Flood emergency warning continues for Clermont as ex-Cyclone Koji moves west
By Charmayne Allison, Johanna Marie and Josh Dye, ABC News
Bouldercombe, in the Rockhamption region, also received heavy rains. Photo: Lauren Clein / supplied
A flood emergency warning remains in place for the central Queensland town of Clermont, as already-saturated western communities are being warned of possible heavy rains from ex-Cyclone Koji.
Swift water rescue crews saved three people stuck in floodwaters overnight in Clermont, about three hours south-west of Mackay.
Two men became trapped on the roof of a truck on the Gregory Highway about 2:40am, while another person on the roof of a vehicle was pulled to safety a few hours later.
Two more people made their own way to safety after being stuck on the roof of a car on the Gregory Highway about 7.40pm on Monday.
The Sandy Creek at Clermont Bridge peaked at just over 11 metres at 2.30pm and water has begun receding overnight with lighter rain and thunderstorms expected today.
An emergency warning for flash flooding remains current after being issued yesterday afternoon, with residents in low-lying areas urged to move to higher ground.
More than 300 properties are without power in the town as flooding hampers repair efforts.
Flash flooding has significantly affected Clermont. Photo: Bush Heli-Services / supplied
Isaac Regional Council established a place of refuge at Clermont State School, with people in low-lying areas told to monitor conditions and be prepared to move to higher ground.
The council advised Sandy Creek was rising fast, warning evacuation routes could be cut off by floodwaters.
The council's Mayor Kelly Vea Vea said properties in low-lying areas were being inundated, and urged people to stay safe as the water continues to rise.
"Stay put and stay off the roads if possible," she said.
"We know that people like to go out and have a look around at floodwaters. We're really urging people to take extra precautions."
Western communities warned
Rains battering large swathes of north and central Queensland have begun to ease, with the system now expected to weaken further and move west and north-west through the Gulf Country.
Major flood warnings remain in place for the lower Flinders River and the Georgina, Connors, Isaac and Mackenzie rivers.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has warned already-sodden western communities should also stay on high alert, as Koji continues to crawl westward.
"You've got areas that have had an immense amount of rainfall, some of them more than a year's fall in a week period. Those catchments are swollen," he said.
"Further rain there could be devastating."
A flood emergency warning is in place for Clermont. (Supplied: David Gordon) Photo: David Gordon / supplied
Eungella, a town of about 200 people an hour west of Mackay, was left completely isolated yesterday by floodwaters, with no food or medical supplies able to get through.
Authorities said the main road in and out of the community had been seriously damaged by the ex-cyclone, with the back road into the town also impassable.
People in impacted communities across the state were reminded to keep across warnings and stay out of floodwaters, with the SES responding to about 150 call-outs in recent days.
Mr Crisafulli highlighted there had been no loss of life reported from the ex-cyclone.
"That is the most important thing in a disaster," he said.
About 4000 homes remain without power across the state.
Authorities have issued an Emergency warning for flash flooding at Clermont in central Queensland. Photo: David Gordon / supplied
'We need everyone's help'
Meanwhile, communities across north and central Queensland have begun clean-up efforts, as floodwaters subside.
In Finch Hatton, an hour west of Mackay, floodwaters inundated the local service station for the first time since it was built about 60 years ago.
"We've never, ever seen anything like this before, where the water has come up so quickly and so high," administration manager Lisa Zarb said.
The water damaged hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of stock.
"We're normally the ones that are helping everyone else, so now is the time that we need everyone's help too," she said.
The Finch Hatton service station was inundated by floodwaters. (ABC News: Johanna Marie) Photo: ABC News: Johanna Marie
Clean-up also continues along the coast, with authorities saying about 20 vessels were damaged as Koji passed through.
Airlie Beach tourists Noel and Pat Harrison, whose travel plans have been hampered by the wild weather, said it was tough to witness from their hotel.
"It was sad to see the boats losing anchor and one that was totally destroyed," Mr Harrison said.
"There were a few tragedies there."
- ABC News