Up To 39" Of Rain In North Queensland In 48 Hours; Up To Another 20" On The Way; 1,000s Evacuated

A major flooding event is underway in northern Queensland, including areas like Hinchinbrook Shire (population 11 000) and parts of Townsville (population 198 140) after a low-pressure system brought massive rainfall in a short period, prompting Queensland’s State Emergency Service (SES) to urge residents to gather their evacuation kits and move to higher ground immediately.

Multiple areas have now received over 500 mm (19.7 inches) of rain since Saturday morning, adding to significant rainfall since Friday. Rollingstone recorded 999 mm (39.3 inches) in the 48 hours leading up to 09:00 LT on Sunday, February 2. During the same period, Deeragun received 666 mm (26.2 inches), Ingham 662 mm (26.1 inches), Saunders Creek 655 mm (25.8 inches), Townsville 545 mm (21.5 inches), and Ayr 402 mm (15.8 inches).

In the 24 hours leading up to 09:00 LT on Sunday, Paluma Dam, north of Townsville, recorded 712 mm (28 inches) of rain. Rollingstone received 639 mm (25.2 inches) during this period while Bluewater recorded 378 mm (14.9 inches). Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) senior forecaster Dean Narramore warned that north Queensland is facing a “flood disaster.” Areas under warning could receive up to 200 mm (7.9 inches) of additional rainfall, with isolated falls of 400 – 500 mm (15.7 – 19.7 inches) possible over the next 24 hours.

“Unfortunately, a lot more rain is expected, and major flooding will continue to impact rivers, creeks, and streams, along with flash flooding. Everything is already saturated,” Narramore said.

EDIT

https://watchers.news/2025/02/02/major-flooding-underway-in-northern-queensland-after-extreme-rainfall-australia/