Weather

Queensland hit by flash flooding

The remains of Tropical Cyclone Oswald trigger widespread flooding across the State.
Last Modified: 25 Jan 2013 09:30
Brisbane was last badly flooded in 2011, when relentless rains led to the death of more than 30 people [EPA]

Vast areas of Queensland are underwater and the rains are continuing to pour as the remains of Tropical Cyclone Oswald cross the state.

The tropical cyclone powered through the Gulf of Carpentaria and slammed into the north of Queensland. It started to disintegrate as it hit land. The winds began to ease, but the rain continued to pour.

The remains of the storm then headed south, down the coast of Queensland. Although the system is no longer a cyclone, it continues to suck plenty of moisture in from the Coral Sea, dumping it on the eastern parts of the State.

Rivers have flooded and some roads have been washed away. The flood waters have isolated some towns, with Rockhampton on Thursday experiencing its biggest daily downpour since 1939.

Samual Hill, a settlement half way between Brisbane and Townsville on the east coast of Queensland, recorded 370mm of rain in 24 hours. This is more rain than they normally see in the entire month of January.

The system is continuing to creep southwards. Over the next 24 to 48 hours it is expected to drench Brisbane, possibly bring as much as 200mm of rain in a 6 hour period. This would certainly cause widespread flooding.

204

Source:
Al Jazeera
Topics in this article
City
Featured on Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera's exclusive publishing of a key Guantanamo prison military document lays bare the brutality of force-feeding.
Former military official says poverty and anger in indigenous communities mean conditions for an "insurgency" are ripe.
A four-part series that gives a rare insight into the country on the move, with history in tow.
Series on the Palestinian 'catastrophe' of 1948 that led to dispossession and conflict that still endures.
Featured
Two years since the start of the uprising, rebels and Assad's forces remain locked in conflict.
A four-part series that gives a rare insight into the country on the move, with history in tow.
Extensive coverage of war crimes tribunals and controversial calls for blasphemy laws.
Series on the Palestinian 'catastrophe' of 1948 that led to dispossession and conflict that still endures.
Al Jazeera looks at the escalation of military threats between N Korea and geopolitical rivals.
join our mailing list