Australia news live: Queensland premier tells residents of six Townsville suburbs ‘leave by midday’ as flooding intensifies
Key events
‘Incredible’ levels of rainfall in north Queensland: premier
David Crisafulli has advised those in Townsville subject to evacuation orders to stay with friends and family, or if that is not an option, to seek shelter at an evacuation shelter at Heartleigh.
Your safety is more important than anything else.
The Queensland premier said that some rainfall totals received overnight were “incredible”.
Some of the falls that we saw overnight in different parts were, quite frankly, at incredible levels. One suburb got 620mm in the 20 hours to 6am. That is over 0.5m of water in less than a day. That should give you a perspective of how big it is.
Flood evacuation warning for Townsville ‘black zones’
David Crisafulli has urged residents in six Townsville “black zones” at risk from major flooding to leave by midday as monsoonal rains have dropped significant amounts of water in parts of the state.
Evacuation orders affecting thousands of people were issued overnight as rains in excess of 500mm fell in some places, with 600mm of rain expected in some parts on Sunday.
State Emergency Services have also carried out rescues at Ingham.
The Queensland premier said the Hebert River had reached 14.8m, just shy of the 15.2m level reached in 1967 and still rising.
The Premier said that he “cannot stress enough” that those living in a “black zone” must leave by midday.
I am asking people to heed this. Yesterday we spoke about the black zones, and we had around 170 crews go and/or knock and say to people please prepare, get ready to leave. Well, today I am asking people in those areas to leave by midday.
The areas affected include: Cluden, Hermit Park, Idalia, Oonoonba, Railway Estate and Rosslea
Good Morning
And welcome to another Sunday Guardian live blog.
The Queensland premier David Crisafulli has urged residents of six Townsville “black zones” to leave by midday as driving rain threatens major flooding in north Queensland. The Premier warned residents not to take risks in a developing emergency situation after more than 500mm of rain has fallen in some places.
In Sydney’s west, a boy has died after being pulled unconscious from a waterhole on Saturday. Paramedics worked to save the five-year-old who was rushed to hospital from Bents Basin in critical condition, where he later died.
I’m Royce Kurmelovs and I’ll be taking the blog through the day.
With that, let’s get started …
