Ex-Tropical Cyclone DEBBIE – UPDATE 000402

Record-Breaking Flood Forecast for Central Queensland, Australia

Residents central Queensland city of Rockhampton have been warned to leave low-lying areas ahead of a potentially record-breaking flood this week, as after-effects of ex-Tropical Cyclone DEBBIE loom, with major flooding expected in the Fitzroy River on Monday.

Some  5,400 properties, including 3,000 homes, face inundation when Fitzroy River reaches major flood levels on Monday and then peaks as high as 9.4 meters on Wednesday — its highest flood peak in more than 60 years.

Earlier, the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) declared Cyclone DEBBIE a catastrophe and warned that, based on previous cyclones, the damage could cost billions of dollars.

FIRE-EARTH Disaster Models Show that the cost of damage caused by DEBBIE could exceed $8billion.

• City of Lismore in northeastern New South Wales described as “a disaster zone” as receding floodwaters reveal damage
• Towns between Murwillumbah and Stotts Creek are isolated
• Residents returning to properties in Tweed Heads, Lismore are told to look for wildlife, vermin and snakes that may have taken refuge in the property.

Related Links

• Ex-cyclone batters northern NSW, leaves trail of destruction in Qld
• House swept away minutes after family rescued from roof
• Receding water levels reveal NSW flood destruction
• Thousands of central Qld homes face inundation with flood peak expected
• Extensive damage revealed in northern NSW as floodwaters subside