Airport cancels all flights as risk of 'life-threatening floods' remain
An airport in North Queensland has been closed and all flights cancelled as heavy rain lashes already devastated areas.
Flights were cancelled at the Whitsunday Coast Airport today, with the airport saying the high potential for road closures forced the move.
"If you were scheduled to travel, please contact your airline directly," a statement from the airport said.
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All flights in and out of Whitsunday Coast Airport were cancelled today. Nine
Rain has been battering the region from Hamilton Island to Yeppoon this afternoon.
Heavy rain is also expected to intensify in already flood-affected areas of Queensland according to Bureau meteorologist Sarah Scully.
Ingham and Townsville remain in the crosshairs of potential life-threatening flash flooding developing later this evening or early tomorrow morning.
Crews working to clean out flood-affected buildings in Queensland. Queensland Fire Department
In an update this afternoon, Scully said the BoM had not ruled out 24-hour rainfall totals of up 250mm in the Townsville region.
"Catchments are already swollen, and any rainfall is going to see quick responses from the river system," she said.
There is also the risk of severe thunderstorms from Cooktown to Airlie Beach.
There are still extensive flood warnings up and down the coastline of North Queensland.
Queensland Marine Rescue boats and SES personnel have been deployed to the Mackay region, where a new base of operations is being established.
SES resources are being deployed across Queensland. Facebook
Floodwater rescue boats have also been sent to the Whitsundays.
Road closures around Cairns mean the government have been working with supermarkets to fly fresh food into the city.
About 30 pallets of food, including fresh food, will be flown into Coles stores tomorrow.
"While we are continuing to closely monitor the situation in Far North Queensland, we are starting to get deliveries into areas like Cairns as roads reopen," a spokesperson from the company said.
Weekend of rain expected
North Queensland is facing more extreme weather over the weekend, with more thunderstoms expected over on Saturday.
The Bureau of Meteorology today issued a severe weather warning for further heavy rain from tonight.
"Six-hourly rainfall totals between 140mm and 200mm are possible. Isolated 24-hourly rainfall totals up to 250mm are possible."
Residents are being warned the heavy rainfall increases the chance of landslides and debris across roads.
Rain and thunderstorm activity forecast for Far North Queensland tomorrow. (Windy.com) Supplied
The rain is expected to ease by Monday.
Meanwhile, residents woke to some good news today, with power supplies one step closer to being restored.
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Residents in flood-hit communities face a major clean-up. Supplied
Crews from energy company Ergon working in the town of Ingham have brought the local substation back online, a major step forward in getting homes and businesses reconnected to power.
Ergon says over coming hours, workers will visit inundated areas and check feeder lines, to conduct any emergency repairs.
The restoration of power supplies is going to provide hope for Ingham residents who have been offline for several days now. It will allow them to charge their phones, run their washing machines and refrigerate their food.
Many people are now starting to return home to survey the damage from floodwaters at their properties.
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Crews are working to restore power to flood-hit communities. (Ergon Energy Network) Supplied
Yesterday Ergon restored power to about 700 homes in some of the worst-affected areas.
But some small communities, such as Halifax and Macknade, remain isolated. Residents say they need food drops, medical supplies, and other essentials.
In further good news for the flood recovery, the building of a temporary bridge by the Australian Defence Force on the Bruce Highway at Ollera Creek was finished yesterday.
Authorities say it will help get critical emergency services and supplies into isolated areas from the city of Townsville.
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The temporary road bridge in Far North Queensland is now open to emergency service vehicles. Queensland Police
The single-lane bridge will be the only road into flood-affected areas, including Ingham and the Hinchinbrook Shire, from the south.
Police say the bridge is only for emergency service vehicle use.
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