Queensland Flood Heroes Save Lives as Town Evacuation is Delayed
The rescue of five people, including two children, on the roof of Mount Molloy is a heroic effort in far north Queensland despite wet weather delaying the evacuation of a flooded town.
There have been numerous valiant rescues, including a local using a mustering helicopter to save people from a hotel rooftop after record flooding and rainfall in the wake of the ex-tropical cyclone Jasper.
While the evacuation of the entire town of Wujal Wujal had to be postponed due to wet weather, Australian Defence Force helicopters will attempt to relocate the majority to Cooktown from early Tuesday, Dec. 19. Authorities insist that everyone in Wujal Wujal is safe and on higher ground with no reports of serious injuries despite crocodile sightings and disease warnings.
A 71-year-old man died north of Cairns from a medical episode unrelated to the event.
Despite the postponement of the Wujal Wujal evacuation, the region has seen acts of bravery, with locals using various means, including fishing boats and mustering helicopters, to save people from the floods.
Queensland Premier Steven Miles expressed gratitude for the rescue efforts and assistance from first responders and good Samaritans.
The region has been severely impacted by rainfall records broken in the far north, prompting numerous rescues and evacuations. The Australian Defence Force has sent necessary personnel, equipment, and aircraft to help communities. Major flood warnings for the Murray and Tully Rivers remain, with all major far-north roads closed.
The region has been inundated with showers from a trough associated with ex-tropical cyclone Jasper. The water treatment plant in Cairns is operating again, with the airport set to reopen on Dec. 19. People have been warned about crocodile sightings and the risk of disease due to contaminated floodwater.
