Tragic Incident in Queensland Floods: Woman Passes Away in Boat Accident, Residents Advised to Find Safety

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Authorities have confirmed a woman has died in floodwaters in northern Queensland.

Floods are engulfing northeast Queensland, with residents in parts of Townsville told to evacuate following warnings water levels could reach the second storey of some buildings.

Heavy rain is lashing areas of the Herbert and Lower Burdekin and North Tropical Coast, extending from Mackay to south of Cairns.

Queensland’s deputy police commissioner Shane Chelepy said a State Emergency Service (SES) boat capsized on Sunday morning after responding to a call for help in Ingham. Only five of the six people onboard were able to be rescued.

“We understand the deceased member is not a member of the SES, but is a member of the public,” he told reporters in Brisbane.

“This is tragically sad. It highlights the dangers and the risks of these events, and that’s why we are engaging with members of the community and asking them to heed the advice of emergency services workers.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the woman’s death as “heartbreaking”.

“My thoughts are with the family and the entire community at this awful time,” he said on X.

He said the “full support” of the Queensland and federal governments was being deployed to assist with the floods.

“I have spoken with Premier Crisafulli and reiterated we will supply whatever resources are required to deal with this event,” he said.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli emphasised the severity and urgency of the situation, warning residents not to be complacent.

“There is more rain to come, and there is the prospect of record rainfalls … I’m just asking people, just take the precautions, prepare for the worst, listen to the advice,” he said.

Emergency warnings are in place for six Townsville suburbs in the “black zone”: Cluden, Hermit Park, Idalia, Oonoonba, Railway Estate and Rosslea, with residents told to leave. The city’s airport has closed.

An emergency warning was issued at 5am on Sunday for the Hinchinbrook Shire with authorities warning residents to stay in place.

“Get up as high as you can where you are. There is dangerous flooding,” it warned.

Another emergency alert was issued for greater Townsville.

Cyclonic-like rain totals have lashed Townsville and surrounds with some areas receiving more than 600mm over the past 24 hours.

North Queensland has been hit by “incredible levels” of rain. Source: AAP / Scott Radford-Chisholm

The falls come after isolated seven-day totals of more than 900mm hammered the north tropical coast.

The Bureau of Meteorology said the weekend rainfall could lead to flooded homes, businesses and properties, landslides and further road closures.

“We’ve seen torrential rainfall continue across the Herbert and Lower Burdekin and parts of North Tropical Coast, with widespread falls of 200 to 300 millimetres with isolated falls in excess of that,” senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said.

“We could even be talking about places in excess of one metre over the next few days. That is an incredible amount of rainfall.”

Increased fire risk in Victoria amid heatwave

Meanwhile, the mercury is predicted to reach the high 30s and low 40s across Victoria from Sunday to Tuesday, as part of a three-day heatwave.

Temperatures topped 43C in Warracknabeal and Walpeup in the state’s west on Sunday afternoon, while Melbourne’s peak hit 38C.

The high temperatures also bring the chance of dry thunderstorms and lightning, increasing the risk of fires in western and central districts, including metropolitan Melbourne.

Fires continue to burn in Victoria’s Grampians National Park and Little Desert. The latter, sparked by dry lightning on 26 January, was declared contained but broke away on Sunday afternoon.

Fires are not the only danger, with Deputy Chief Health Officer Evelyn Wong reminding Victorians not to underestimate the incoming heatwave.

“Extreme heat can affect anybody,” she told reporters on Saturday.

Most at risk were those older than 65, babies and young children, pregnant women, people with acute and chronic health conditions and socially isolated individuals.

“There are simple ways to keep cool, like using air conditioning or fans, drinking plenty of water, wearing light or loose clothing, keeping your skin wet with a spray bottle or a damp sponge,” Wong said.

Those struggling to stay cool in their homes should head somewhere cool with air conditioning, such as a shopping centre or a friend’s place.

“Avoid being outside in the hottest part of the day, and please never leave kids in a hot car,” Wong said.

Elsewhere, vast parts of Western Australia have high and extreme fire danger ratings on Sunday.