Almost 300 truckies have delivered crucial supplies to flood-weary residents in Ingham, the epicentre of North Queensland’s flood disaster, which has been cut-off by road for almost two weeks.
While the devastating system, which has brought almost 1200 millimetres of rain since the start of February, is now expected to move offshore, much of the north of the state remains waterlogged.
In the west, Charters Towers has become the new frontline of the flooding disaster.
Despite being entirely surrounded by water, the town is on strict water restrictions, limited to drinking and short showers due to infrastructure failure caused by the flooding.
Thousands of people remain without power and more have been unable to return to their homes after evacuating more than a week ago.
When waters recede, residents will face a monumental clean-up, with destroyed furniture and belongings already lining roads and mould starting to spread.
The focus remains on getting crucial deliveries to communities and supermarkets in the north.
The Ollera Creek Bridge, which was washed away by heavy rain on February 2, was expected to open again tonight with a sturdier interim solution to the temporary bridge that was used last night.
The bridge forms part of the state’s main arterial, the Bruce Highway, which connects regional cities and communities along the state’s east coast.
The death toll from the disaster remains at two.
Two men who abandoned their car due to rising waters near Ollera Creek about 9.45pm yesterday and became separated were found alive and well today.
Both men were found by search and rescue teams this morning.
ADF to build temporary bridge to give access to flood-ravaged town
The Bureau of Meteorology warns heavy rainfall is still possible in Proserpine and Tully for the remainder of today, more likely over the Cassowary and Townsville coasts this afternoon, but will ease tonight.
Isolated six-hourly rainfall totals between 100 to 150 mm are possible.
Isolated 24-hourly rainfall totals up to 200 mm are possible, mainly between Townsville and Cardwell.
