2023-12-18 05:52:01
BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — More than 300 people were rescued overnight from flooding in northeastern Australia, where dozens of residents took shelter on their rooftops, authorities said Monday.
Cairns airport closed on Monday due to flooding and authorities feared the town of 160,000 would be left without running water.
Although the rain was easing in Cairns, there were severe weather warnings in the nearby towns of Douglas, Daintree, Cooktown, Wujal Wujal and Hope Vale, with more rain forecast.
Queensland State Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll described the floods as “absolutely devastating”.
Last night we had an extraordinarily challenging followingnoon (…), rescuing regarding 300 people,” Carroll told reporters.
No deaths or serious injuries were reported, he added.
The 300 people were evacuated by helicopter from the Aboriginal town of Wujal, Wujal, where nine adults and a seven-year-old child spent hours overnight on the roof of a hospital, according to authorities.
A category 2 tropical cyclone passed near Wujal Wujal on Wednesday. Although the strong winds did not cause significant damage to the population, the downpours continued to punish the area.
Roads and railway lines were cut off, towns were isolated and 14,000 homes and businesses were without power on Monday.
1702879895
#rescued #floods #northeast #Australia
