Cairns, in northeastern Australia, was hit particularly hard by floodwaters, emergency services said. Cairns is a tourist hub and gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.
Rivers in the region were already flooded after a tropical cyclone ravaged the region this week, flooding highways and uprooting trees.
A ten-year-old girl was struck by lightning in southern Queensland on Saturday. Her condition is serious.
Meteorologist Laura Boekel (Lora Bukel) said on Sunday that some areas of Queensland had received more than 600 millimeters of rain in the past 24 hours.
She warned that another 500 millimeters of rain may fall in the next 24 hours.
“Flash flooding is life-threatening because it can occur very quickly,” she told a news conference.
Queensland Premier Steven Miles warned that flood warnings had been issued for several areas.
“I’ve talked to people who say they’ve never seen rainfall like this,” he added. “This is very serious and could be worse.”
Mr Miles said the fast-rising waters had closed Cairns Airport, where flooding was likely to exceed the record levels seen after the 1977 cyclone.
Mr Miles added that about 10,500 people were without power in Queensland.
Deputy Police Commissioner Shane Chelepy said a number of evacuations and rescue operations had been carried out. Five relief centers were opened.
He added that there are no reports of dead or missing people yet.
A senior official said some houses were flooded, but did not give a number. The National Emergency Management Agency has been approached for assistance, added Sh. Chelepy.
Acting Fire and Emergency Commissioner Stephen Smith said swift water rescue teams had responded to more than 50 calls.
He warned residents to stay at home.
“These are life-threatening events, we don’t need people walking outside,” he said.
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2024-08-02 11:44:42