Tropical Cyclone Koji: North Queensland towns cut off as state counts cost of record flooding
Residents are on high alert for ongoing flooding for a huge area of Queensland as the state mops up following the impact of ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji.
The Bureau of Meteorology has 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.
There were huge falls on Sunday night into Monday, with over 200mm in Clermont and 150mm in Moranbah, meteorologist Dean Narramore said.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.He said there would be further heavy falls of between 50mm and 150mm in the warning area overnight, leading to flash and riverine flooding and rapid river rises, particularly in areas that were already flooded.
The small highland community of Eungella, west of Mackay, was 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 was extending into southeast Queensland, it was the northwest that was again most under threat.
Mr 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.
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.”
