Two feared dead in Townsville flood

Hermit Park suburb. They were pulled to safety just in time, with their car almost fully submerged.

During the 48 hours to 5am on yesterday, the State Emergency Service received almost 1200 calls for help, mostly from Townsville residents requesting sandbags and supplies.

The water level in Ross River Dam has continued to fall after the floodgates were fully opened about 9pm on Sunday as the dam neared 250 per cent capacity.

The level had dropped to almost 200 per cent by 6.30am yesterday.

Rain was still coming as emergency workers used boats, helicopters and tiptrucks to rescue more than 1000 residents from Townsville’s flooded suburbs.

They were helped by citizens, including some in a fleet of tinnies who braved murky floodwater filled with snakes and crocodiles to help their neighbours.

Townsville mayor Jenny Hill vented her frustration after some residents in areas predicted to be inundated had to be asked to leave twice.

‘‘You can’t say you weren’t warned something might happen,’’ she said.

‘‘What do we have to do to make people move?’’

Scenes from the floods showed grimfaced residents carrying pets and whatever they could as they waded to dry land.

Large numbers of local schools and childcare centres remained closed yesterday and Townsville courthouses were also shut.

The monsoon trough dumping the rain has begun moving south but is unpredictable and dangerous conditions are expected to continue for the next 24 hours.

Up to 500 homes have been inundated by floodwater in Townsville, although there are fears 2000 more may have been damaged.– Fairfax/aap