Rainfall presents dangers

IT is timely to remind people of the dangers that can be associated with heavy downpours like the one experienced by parts of Townsville on the weekend.

Despite regular warnings about the risks posed by flash flooding (“If it’s flooded, forget it”) people are still refusing to take notice.

The weekend downpour was intense. Some parts of Townsville received over 200mm in the 24 hours to 9am yesterday with the majority falling on Saturday afternoon.

The Bureau of Meteorology had warned on Friday for the potential of more storms on the weekend after several downpours last week and advised of the potential for a severe thunderstorm and flash flooding in the hours before Saturday’s deluge.

With the likelihood of these dangerous conditions prevailing, it is frustrating for emergency services workers that the warnings were not heeded.

A woman is lucky to be alive after being rescued from Crystal Creek after slipping on a rock, hitting her head and going under the water for what onlookers said was about two minutes.

Thankfully, this incident ended with the woman being rescued and revived by a group of quick- thinking bystanders, but it could have had a much more tragic outcome.

With more rain forecast for this week, residents need to heed warnings issued by the Bureau of Meteorology and emergency services. The potential for serious injury or death is very real if those warnings are ignored. Common sense has to be applied.

On a more positive note, the rain has been much- needed for the city’s water supply.

The Ross River Dam level, which was at 14.7 per cent capacity early this month, has jumped over 18 per cent.

Hopefully, more rainfall this week can continue to add to that level and provide a reprieve from the expensive pumping of water from Burdekin Dam. An easing of water restrictions still looks some way off.