Flash Floods Strand Drivers In Northern Queensland, Two Rescued With Minor Injuries After Ordeal

Cairns, Australia— Two motorists were dragged from rising water after flash flooding cut through rural roads in Northern Queensland, stranding cars and forcing road closures across the region.

The flooding hit after intense rainfall late Friday morning. More than 90 millimeters fell in two hours around the Atherton Tablelands catchment. Creeks that were dry at dawn rose over a meter. Water swept across low-level crossings with no warning.

Police said a utility and a small hatchback were caught trying to cross a flooded causeway west of Cairns. Both vehicles stalled mid-crossing. Water pushed the hatchback sideways. The drivers climbed onto their roofs and called for help.

State Emergency Service crews reached them using a high-clearance truck and ropes. Both were brought to the bank cold and shaken. Queensland Ambulance treated them for minor cuts, bruises and mild hypothermia. They did not need hospital admission.

"We tell people every season not to drive through floodwater and we still pull cars out," an SES team leader said. "These two are lucky. The water was moving fast and had debris in it."

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the district just after 10 a.m. It warned of life-threatening flash flooding. Several unsealed roads were closed. One school bus route was diverted. Power flickered in two small townships but was restored.

Farmers reported paddocks underwater and fences down. One grazier said he moved cattle to higher ground when his gauge hit 50 millimeters in 30 minutes. Local council crews placed warning signs and barricades at eight crossings.

The region has seen repeated flash flood events this year due to saturated soils. Roads that normally handle wet season flows were already soft. Engineers will inspect two bridges for scouring before reopening.

Water levels were dropping by late afternoon. Crews will remain on standby overnight as more showers are forecast.