Australia: Rains Expected To Continue, Bring More Floods; Evacuation Thwarted Due To Downpours

Heavy rains are expected to continue in Queensland, Australia and bring more floods in the region.

Due to the persistent bad weather, evacuation of affected residents has been thwarted. Aside from that, many areas have been isolated as well because of the presence of crocodiles.

Rivers Swell To Record Levels

Authorities said that the level of some rivers have swollen to record levels due to ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper and this resulted in the inundation of residences, severing roads and power and forcing people to flee their houses through the use of boats.

Officials also said that one man is missing due to the situation while hundreds of individuals still require rescue, especially those who are staying in remote communities.

Weather experts noted that torrential rains would continue and that it will also coincide with a high tide, which will later intensify the impact on low-lying communities.

They added that the rivers are yet to peak and will remain swollen for days.

When it comes to the rescue and relief efforts, they have been hampered due to the closure of Cairns Airport, where planes were pictured submerged on Sunday.

Meanwhile, many communities situated between Cooktown and Innisfail remain cut off by floodwaters, and this resulted in the food and water stocks running low.

Authorities are more concerned in Wujal Wujal, an area where up to 300 people are waiting to be evacuated.

They also noted that several rivers are expected to break records set during a flood event in 1977. The Daintree River, for example, has already exceeded the previous record by 2m, after receiving 820mm of rain in a matter of 24 hours.

State officials estimated the toll of the disaster will go byeond A$1bn (£529m; $670m).

Eastern Australia has been hit by frequent flooding in recent years and the country is now enduring an El Nino weather event, which is typically associated with extreme events such as wildfires and cyclones.

Disaster Assistance

The Queensland Government said that in the immediate aftermath of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper, the Queensland Reconstruction Authority has swiftly activated jointly-funded disaster assistance under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) to support affected individuals and councils.

Announced by Deputy Premier Steven Miles and Federal Minister for Emergency Management Senator Murray Watt in Cairns less than a day after TC Jasper crossed the Queensland coast, the DRFA assistance will cover the costs of response operations and repairs for the local councils including Cairns, Cook, Douglas, Hopevale, Wujal Wujal and Yarrabah.

On the other hand, people living in Douglas and Wujal Wujal who have been directly impacted by Jasper can also apply for assistance grants to purchase essential items and reconnect damaged household services.

These Personal Hardship Assistance grants would provide up to $180 for individuals and up to $900 for a family of five or more available to cover the costs of essentials like food, clothing and medicine.

Meanwhile, the Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme is also available to help homeowners in those areas to help reconnect electricity, gas, water or sewerage.

While the full extent of damage is still being assessed by authorities, the activation of immediate disaster assistance will enable local councils to manage their response and urgent recovery needs for their communities.