u pic.twitter.com/7YMPFPzV8y [7][8]

— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) December 18, 2023 [9]

There are now 105 people at evacuation centres, a decrease from more than 300 earlier today.

Police commissioner confirms no flood-related deaths or serious injuries recorded

Katarina Carroll, commissioner of the Queensland Police Service, says an “extraordinary effort” by emergency services and members of the public have taken place in the past 24 hours.

Thankfully to date there has been no deaths or serious injuries recorded.

One man in his 70s has died of a medical episode at a beach, not related to flooding.

The situation is still significant … if you don’t have to be on the roads, do not be on the roads. We are concerned about people being caught in flash flooding.

Always remember if it’s flooded – forget it.

BoM says intense rainfall expected to ease but ‘significant risk’ remains

The Bureau of Meteorology is providing an update. They say the widespread, intense rainfall is no longer being seen in the north of Queensland [10], with the trend of easing rain expected to continue.

But a “significant risk” of shower and storm remains, while not at the level of the past 24 hours.

Thunderstorm warnings will be issued through the evening as required.

A number of flood warnings still remain current, with declining trends.

?Major Flood Warning update for the Herbert River.

Major flooding easing at Halifax. Minor flooding continuing at Gleneagle and Abergowrie Bridge. Details: https://t.co/VqoD7Wc1Zr pic.twitter.com/pcTUaqeesD [11][12]

— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) December 18, 2023 [13]

Miles says efforts to rescue Queenslanders have been hampered by ongoing road closures and rough conditions.

An attempt was made to aerially evacuate Wujal Wujal today but unfortunately the rain and cloud was still too strong.

Another attempt is planned for 8am tomorrow.

The Bureau of Meteorology has officially cancelled the severe weather warning in the north of Queensland.

Miles says it remains “critical” residents remain alert for future updates.

In better news, safe, clean water has returned in Cairns [14], meaning patients will not have to be evacuated from the local hospital.

I know there are still many residents without power and for many, that will continue to be the main inconvenience of this impact …

I know it’s frustrating.

Official update on flooding in north Queensland [15] begins

Emergency services and officials are providing an update on the flooding in north Queensland now.

Speaking from Brisbane, the premier, Steven Miles, says there have been “incredible acts of bravery” in the past days.

He thanks first responders and “those good samaritans, those Queenslanders lending a hand, mate to mate” to rescue strangers and friends.

Firefighters working to contain NSW blaze near Narrabri

Over in New South Wales, firefighters are working to contain the spread of a blaze at Duck Creek Pilliga forest in the state’s north-west.

Emergency Warning: Duck Creek Pilliga Forest, (Narrabri LGA)Firefighters supported by aircraft continue to work to slow the spread of the fire and protect properties across a number of areas. For more information, visit: https://t.co/ceYIMDkWcw pic.twitter.com/TNbyZAq3tY [16][17]

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 18, 2023 [18]

An evacuation centre has been set up in the nearby town of Narrabri.

The bushfire has burnt more than 64,700 hectares and is out of control.

People at Bohena Creek have been urged to shelter now – it is too late to leave.

Embers will be blown long distances ahead of the main fire front starting spot fires, these may impact your home earlier than the main fire front.

Firefighters and water bombing aircraft are working in the area to protect properties and slow the spread of the fire.

Residents in Baan Baa, Willala and Goolhi have been urged to be aware of possible ember attacks which may start spot fires, while Jacks Creek and Wynella have been advised to stay alert and monitor surroundings.

Albanese suggests floods will have impact on mental health as well and urges people to seek support

Anthony Albanese tells ABC radio that “my heart goes out to people” who have been impacted by the flooding in north Queensland [19], saying the natural disaster will have an impact on mental health and encouraging those affected to access government support.

“It’s a reminder of the power of nature,” the PM said, of the mass flooding and rains.

Many people will require support for some time. I’d encourage them to reach out for support, not just in terms of financial support, but this will have an impact on people’s mental health.

People will be traumatised by the experience they’ve had.”

Albanese went on to praise the Queensland emergency authorities and the federal National Emergency Management Agency, as well as defence and local government workers.

At the most difficult of times, we see the best of the Australian character.

People digging deep, people taking some risk to themselves to help others.

References

^ Cairns (www.theguardian.com)
^ Queensland (www.theguardian.com)
^ Queensland (www.theguardian.com)
^ Cairns (www.theguardian.com)
^ Cairns (www.theguardian.com)
^ Queensland (www.theguardian.com)
^ https://t.co/Iyz8GcsS2u (t.co)
^ pic.twitter.com/7YMPFPzV8y (t.co)
^ December 18, 2023 (twitter.com)
^ Queensland (www.theguardian.com)
^ https://t.co/VqoD7Wc1Zr (t.co)
^ pic.twitter.com/pcTUaqeesD (t.co)
^ December 18, 2023 (twitter.com)
^ Cairns (www.theguardian.com)
^ Queensland (www.theguardian.com)
^ https://t.co/ceYIMDkWcw (t.co)
^ pic.twitter.com/TNbyZAq3tY (t.co)
^ December 18, 2023 (twitter.com)
^ Queensland (www.theguardian.com)