ID :
164974
Tue, 03/01/2011 - 11:38
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/164974
The shortlink copeid
Flood warning for Gulf of Carpentaria
The Bureau of Meteorology is warning of flash flooding across Queensland's Gulf of Carpentaria after a massive deluge produced up to half a metre of rain in 24 hours.
The highest falls have been at Mornington Island, off the Gulf coast, where more than 477 mm of rain fell in the 24 hours to 9am - breaking a 90-year-old rainfall record for the site.
Sweers Island recorded 251mm during the same period while Burketown Post Office recorded 165mm.
The bureau has issued a severe weather warning for the region for flash flooding, strong winds and higher than usual tides.
Forecaster Ben Suter said the low pressure system that was causing the severe weather was expected to remain in place until the end of the week.
"That (low) is going to be very slow moving and we are expecting some very heavy falls to keep coming," he told AAP.
North Queensland's tropical coast has also been experiencing flooding after more than a week of heavy rain.
Mr Suter said about a metre of rain fell in Cairns during February with most of it recorded in the past week.
"From the 24th to the 28th, we had falls of 50mm every day and then on the 25th and 27th, we had more than 100mm."
The downpour has caused problems in towns between Townsville and Cairns still recovering from Cyclone Yasi, which ripped through the region last month.
Tully and Ingham have both suffered significant flooding, with the Bruce Highway being inundated between Ingham and Cardwell.
Cassowary Coast Mayor Bill Shannon said heavy rain was to be expected in the region during the wet season, but it was creating problems for those affected by the cyclones.
"In the normal season you might get two or three floods of this nature, it's pretty normal and we just get on with life," he said.
"It's because we've got people with tarps still up on their roofs that it's been a problem."
A general flood warning has been issued for coastal rivers between Townsville and Cairns with specific warnings for the Herbert, Murray and Tully rivers; however, the bureau says floods are easing in those locations.
The highest falls have been at Mornington Island, off the Gulf coast, where more than 477 mm of rain fell in the 24 hours to 9am - breaking a 90-year-old rainfall record for the site.
Sweers Island recorded 251mm during the same period while Burketown Post Office recorded 165mm.
The bureau has issued a severe weather warning for the region for flash flooding, strong winds and higher than usual tides.
Forecaster Ben Suter said the low pressure system that was causing the severe weather was expected to remain in place until the end of the week.
"That (low) is going to be very slow moving and we are expecting some very heavy falls to keep coming," he told AAP.
North Queensland's tropical coast has also been experiencing flooding after more than a week of heavy rain.
Mr Suter said about a metre of rain fell in Cairns during February with most of it recorded in the past week.
"From the 24th to the 28th, we had falls of 50mm every day and then on the 25th and 27th, we had more than 100mm."
The downpour has caused problems in towns between Townsville and Cairns still recovering from Cyclone Yasi, which ripped through the region last month.
Tully and Ingham have both suffered significant flooding, with the Bruce Highway being inundated between Ingham and Cardwell.
Cassowary Coast Mayor Bill Shannon said heavy rain was to be expected in the region during the wet season, but it was creating problems for those affected by the cyclones.
"In the normal season you might get two or three floods of this nature, it's pretty normal and we just get on with life," he said.
"It's because we've got people with tarps still up on their roofs that it's been a problem."
A general flood warning has been issued for coastal rivers between Townsville and Cairns with specific warnings for the Herbert, Murray and Tully rivers; however, the bureau says floods are easing in those locations.
