LOOKING SKYWARD
WEATHER WRAP:
EX-CYCLONE Iris promises more heavy rains for Cairns over the Easter weekend.
The Bureau of Meteorology expects a high chance of rain from Sunday with falls of up to 60mm forecast on Monday.
Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford said authorities anticipated a huge amount of rain to fall over the weekend as ex-Cyclone Iris heads west.
Mr Crawford said saturated earth across the Far North could not hold any more water.
“It’s a bit of perfect storm beginning to develop,” he said.
“We haven’t lost any lives yet in Queensland and I plan to get through to the other end of Easter and still have a zero tally.”
Swift water rescue crews will be dispatched across the region in locations expected to cop the worst of the flooding.
The grim forecast comes as Redlynch residents clean up after flash floods ripped through The Rocks Rd at about midnight on Tuesday.
Redlynch Valley Tennis Club members yesterday conceded defeat and were contemplating the cost of rebuilding their shattered courts.
“We feel devastated and have no idea yet how to finance a start from scratch,” club member Susi Jacob said.
“Our juniors ... basically lived there after school because they love it so much. “They are heartbroken.” Floodwaters flattened fences and ripped up courts, leaving them buckled beyond repair. The club has launched a crowd-funding appeal on its Facebook page to rebuild the centre
The rains also stranded rail passengers destined for Cairns.
Brenda Langdon, of Gordonvale, was marooned when her Queensland Rail service terminated at Townsville due to bad weather on Tuesday.
She said passengers were not and still had not been offered alternative transport to Cairns.
“There was one woman who was crying because she had no money and nowhere to go,” Ms Langdon said. “There has been no bookings for buses, there’s nothing. “I feel totally deserted.” Queensland Rail travel and tourist general executive manager Martin Ryan said that passengers had been advised of the possible disruption and had gone ahead despite being offered alternative dates.
“Flooding in the region has also cut the Bruce Highway between Tully and Ingham, normal alternative arrangements through the area are currently not an option,” Mr Ryan said.
Greg Langdon just wants to know how his wife will get home.