Downpours drench Queensland, Australia by Elizabeth Saary
Torrential rain has caused widespread flash flooding across parts of Queensland, Australia with the city of Mackay worst affected.
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology has said that around 700mm (28 inches) has fallen in the Mackay area in the last 24 hours, causing the flooding and crippling emergency services around the region. Mackay East received 625mm (25 inches) of rain in the 24 hours to 9am this morning, with further heavy rain later in the morning. This is twice the city’s normal monthly rainfall in just one day.
Many businesses and schools have been closed and around 200 homes have been evacuated as the floodwaters continue to rise. Rescue officials have been working around the clock rescuing stranded people with boats.
Meanwhile, flood bound residents are being warned of crocodiles which have been seen swimming around in the floodwaters. Stranded residents have been told not wade through the waters and wait for emergency services.
The recent torrential rain has been caused by a monsoon trough which became stationary along the Queensland coast. Thunderstorms and downpours have battered the coast as the trough moved very slowly northwards along the Great Barrier Reef. Forecasters expect the rain to ease through today as the trough moves out into the Coral Sea. However, there is a risk of further heavy rain returning to more northern parts of coastal Queensland through the coming weekend.
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