Following the evacuation of many people, the blackout of homes, and the removal of a portion of a vital bridge, swift-moving floodwaters increased Monday in northeastern Australia.
In parts of Queensland, storms have already dumped over a meter (39 inches) of rain in two days, submerging houses, businesses, and highways in muddy floods, according to authorities.
Rural communities were shut off from neighboring highways and encircled by flooding, according to aerial footage.
“We are going to see widespread rain and storms spread across much of northern Queensland,” the state’s premier, David Crisafulli, warned in a news conference.
“We remain prepared for the ongoing prospect of more rain and the likelihood of more flooding, both flash flooding and riverine flooding,” he said.
Emergency services carried out 11 “swift water rescues” overnight, the premier said.
Areas of flood-hit Townsville, a popular coastal tourist destination that lies near the Great Barrier Reef, had been declared a “black zone”, he said.
“Our advice to residents in the black zone at the moment is to stay out of that zone and stay safe.”
About 10% of the town’s 2,100 residents refused to leave when the authorities ordered them to do so over the weekend, according to emergency services officials.
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