Dam spill sparks evacuation order as heavy rainfall pummels Queensland – as the rest of the country swelters
Residents in a small Queensland town have been ordered to leave immediately amid fears of flash flooding as heavy rain continues to lash the region.
An emergency alert was issued for all areas of Einasleigh, in far north Queensland, at 12pm on Tuesday after heavy rain led to spilling of the Copperfield Dam.
‘People in all areas of Einasleigh need to LEAVE IMMEDIATELY,’ Queensland Police said in a statement.
‘Conditions are very dangerous. Bring your emergency kit and move to evacuation point at high part of Einasleigh-Forsyth road away from the flood NOW.
‘Go to Etheridge Shire Council Facebook or disaster dashboard.’
The Welby family, who earlier this month bought the Einasleigh Hote pub, shared their view of the rising river to social media.
“Our view from the Einasleigh Hotel,’ they shared showing rising water.
Publican Tayla Wellby only settled the purchase on Friday, but is now preparing to evacuate the region.
She said that she and a handful of customers had been keeping watch as the Copperfield River surged following heavy rain.
The Copperfield River at Einasleigh, with locals saying they have ‘never seen it higher’
A view of the rapidly rising Copperfield River shared by the owners of the Einasleigh Hotel
Tayla told the ABC that conditions still looked normal at about 6:30am, but by midday the river had risen rapidly enough to submerge the bridge.
Water has now reached the opposite side of Daintree Road.
Meanwhile, heavy rainfall is causing widespread road flooding across north Queensland, with the Bruce Highway blocked at the Seymour River, just north of Ingham.
The affected section of highway, roughly 130 kilometres north of Townsville, was submerged early Tuesday, with motorists warned to expect significant delays.
Authorities have issued a moderate flood alert for the Herbert River, advising residents in the Lower Herbert region that rising waters could soon leave communities isolated.
For life-threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
For non-life-threatening situations – such as assistance with a damaged roof or storm damage – call SES on 132 500.
Down south, a blistering heatwave is gripping south‑east Australia, with temperatures forecast to climb to dangerous levels across parts of Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales.
A major heatwave is gripping Victoria this week (pictured: Melbourne residents in the heat)
Authorities have issued extreme fire danger warnings across several districts in Victoria and South Australia as a severe heatwave intensifies across the south‑east.
In Victoria, firefighters are battling an out‑of‑control bushfire in the Otways in the state’s south, with hot, dry and gusty winds making conditions increasingly volatile.
A Total Fire Ban has been declared statewide for Tuesday, and Melbourne is facing an extreme fire danger rating as temperatures continue to surge.
The heatwave has pushed parts of Victoria to near‑50‑degree extremes.
Walpeup, near Ouyen, reached a blistering 48.7 degrees Celsius, while Mildura sweltered through 47.5 and Warrnambool climbed to 45, breaking long‑standing temperature records across the region.
