The Ross River Dam spillway gates remained open to their maximum setting in Townsville today, releasing up to 1900 cubic metres of water per second.
The Townsville Local Disaster Management Group warned residents in flood-affected suburbs that Ross River flooding was expected to peak around 11am and last until at least midnight.
Homes in Rosslea, Hermit Park, Railway Estate, Townsville City, Oonoonba, Idalia, Cluden, West End, Rowes Bay, Garbutt, Aitkenvale, Cranbrook, Currajong, Mysterton, Pimlico, Mundingburra, Douglas, Annandale, Kirwan, Thuringowa Central and South Townsville areas coulde experience further flooding today as the flood level reaches its peak.
Overnight Joint Task Force 658 assisted the evacuation of about 400 people from the Idalia and Oononba areas.
Troops, primarily from the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment – Australian Army used 15 small inflatable boats (Zodiaks) to evacuate residents and pets. Similar operations are planned today.
The Bureau of Meteorology says the potential for significant and dangerous flash flooding will continue for areas between Ingham and Bowen, possibly extending as far south as Mackay during today or tomorrow
The warning comes as a slow-moving monsoon trough extends from Ingham to Gregory Springs and into a deep, semi-stationary tropical low, situated about 200km north of Mount Isa.
The trough is forecast to remain active this week, with further heavy and intense rainfall expected for already saturated catchments.
UPDATE: Ergon Energy said about 16,500 customers were without power at the peak of the flood event.
This was reduced to about 14,500 customers tonight after restoring power to about 2000 customers in fringe areas where flooding was relatively minor and our network was not damaged.
Ergon warned that restoration in some impacted areas could not occur until floodwaters had receded and crews completed damage assessments of inundated sections of the network.
View Queensland Fire and Emergency Services footage of Townsville flooding HERE:
https://www.facebook.com/QldFireandRescueService/videos/379335882866821/UzpfSTE0MzA0NjA2MjQyMzYyODoyMTAzNjYwNTM2MzYyMTYx/
