Communities across central and north Queensland are facing the grim prospect of being marooned for months after torrential rains linked to ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji caused severe flooding, cutting off roads and threatening homes.
‘Looking for a Boat or a Chopper’
Ashleigh Brieffies stood on the steps of her home outside Clermont on Monday afternoon, watching knee-deep water surge across her property. The show-horse owner and cattle breeder, who lives with her veterinarian husband Brendan, said the situation was rapidly deteriorating.
"If it comes up another 2ft we’ll probably be underwater," Brieffies stated. "I think we’ll be looking for a boat or a chopper." She managed to reach Clermont township on Sunday to stock up on essentials but was completely isolated by Monday morning.
While the Bureau of Meteorology had forecast significant rain, the severity caught many off guard. More than 250mm of rain fell on Brieffies's property in a matter of days, with the bulk arriving on Sunday. "It came in pretty hard and fast," she recounted, admitting she was not "overly calm" as the reality set in.
Months of Isolation Feared as Infrastructure Fails
The flooding has caused catastrophic damage to vital infrastructure. In some areas, more than a year's average rainfall fell in just one week, with certain localities recording up to 700mm in 48 hours.
Greg Williamson, the Mayor of Mackay, warned that the town of Eungella, perched on an escarpment inland from the coast, could be severed from the outside world for months. Drone footage showed the main access road was "seriously damaged," with the alternative route now impassable.
"We have over 200 people now just cut off," Mayor Williamson said, noting that initial resupply of generator fuel, food, and medical supplies would likely require helicopters—resources currently in short supply. He indicated that military assistance might be needed for supply drops.
Other communities are also suffering. Pinnacle and Gargett in the Pioneer Valley are without potable water after ground movement drained a reservoir. The inland mining hub of Dysart, home to nearly 3,000 people, was also cut off and could remain an island for days.
A State on Edge Amid Further Warnings
While Queensland Premier David Crisafulli offered some relief by announcing the weather system was "breaking up," major flood warnings remain. Rivers including the Connors, Isaac, Flinders, and Georgina are on high alert, and Gulf Country catchments are under a flood watch.
Emergency services have been inundated, with the State Emergency Service receiving 158 requests for assistance between 5am Sunday and Monday afternoon.
The premier expressed deep concern for already-saturated catchments, stating, "Further rain there could be devastating for the north-west." The town of Richmond is forecast to receive up to 100mm of rain over three days from Tuesday, an unwelcome deluge for an area where tens of thousands of cattle have already perished in floods since Christmas.
Despite the anxiety, some isolated communities are maintaining composure. In Dysart, Councillor Verniece Russell noted the typical rush on bread and milk but said residents were "quite happy and relaxed." For many, however, like Ashleigh Brieffies, the crisis is a profound and emotional challenge. "You can’t help being a bit teary," she said, "as you try to push through it."
