Overstromingen in Australië
Overstromingen teisteren het oosten van Australië
Hevige regenval heeft in de Oost-Australische kuststad Mackay zware overstromingen veroorzaakt. Meer dan duizend mensen moesten hun huizen verlaten, nadat in 24 uur zoveel neerslag was gevallen als anders in twee maanden. Grote delen van Mackay staan onder water, wegen zijn niet meer bruikbaar. De autoriteiten verklaarden de stad in de deelstaat Queensland tot rampgebied. "De toestand is ernstig", zei de vrouwelijke burgemeester van Mackay, Julie Boyd.
Wildbeschermers waarschuwen voor krokodillen, die door het hoge water uit hun gebieden zijn kunnen ontsnappen. De weerdiensten beschouwen de regenval de hevigste sinds 1918.
©HLN
Hevige regenval heeft in de Oost-Australische kuststad Mackay zware overstromingen veroorzaakt. Meer dan duizend mensen moesten hun huizen verlaten, nadat in 24 uur zoveel neerslag was gevallen als anders in twee maanden. Grote delen van Mackay staan onder water, wegen zijn niet meer bruikbaar. De autoriteiten verklaarden de stad in de deelstaat Queensland tot rampgebied. "De toestand is ernstig", zei de vrouwelijke burgemeester van Mackay, Julie Boyd.
Wildbeschermers waarschuwen voor krokodillen, die door het hoge water uit hun gebieden zijn kunnen ontsnappen. De weerdiensten beschouwen de regenval de hevigste sinds 1918.
©HLN
Mackay floods ease slightly
Water levels in flooded Mackay have fallen overnight, with many residents in the north Queensland city now returning to their homes. Several evacuation centres have helped house some of the 1,000 residents who were forced to flee their homes, after 600 millimetres of rain fell in six hours yesterday morning - the biggest deluge in Mackay in the last 90 years. Disaster Coordination Centre spokesman Dan McKinlay says the city faces a major clean-up, but the crisis has eased.
Two Mackay residents paddle down the appropriately named River Street in Mackay.
The situation has certainly improved. It is still raining but nowhere near the level of rain it was yesterday morning, he said. We've had about 30mm in the last few hours. It's still raining but obviously not a big problem at this stage.
'Remarkable spirit'
Mayor Julie Boyd says the magnitude of the crisis overwhelmed emergency workers and residents have been magnificent. They've helped each other to save property and furniture. There really has been a remarkable spirit and people have joined together to make sure everyone is safe, she said. The waist-deep water in many homes has gone, phones are back and most of the water has subsided.
But the monsoonal trough is still dumping rain in Mackay and to the north where Deeragun, west of Townsville, recorded 372 millimetres in six hours overnight. Ms Boyd says there have not been many calls for help overnight, although it is still raining and quite windy.
Emergency Management Queensland spokesman John Hall says SES reinforcements have now arrived and the Fire Service is also helping out. We've also got 20 urban search and rescue firefighters arriving in Mackay, he said. They're not actually coming for the purpose of searching, they'll actually be working with and supporting the local council, to conduct damage assessment on flooded homes and properties throughout Mackay.
©abc | Gewijzigd: 24 april 2017, 10:46 uur, door Joyce.s
Water levels in flooded Mackay have fallen overnight, with many residents in the north Queensland city now returning to their homes. Several evacuation centres have helped house some of the 1,000 residents who were forced to flee their homes, after 600 millimetres of rain fell in six hours yesterday morning - the biggest deluge in Mackay in the last 90 years. Disaster Coordination Centre spokesman Dan McKinlay says the city faces a major clean-up, but the crisis has eased.
Two Mackay residents paddle down the appropriately named River Street in Mackay.
The situation has certainly improved. It is still raining but nowhere near the level of rain it was yesterday morning, he said. We've had about 30mm in the last few hours. It's still raining but obviously not a big problem at this stage.
'Remarkable spirit'
Mayor Julie Boyd says the magnitude of the crisis overwhelmed emergency workers and residents have been magnificent. They've helped each other to save property and furniture. There really has been a remarkable spirit and people have joined together to make sure everyone is safe, she said. The waist-deep water in many homes has gone, phones are back and most of the water has subsided.
But the monsoonal trough is still dumping rain in Mackay and to the north where Deeragun, west of Townsville, recorded 372 millimetres in six hours overnight. Ms Boyd says there have not been many calls for help overnight, although it is still raining and quite windy.
Emergency Management Queensland spokesman John Hall says SES reinforcements have now arrived and the Fire Service is also helping out. We've also got 20 urban search and rescue firefighters arriving in Mackay, he said. They're not actually coming for the purpose of searching, they'll actually be working with and supporting the local council, to conduct damage assessment on flooded homes and properties throughout Mackay.
©abc | Gewijzigd: 24 april 2017, 10:46 uur, door Joyce.s
Floods cause trouble in Townsville
Emergency crews were kept busy in the Townsville area overnight, with about 10 cars running into trouble on flooded roads and properties. A woman had a lucky escape when she was rescued from a vehicle that was stranded in rising floodwaters at Blackriver.
The Bruce Highway is closed at the Houghton River between Ayr and Townsville. Police say motorists cannot go any further west than Charters Towers, with the Flinders Highway closed. SES crews have been sand-bagging, after Deeragan, west of Townsville, recorded 372 millimetres of rain in six hours overnight.
Townsville had 179mm with Bluewater to the north recording 266mm and Giru 134mm. Emergency Management Queensland says there have been about a dozen homes evacuated because of the torrential rain. Spokesman John Hall says homes were flooded at Deeragan and Mt Low where more than 300 millimetres of rain has been recorded.
"We had four homes in the towns of Millaroo and Dalbeg which are west of Ayr affected by storm water run off," he said.
©abc | Gewijzigd: 24 april 2017, 10:46 uur, door Joyce.s
Emergency crews were kept busy in the Townsville area overnight, with about 10 cars running into trouble on flooded roads and properties. A woman had a lucky escape when she was rescued from a vehicle that was stranded in rising floodwaters at Blackriver.
The Bruce Highway is closed at the Houghton River between Ayr and Townsville. Police say motorists cannot go any further west than Charters Towers, with the Flinders Highway closed. SES crews have been sand-bagging, after Deeragan, west of Townsville, recorded 372 millimetres of rain in six hours overnight.
Townsville had 179mm with Bluewater to the north recording 266mm and Giru 134mm. Emergency Management Queensland says there have been about a dozen homes evacuated because of the torrential rain. Spokesman John Hall says homes were flooded at Deeragan and Mt Low where more than 300 millimetres of rain has been recorded.
"We had four homes in the towns of Millaroo and Dalbeg which are west of Ayr affected by storm water run off," he said.
©abc | Gewijzigd: 24 april 2017, 10:46 uur, door Joyce.s
Mackay flood recedes, bill to hit millions
Authorities in Mackay have urged residents to be patient as the flood recovery and relief operation continues in the north Queensland city. The damage bill is still being tallied from Friday's torrential rain that swamped the city and it could run into tens of millions of dollars. But floodwaters are continuing to recede and police say the heavy rainfall which caused major flooding to homes and businesses on Friday has eased substantially.
Senior Sergeant Simon Palmer says the worst is over. At the moment in Mackay we have still got some localised flooding, he said. However the levels are continuing to fall and the rain has certainly eased here.
We have got some strong winds going through at the moment but that's not really causing any problems. Some residents are still without power, but Mayor Julie Boyd says it will take time for the city to get back on its feet. Some residents won't be able to put their electricity back on until they get a contractor, she said.
Floodwaters cause havoc in Mackay
That's a problem for people, they don't always understand the process. Most of the roads are now open although there is still some localised flooding. Federal Human Services Minister Joe Ludwig inspected the region yesterday and promised to give Prime Minister Kevin Rudd a personal briefing on what help is needed from the Federal Government. What I will be doing is reporting back to the Prime Minister and I will let him know what is happening up here its first hand, he said.
I will be [able] to tell him the devastation that's been caused by the floods up in the Mackay region and he will be able to then talk to the Premier and work out how we can best help. Yesterday during her visit to the city, Premier Anna Bligh promises residents the State Government will provide financial relief. Ms Bligh says she has extended the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal - set up to help Emerald flood victims - to Mackay flood victims as well.
©abc | Gewijzigd: 24 april 2017, 10:46 uur, door Joyce.s
Authorities in Mackay have urged residents to be patient as the flood recovery and relief operation continues in the north Queensland city. The damage bill is still being tallied from Friday's torrential rain that swamped the city and it could run into tens of millions of dollars. But floodwaters are continuing to recede and police say the heavy rainfall which caused major flooding to homes and businesses on Friday has eased substantially.
Senior Sergeant Simon Palmer says the worst is over. At the moment in Mackay we have still got some localised flooding, he said. However the levels are continuing to fall and the rain has certainly eased here.
We have got some strong winds going through at the moment but that's not really causing any problems. Some residents are still without power, but Mayor Julie Boyd says it will take time for the city to get back on its feet. Some residents won't be able to put their electricity back on until they get a contractor, she said.
Floodwaters cause havoc in Mackay
That's a problem for people, they don't always understand the process. Most of the roads are now open although there is still some localised flooding. Federal Human Services Minister Joe Ludwig inspected the region yesterday and promised to give Prime Minister Kevin Rudd a personal briefing on what help is needed from the Federal Government. What I will be doing is reporting back to the Prime Minister and I will let him know what is happening up here its first hand, he said.
I will be [able] to tell him the devastation that's been caused by the floods up in the Mackay region and he will be able to then talk to the Premier and work out how we can best help. Yesterday during her visit to the city, Premier Anna Bligh promises residents the State Government will provide financial relief. Ms Bligh says she has extended the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal - set up to help Emerald flood victims - to Mackay flood victims as well.
©abc | Gewijzigd: 24 april 2017, 10:46 uur, door Joyce.s
Homes flooded as heavy rains drench far north Qld
Emergency service crews have spent the night sandbagging homes in far north Queensland where there has been more heavy rain. More than 100 millimetres was recorded at Atherton. Emergency Management Queensland spokesman Glen Alderton says about a dozen homes in the region were flooded. "On the Tablelands and around the Cairns area we had several residents who required the SES to assist them with some sandbagging and some tarping," he said. "So up on the Tablelands in the Atherton and Mareeba area - some quite heavy downpours. "Unofficially some people said they had six inches of rain in just over an hour." Meanwhile, the clean-up is continuing in Mackay after Friday's flash floods devastated the city.
Bron: ABC
Emergency service crews have spent the night sandbagging homes in far north Queensland where there has been more heavy rain. More than 100 millimetres was recorded at Atherton. Emergency Management Queensland spokesman Glen Alderton says about a dozen homes in the region were flooded. "On the Tablelands and around the Cairns area we had several residents who required the SES to assist them with some sandbagging and some tarping," he said. "So up on the Tablelands in the Atherton and Mareeba area - some quite heavy downpours. "Unofficially some people said they had six inches of rain in just over an hour." Meanwhile, the clean-up is continuing in Mackay after Friday's flash floods devastated the city.
Bron: ABC
Every cloud has a silver lining
750 millimeter in 2 dagen voor Queensland
Stortregens hebben in het Australische Queensland voor veel neerslag gezorgd. Plaatselijk viel 750 millimeter in twee dagen tijd.
De zware buien ontstonden op de Intertropische Convergentiezone (ITCZ) die momenteel vrij ver zuidelijk ligt. In de omgeving van Mackay viel tussen donderdag en zaterdag in 48 uur tijd 700 millimeter neerslag. Hierdoor ontstonden overstromingen en plaatselijk stond het water bijna 2 meter hoog in de woningen. 2000 huizen zijn door de Australische autoriteiten geëvacueerd.
De ITCZ zal voorlopig in de regio blijven liggen. Het vormt de smalle grens tussen het noorden van Queensland waar momenteel een noordwestenwind waait en het zuiden waar een zuidoostenwind staat. Pas in maart trekt de ITCZ naar het noorden weg.
©VWKweb
Stortregens hebben in het Australische Queensland voor veel neerslag gezorgd. Plaatselijk viel 750 millimeter in twee dagen tijd.
De zware buien ontstonden op de Intertropische Convergentiezone (ITCZ) die momenteel vrij ver zuidelijk ligt. In de omgeving van Mackay viel tussen donderdag en zaterdag in 48 uur tijd 700 millimeter neerslag. Hierdoor ontstonden overstromingen en plaatselijk stond het water bijna 2 meter hoog in de woningen. 2000 huizen zijn door de Australische autoriteiten geëvacueerd.
De ITCZ zal voorlopig in de regio blijven liggen. Het vormt de smalle grens tussen het noorden van Queensland waar momenteel een noordwestenwind waait en het zuiden waar een zuidoostenwind staat. Pas in maart trekt de ITCZ naar het noorden weg.
©VWKweb
Authorities brace for more flooding in north Queensland
Emergency crews are on standby, with heavy rain likely to cause more flooding in north Queensland. Several homes were flooded on the Atherton Tableland last night and at Edmonton, south of Cairns. Glen Alderton from Emergency Management Queensland says crews spent the night sand-bagging and pumping water from affected homes.
He says authorities remain on alert. Most of the crews are just watching at the moment. I do expect a bit more rain this afternoon, he said. We're still in the severe weather warning area so later this afternoon and this evening there may be some more heavy rain so the SES will be on standby for that as well.
The Cape York town of Coen is cut off by rising floodwaters. Seven hundred kilograms of food was airlifted to residents on Friday afternoon, while a small charter plane is due to arrive today. Meanwhile, the clean-up is continuing just north of Townsville, where up to 440 millimetres of rain fell on Friday night. The State Emergency Service says three families had to be evacuated from the suburbs of Deeragun and Mt Low and a number of homes were flooded.
Mackay
In Mackay, the evacuation centres are being scaled down. But Mayor Julie Boyd says staff will remain on hand to help flood-affected residents. Queeensland Premier Anna Bligh says contingency plans are in place. With more heavy rains predicted for Mackay, Townsville and north Queensland this afternoon, I can assure people in those regions that we do have emergency rooms established, she said.
We have sent additional emergency service personnel as well as police and other staff into those regions. The Bruce Highway has been closed near Mackay because of fears a dam may burst and flood the road. Police have advised the highway is closed both north and south at the intersection of O'Donnells Road at Bloomsbury.
It is not known how long the highway will be closed.
©abc
Emergency crews are on standby, with heavy rain likely to cause more flooding in north Queensland. Several homes were flooded on the Atherton Tableland last night and at Edmonton, south of Cairns. Glen Alderton from Emergency Management Queensland says crews spent the night sand-bagging and pumping water from affected homes.
He says authorities remain on alert. Most of the crews are just watching at the moment. I do expect a bit more rain this afternoon, he said. We're still in the severe weather warning area so later this afternoon and this evening there may be some more heavy rain so the SES will be on standby for that as well.
The Cape York town of Coen is cut off by rising floodwaters. Seven hundred kilograms of food was airlifted to residents on Friday afternoon, while a small charter plane is due to arrive today. Meanwhile, the clean-up is continuing just north of Townsville, where up to 440 millimetres of rain fell on Friday night. The State Emergency Service says three families had to be evacuated from the suburbs of Deeragun and Mt Low and a number of homes were flooded.
Mackay
In Mackay, the evacuation centres are being scaled down. But Mayor Julie Boyd says staff will remain on hand to help flood-affected residents. Queeensland Premier Anna Bligh says contingency plans are in place. With more heavy rains predicted for Mackay, Townsville and north Queensland this afternoon, I can assure people in those regions that we do have emergency rooms established, she said.
We have sent additional emergency service personnel as well as police and other staff into those regions. The Bruce Highway has been closed near Mackay because of fears a dam may burst and flood the road. Police have advised the highway is closed both north and south at the intersection of O'Donnells Road at Bloomsbury.
It is not known how long the highway will be closed.
©abc
Falling trees a threat to flooded Mackay
Dangerous large trees are posing a threat to Mackay residents and hampering the clean up, after major flooding on Friday. The State Emergency Service says large trees have become a dangerous hazard, because their roots cannot hold onto the waterlogged soil and are toppling over.
Thirty-seven SES workers from Brisbane and Cairns will travel to Mackay today and will stay for the rest of the week to help with the clean up, which is being hampered by the continuing rain. Emergency Management Queensland spokesman John Hall says 12 members of the group are specialist chainsaw operators.
"Yesterday the SES received 90 new jobs, for things like tarping, general storm and flood clean-up," he said.
"Interestingly as well we are starting to get a lot of trees down now, simply because the ground is so saturated. Some of the trees are just starting to come down, so that's why we are sending in those chainsaw operators.
Klik hier voor het hele artikel
©abc
Dangerous large trees are posing a threat to Mackay residents and hampering the clean up, after major flooding on Friday. The State Emergency Service says large trees have become a dangerous hazard, because their roots cannot hold onto the waterlogged soil and are toppling over.
Thirty-seven SES workers from Brisbane and Cairns will travel to Mackay today and will stay for the rest of the week to help with the clean up, which is being hampered by the continuing rain. Emergency Management Queensland spokesman John Hall says 12 members of the group are specialist chainsaw operators.
"Yesterday the SES received 90 new jobs, for things like tarping, general storm and flood clean-up," he said.
"Interestingly as well we are starting to get a lot of trees down now, simply because the ground is so saturated. Some of the trees are just starting to come down, so that's why we are sending in those chainsaw operators.
Klik hier voor het hele artikel
©abc
Darwin roads, homes flooded as heavy rains continue
Heavy rain in the Darwin area have flooded two roads, and things could get worse as the tide rises. McMillans Road near the Kimmorley Bridge at Rapid Creek has been closed, and sections of Bagot Road between Ludmilla and Rapid Creek are also impassable. The Darwin Watch Commander Gavin Kennedy says motorists should avoid these roads. "The Stuart Highway at the moment is probably the best major arterial option. There's water over some of the low-lying waters such as Amy Johnston Avenue and Berrimah Road intersection areas, but at the moment the Stuart Highway is the better option out of all the major arterials." And Northern Territory emergency services have been called to a number of flooded homes in Darwin today. The service's Mark Cunnington says the monsoonal showers have saturated the ground causing drains to overflow around the Rapid Creek, Nightcliff and Millner areas. Mr Cunnington says crews have been doing what they can to limit the water damage in the houses. "With the extraordinary weather conditions we are suffering today, plus with the last week or so of monsoonal type weather, the ground is getting soaked and not draining off anywhere and generally finding the easiest way to run off and unfortunately today that has been through a couple of lounge rooms."
The Bureau of Meteorology says heavy rain around the Top End this morning has further boosted above average wet season rainfall. In the 24 hours to 9am this morning, Duminmirrie topped the gauges with 304 millimetres. It was another wet day in Darwin's northern suburbs too. Two hundred millimetres fell in Nightcliff, most of it this morning. Batchelor received 58 millimetres, Middle Point 51 millimetres and 27 millimetres was recorded in Palmerston. Territory Resources' iron ore mine at Francis Creek has received 128 millimetres in the past two days, preventing heavy haulage and iron ore crushing. The mine's managing director Allan Quadrio says production is still on track, despite the wet ore. "We allow for a certain amount of downtime during the wet season for these types of events, so we are still on budget for the for the month." But he says it could take days for the water to drain. "Helene 67 is the main pit that we are mining at the moment. (There is) a significant amount of water filling the floor of the pit, to a reasonable height to several metres in the bottom of the pit. It will take us about 3 days of empty that out."
The Bureau of Meteorology says the wet weather in the Top End is likely to continue for the next few days.
Bron: ABC
Heavy rain in the Darwin area have flooded two roads, and things could get worse as the tide rises. McMillans Road near the Kimmorley Bridge at Rapid Creek has been closed, and sections of Bagot Road between Ludmilla and Rapid Creek are also impassable. The Darwin Watch Commander Gavin Kennedy says motorists should avoid these roads. "The Stuart Highway at the moment is probably the best major arterial option. There's water over some of the low-lying waters such as Amy Johnston Avenue and Berrimah Road intersection areas, but at the moment the Stuart Highway is the better option out of all the major arterials." And Northern Territory emergency services have been called to a number of flooded homes in Darwin today. The service's Mark Cunnington says the monsoonal showers have saturated the ground causing drains to overflow around the Rapid Creek, Nightcliff and Millner areas. Mr Cunnington says crews have been doing what they can to limit the water damage in the houses. "With the extraordinary weather conditions we are suffering today, plus with the last week or so of monsoonal type weather, the ground is getting soaked and not draining off anywhere and generally finding the easiest way to run off and unfortunately today that has been through a couple of lounge rooms."
The Bureau of Meteorology says heavy rain around the Top End this morning has further boosted above average wet season rainfall. In the 24 hours to 9am this morning, Duminmirrie topped the gauges with 304 millimetres. It was another wet day in Darwin's northern suburbs too. Two hundred millimetres fell in Nightcliff, most of it this morning. Batchelor received 58 millimetres, Middle Point 51 millimetres and 27 millimetres was recorded in Palmerston. Territory Resources' iron ore mine at Francis Creek has received 128 millimetres in the past two days, preventing heavy haulage and iron ore crushing. The mine's managing director Allan Quadrio says production is still on track, despite the wet ore. "We allow for a certain amount of downtime during the wet season for these types of events, so we are still on budget for the for the month." But he says it could take days for the water to drain. "Helene 67 is the main pit that we are mining at the moment. (There is) a significant amount of water filling the floor of the pit, to a reasonable height to several metres in the bottom of the pit. It will take us about 3 days of empty that out."
The Bureau of Meteorology says the wet weather in the Top End is likely to continue for the next few days.
Bron: ABC
Every cloud has a silver lining
A man photographs the floodwaters at Hospital Bridge, Mackay, on February 16, 2008, after torrential rain deluged the area.
A car makes its way through floodwaters between the Village Shopping Centre and Pioneer High School in Mackay on February 16, 2008.
A shipping container lodges itself on the Malcomson Street Bridge at Gooseponds in Mackay on February 16, 2008, after torrential rain deluged the area, causing major flooding.
Floodwaters surge down Keeley's Road towards Slade Point, Mackay, on February 16, 2008, after torrential rain deluged the area.
Floodwaters swell the Issac River at Moranbah North Mine, 18km north of Moranbah, west of Mackay, on February 16, 2008, after torrential rain deluged the area.
A council truck plows through floodwaters in Oak St, Mackay, which became a fast flowing river after torrential rain deluged the area on February 16, 2008.
Floodwaters fill the backyard of a house at Pleystowe, west of Mackay, on February 15, 2008, after torrential rain deluged the area.
Floodwaters cover Oak Street, Mackay, on the morning of February 15, 2008, after torrential rain deluged the area.
©abc | Gewijzigd: 24 april 2017, 10:46 uur, door Joyce.s
Flash floods swamp Rockhamption region
Flash flooding has inundated homes in Rockhampton in central Queensland. The weather bureau says a monsoon trough has dumped 165 millimetres on the city in the past 24 hours, pushing the already-flooded Fitzroy River higher. Yesterday, the Fitzroy River peaked at 7.7 metres and the heavy rain pushed it as high as 9.6 metres overnight.
Rockhampton locals are reporting falls of more than 200 millimetres. Weather bureau forecaster Mike Marrinan says the airport is flooded. There's water right up to the Queensland helicopter ...inches deep, something like that, he said. The State Emergency Service (SES) received more than 35 calls for help, after a heavy downpour flooded homes and cut roads early this morning.
Lyle Dobbs from the Rockhampton SES says the rain has stopped and flood waters are starting to recede. There's some local flooding occurring, he said. Water has entered some properties up here, run through some low-set homes and the streets are fairly well-flooded in certain areas just with local run-off.
ABC reporter Martin Powley is cut off by floodwaters at his home. There's substantial flooding in Rockhampton and I've helped pull a gentleman out of his newspaper van this morning, he said. The water was getting up to the window. He was reluctant to leave and all of that's quite daunting when you're faced with it.
ABC television cameraman Mike Tregaskis says the Bruce Highway is cut on Rockhampton's southside, although there is an alternative route via Upper Dawson Road. Police say traffic can still get in and out of Rockhampton.
©abc
Flash flooding has inundated homes in Rockhampton in central Queensland. The weather bureau says a monsoon trough has dumped 165 millimetres on the city in the past 24 hours, pushing the already-flooded Fitzroy River higher. Yesterday, the Fitzroy River peaked at 7.7 metres and the heavy rain pushed it as high as 9.6 metres overnight.
Rockhampton locals are reporting falls of more than 200 millimetres. Weather bureau forecaster Mike Marrinan says the airport is flooded. There's water right up to the Queensland helicopter ...inches deep, something like that, he said. The State Emergency Service (SES) received more than 35 calls for help, after a heavy downpour flooded homes and cut roads early this morning.
Lyle Dobbs from the Rockhampton SES says the rain has stopped and flood waters are starting to recede. There's some local flooding occurring, he said. Water has entered some properties up here, run through some low-set homes and the streets are fairly well-flooded in certain areas just with local run-off.
ABC reporter Martin Powley is cut off by floodwaters at his home. There's substantial flooding in Rockhampton and I've helped pull a gentleman out of his newspaper van this morning, he said. The water was getting up to the window. He was reluctant to leave and all of that's quite daunting when you're faced with it.
ABC television cameraman Mike Tregaskis says the Bruce Highway is cut on Rockhampton's southside, although there is an alternative route via Upper Dawson Road. Police say traffic can still get in and out of Rockhampton.
©abc
Deadly diseases add to cost of Qld floods
Queensland is suffering from some of the aftershocks of its recent floods, with cattle dying and people getting Ross River fever. An insect-borne disease has now killed more cattle than the floods and public health authorities are fighting a spike in human insect-borne diseases. Meanwhile, the multi-million-dollar clean up operation continues. The transformation of Queensland from drought-parched to flood-drenched has caused $1 billion worth of damage. Ian Jennings, the head of the recovery task force, is worried about residents in Mackay.
"The problem is the homes; they're a construction site," he said. "We've got to get people out of their homes. There are safety issues with wires and all that sort of thing. "It's best to get them out. A lot of them will want to stay [but] they've got nowhere to go." While repairs are underway in flood-damaged areas from the north to the south of the state, public health authorities are battling a different front. Dr Christine Selvey, the senior director of communicable diseases at Queensland Health, says mosquitoes have brought Barmah virus and Ross River fever to flood-affected areas. "When there's lots of water and it's able to pool around for some days then that provides ideal breading grounds for mosquitoes," she said. "The numbers that we've seen so far this year for Ross River are certainly quite a bit higher than we saw in the very dry year that we had last year in the south-east." Local councils are busy spraying potential mosquito breeding sites to stem the spread of the illnesses.
Mixed blessing
For Queensland's farmers, the floods have been a mixed blessing. Crops and grass are flourishing on previously drought-declared land but cattle are dying in their hundreds. Alan Guilfoyle, a vet based in the central Queensland town of Clermont, says 600 cattle have died from bovine ephemeral fever, or three-day sickness, in recent weeks. It is carried by insects such as midges. "Initially the animal goes down with quite a high temperature, but this only last for about 12 hours hence the name of ephemeral fever," he said. "The beast then experience something very similar to what is very severe human flu - aches and pains and particularly in the big animals, because of their muscle mass, they find it very difficult to stand." The disease can cause the beast to cramp up, dehydrate in the sun, bloat and then die. It has cost cattle producers hundreds of thousands of dollars. There is a vaccine but many graziers believe it is too expensive and impractical. Mr Guilfoyle says when they have taken that stance, there is little that can be done other than "sit and wait and hope and pray". "Then maybe, maybe it's a good time to sit down and look at the actual dollar value of losing cattle opposed to the actual dollar value of having to vaccinate," he said. Queensland's chief veterinarian Ron Glanville says bovine ephemeral fever should come as no surprise to producers. Wet weather brings the disease in smaller numbers to Queensland and New South Wales every year.
Bron: ABC | Gewijzigd: 24 april 2017, 10:47 uur, door Joyce.s
Queensland is suffering from some of the aftershocks of its recent floods, with cattle dying and people getting Ross River fever. An insect-borne disease has now killed more cattle than the floods and public health authorities are fighting a spike in human insect-borne diseases. Meanwhile, the multi-million-dollar clean up operation continues. The transformation of Queensland from drought-parched to flood-drenched has caused $1 billion worth of damage. Ian Jennings, the head of the recovery task force, is worried about residents in Mackay.
"The problem is the homes; they're a construction site," he said. "We've got to get people out of their homes. There are safety issues with wires and all that sort of thing. "It's best to get them out. A lot of them will want to stay [but] they've got nowhere to go." While repairs are underway in flood-damaged areas from the north to the south of the state, public health authorities are battling a different front. Dr Christine Selvey, the senior director of communicable diseases at Queensland Health, says mosquitoes have brought Barmah virus and Ross River fever to flood-affected areas. "When there's lots of water and it's able to pool around for some days then that provides ideal breading grounds for mosquitoes," she said. "The numbers that we've seen so far this year for Ross River are certainly quite a bit higher than we saw in the very dry year that we had last year in the south-east." Local councils are busy spraying potential mosquito breeding sites to stem the spread of the illnesses.
Mixed blessing
For Queensland's farmers, the floods have been a mixed blessing. Crops and grass are flourishing on previously drought-declared land but cattle are dying in their hundreds. Alan Guilfoyle, a vet based in the central Queensland town of Clermont, says 600 cattle have died from bovine ephemeral fever, or three-day sickness, in recent weeks. It is carried by insects such as midges. "Initially the animal goes down with quite a high temperature, but this only last for about 12 hours hence the name of ephemeral fever," he said. "The beast then experience something very similar to what is very severe human flu - aches and pains and particularly in the big animals, because of their muscle mass, they find it very difficult to stand." The disease can cause the beast to cramp up, dehydrate in the sun, bloat and then die. It has cost cattle producers hundreds of thousands of dollars. There is a vaccine but many graziers believe it is too expensive and impractical. Mr Guilfoyle says when they have taken that stance, there is little that can be done other than "sit and wait and hope and pray". "Then maybe, maybe it's a good time to sit down and look at the actual dollar value of losing cattle opposed to the actual dollar value of having to vaccinate," he said. Queensland's chief veterinarian Ron Glanville says bovine ephemeral fever should come as no surprise to producers. Wet weather brings the disease in smaller numbers to Queensland and New South Wales every year.
Bron: ABC | Gewijzigd: 24 april 2017, 10:47 uur, door Joyce.s
Every cloud has a silver lining
Flash flooding sweeps through Sydney
Storms have caused flash flooding in Sydney this evening. Western Sydney has seen the most rainfall, with the Blacktown area receiving nearly 50 millimetres of rain. Sydney Airport authorities are warning the weather could delay some flights. Bureau of Meteorology spokesman Dave Williams says the storms have largely passed through Sydney and are continuing to dump rain to the north. "The heaviest rainfall on the radar appears to have weakened quite a bit now and has largely moved through Sydney," he said. "The area that seems to be the heaviest is... weaker in aerial extent than was the case beforehand, and at the moment is around Mangrove Mountain... and moving up towards Wyong. "The storms are still active in the north-east part of Sydney and that extends further and into the southern part of the Hunter region. "There's also a secondary band of storms in the north-eastern part of the Central Tablelands."
Bron: ABC
Storms have caused flash flooding in Sydney this evening. Western Sydney has seen the most rainfall, with the Blacktown area receiving nearly 50 millimetres of rain. Sydney Airport authorities are warning the weather could delay some flights. Bureau of Meteorology spokesman Dave Williams says the storms have largely passed through Sydney and are continuing to dump rain to the north. "The heaviest rainfall on the radar appears to have weakened quite a bit now and has largely moved through Sydney," he said. "The area that seems to be the heaviest is... weaker in aerial extent than was the case beforehand, and at the moment is around Mangrove Mountain... and moving up towards Wyong. "The storms are still active in the north-east part of Sydney and that extends further and into the southern part of the Hunter region. "There's also a secondary band of storms in the north-eastern part of the Central Tablelands."
Bron: ABC
Every cloud has a silver lining
