Queensland floods: One resident takes to rescuing locals as water levels peak
Water levels are peaking in Townsville as the flooding emergency continues across north Queensland.
The Queensland Disaster Management Committee has gathered in flood-stricken Townsville this morning as flood levels reached their highest.
They’re expected to remain at that level until at least midnight.
⚠️URGENT⚠️ MAJOR FLOOD WARNING ROSS RIVER!! 🚨RISK TO LIFE AND PROPERTY: Dangerous & high velocity flows will occur in the Ross River Sun night into Mon. Unprecedented areas of flooding will occur in Townsville. Issued at 6:10 pm EST 3/2/19 READ: https://t.co/HmjaVL45tU pic.twitter.com/qCYdwB8Yfp
— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) February 3, 2019
More than 400 people either evacuated or rescued overnight, including two police officers after their car washed away and they were left clinging to trees.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services says the officers put themselves in danger to protect the community.
Meanwhile, nearly a thousand people are holed up in evacuation centres.
Resident Brendon Owen has been rescuing residents in his tinny and he tells Chris Smith there are “countless” numbers of people waiting to be rescued.
Mr Owen says the conditions are “quite bad”.
“I’ve never seen anything like it.”
But he’s remaining positive, saying “it’s unreal, to see a community get to together and help these people who are stranded”.
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