Queensland floods leave hundreds stranded

Exceptional rainfall in far north Queensland has left hundreds cut off after the Daintree River reached a record flood peak.

Many roads were cut off by the worst flooding since federation 118 years ago Source: AAP

Hundreds of people remain cut off after a deluge pushed far north Queensland's Daintree River to a record level.

The river peaked at close to 12.6 metres on Saturday night, breaking a record that stood for 118 years.

Ferry infrastructure was severely damaged and authorities say the crossing could be out for two days.

Many roads were cut off by the worst flooding since federation 118 years ago 

AAP

 

Almost 500mm of rain fell on the river in 24 hours - 300mm of that in just six hours.

Water charging down the crocodile-infested river dislodged a ticket booth, ripped a public pontoon from its footings, and swept away a water tank at a block of toilets.

"This is a difficult situation ... we ask everyone to be patient as Douglas Shire recovers from widespread monsoonal rain and the biggest Daintree River flood in 118 years," mayor Julia Leu said.

The monsoon trough that swamped the Daintree area is tracking south, with communities from Ingham to just north of Mackay braced for possible flooding.

A severe weather warning is current for coastal and inland communities that could see six-hour rainfall totals of up to 150mm.

A Flood Watch is current for catchments from Innisfail to Proserpine.

 

SOURCE AAP - SBS