Importance Score: 65 / 100 🔴
Search Resumes for Missing Elderly Man as Eastern Australia Braces for Prolonged Flooding
Authorities in New South Wales and Queensland are warning of potentially prolonged isolation for inland communities, as police recommenced the search for a senior man who was swept away by floodwaters on Saturday night. Following a record-breaking rainfall event across eastern Australia, widespread flood warnings remain in effect, prompting concerns for extended periods of inaccessibility for some regions.
Continued Flood Threat Across Eastern States
Record Rainfall and Expanding Flood Zones
Parts of inland Queensland experienced their highest rainfall for a single March day in 15 years, contributing to the already saturated river catchments. Debbie Platz, Deputy Commissioner of the NSW State Emergency Service, cautioned that certain inland communities near the NSW-Queensland border should anticipate “long term” isolation due to the ongoing weather crisis.
“Dynamic and Unpredictable Weather System”
“Across NSW, we are currently facing a highly dynamic and unpredictable weather system,” Platz stated, highlighting the rapid escalation of flash flooding in already waterlogged areas. She explained, “Flash flooding arises when substantial rainfall occurs within a short timeframe, and the ground’s absorption capacity is overwhelmed.”
Western NSW on Alert for Isolation
Platz emphasized the dual challenge of strong winds and floodwaters originating from Queensland river systems impacting NSW. “I urge residents in the western part of the state to commence preparations for isolation, which could be extended,” she cautioned. “Communities along the Paroo and Warrego Rivers should be ready for potential isolation lasting up to six weeks.”
Grave Concerns for Man Swept into River
There are serious fears for a man whose vehicle, towing a caravan, was witnessed being carried into the Barnard River at Bretti, north of Gloucester, in the mid-north coast hinterland on Saturday evening. The individual was attempting to navigate a causeway overwhelmed by rising floodwaters, which has since stranded over 20 people at a campsite.
Search and Rescue Operations Underway
Police deployed a helicopter to the campground around 3 am; however, those present opted to remain and not be evacuated. Search operations along the river have continued into this morning, with a command post established to coordinate efforts.
“Despite extensive searches of the region overnight, the vehicle and the driver remain missing,” police confirmed in a statement.
Increased Flood Rescues and Continued Rainfall Expected
19 Flood Rescues in 24 Hours
Platz reported that emergency services had conducted 19 flood rescues in the preceding 24 hours. “We have observed numerous instances in the last day where we have had to rescue individuals who became trapped in flash flood situations, predominantly involving vehicles driven into flooded roadways,” she detailed.
Further Weather System Approaching
Platz added that forecasts indicate another weather system is expected to arrive this week, potentially exacerbating the impact of the previous 24 hours of intense rainfall. On Saturday, parts of the Gold Coast, hinterland, Brisbane, Capricornia, and the northern tropical coast received over 50mm of rainfall, with the Sunshine Coast experiencing double that amount in some localities. In NSW, the Illawarra coast registered isolated rainfall totals exceeding 100mm, and an additional 50mm or more fell across the northern slopes and mid-north coast. Sydney largely avoided the heaviest rainfall, recording 24-hour totals between 5mm and 15mm.
Flood Warnings Persist Despite Clearing Skies
Senior meteorologist Jonathan How noted that while storm clouds have dissipated across much of eastern Queensland and NSW, flood and wind warnings will remain active. “The floodwaters will require considerable time to recede, therefore we anticipate these flood warnings will persist,” the Bureau of Meteorology forecaster explained.
Several major NSW roadways remain impassable due to flooding, including sections of the Silver City Highway from Broken Hill to the Queensland border.
Outback Queensland Communities Severely Affected
Dozens of residents in outback Queensland were airlifted to safety on Saturday as floodwaters inundated towns and properties. Stonehenge and Windorah in Central Queensland have been particularly hard-hit, with some areas receiving almost twice their average annual rainfall, triggering flood levels unseen since 1974.
Hardship Assistance Activated
Personal hardship assistance has been initiated, offering concessional loans and freight subsidies to support primary producers in numerous western Queensland communities impacted by the floods.
Western Australia Braces for Ex-Tropical Cyclone
Communities in Western Australia are also facing ongoing weather threats as ex-tropical cyclone Diane moves inland after making landfall on Saturday morning. Diane has unleashed 150mm of rainfall on the small Kimberley town of Derby, with a further 60mm recorded across southern parts of the region.
Rainfall Expected to Extend Inland
Significant rainfall is anticipated further inland on Sunday as the rapidly moving weather system progresses towards the Northern Territory border. The rainband could extend as far south as Alice Springs and Uluru and is expected to clear Western Australia by late Monday or Tuesday.