After battering parts of the the Queensland coast, Cyclone Debbie has been downgraded to a tropical low. With further heavy rain predicted, flooding is now posing a major threat to communities. Some areas in the Pioneer Basin have already recorded 1000 mm of rain in 48 hours.
Cyclone Debbie made landfall on 27 March between Bowen and Airlie Beach in Queensland Australia. After the landfall it continued moving south-west over land between Collinsville and Mount Coolon.
The towns of Bowen, Airlie Beach and Proserpine have been worst affected by the cyclone, battered by 260km/h wind gusts. Flooding has blocked main roads and more than 60,000 homes were without power. Over 200 schools and education centres have been closed in the area.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) said they have received over 1,000 calls for assistance. Earlier today QFES said:
“Central Queensland is still getting drenched by Ex Tropical Cyclone Debbie with heavy rainfall and strong winds battering the Mackay area. Our swiftwater rescue technicians are responding to a number of calls for assistance and we need people to steer clear of flooded roads and look out for their neighbours. Water can rise quickly in the current conditions and if you live in a low lying area, make sure you are prepared to move should you need to and before you are cut off.”
Cyclone Debbie has since been downgraded to a tropical low but the threat of torrential rain and flooding remains. BoM warned that ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie will continue to generate areas of very heavy rain over the next few days, increasing the risk of localised flash flooding.
BoM said that daily rainfall totals of up to 250 mm are expected, with significantly higher totals possible locally.
Some areas have already seen high levels of rainfall, with over 6 months’ worth in falling in some areas in just 2 days. Victoria Dodds, Queensland Hydrology Manager at BoM said:
“In the Pioneer Basin there’s been over 1000 mm of rain in 48 hours. We normally see 1500–2000 mm in a year.”
Major flood warnings have been issued for the Pioneer, Connors and Isaac Rivers.
