The Defence Force is ready to assist flood-affected communities in Far North Queensland as the region grapples with record-breaking rainfall and widespread flooding.
The Herbert River at Ingham Pump Station is projected to reach 15 metres today, just shy of the 1967 flood level of 15.2 metres. The river is expected to continue rising before peaking tomorrow.
One person has tragically died, and more than 400 residents are currently taking refuge in six evacuation centres. Emergency services responded to 480 calls for help overnight and conducted 11 swift-water rescues.
On higher ground
Over the past few days, parts of the region have received over 1200mm of rain, and floodwaters are expected to keep rising until tomorrow morning.
Neos Kosmos spoke with Bill Malandris, the Greek Glendi coordinator and a key figure in Townsville’s Greek community.
Malandris, who resides in Aitkenvale—on higher ground—said: “We had 1,144mm of rain from Friday lunchtime to 8:30 this morning.”
While his home was safe, he noted, “We had lots of local flooding; we haven’t been out, but our house is high here so it’s not a great problem.”
Greece’s honorary consul in Queensland, George Mastrocostas, contacted Malandris saying “I thanked him for his call and his concern.”
At 76, Malandris reflected on past weather patterns, recalling his school days in the 1960s.
“We always knew that around Australia Day it would always start raining.”
He remains sceptical of climate change’s role in this event.
“It’s just natural to bear in mind that in North Queensland, it’s just the wet season—it’s what happens.”
Explaining the monsoon cycle, he said that “the monsoon comes down from Singapore, Indonesia, through to Papua New Guinea and lands somewhere between us and Cairns, bringing a lot of water”.
Comparing this flood to the catastrophic 2019 flood he said, “It’s a little bit more widespread and not as severe as the calamity of 2019.”
Regarding the impact on lower-lying areas, he speculated, “Maybe the monsoon will move back up towards Indonesia—it’s a cycle.”
When asked about any crocodile sightings, Malandris laughed, saying that while Innisfail has more due to its creeks, “down here in Townsville, you might see one, rarely, but they set up traps and take them back.”
Praise for the authorities
Neos Kosmos also spoke with Maria Gianoulis, the stall coordinator for the Townsville Glendi, who said that some residents have been forced to evacuate.
“I know that some of the families have evacuated out of their houses and obviously gone to relatives,” Gianoulis said.
She said the community is anxiously awaiting the peak of the flooding.
“We are all waiting for the actual peak, which seems to be peaking tomorrow morning.”
Like many others, Gianoulis has stayed indoors since the downpour began.
“We haven’t also been out anywhere because, you know, the last few days have been heavy rains.”
With many major supermarkets either closed or cut off by floodwaters, food access has become a concern.
“You go to the shop only if you need something—but it is difficult.”
She stressed the logistical issues caused by road closures.
“Not that you’d be travelling but getting food and groceries in is an issue.”
Queensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie urged residents to remain calm, dismissing concerns about food shortages after images of empty supermarket shelves circulated online.
He reassured the public that the region has at least six weeks’ worth of food supplies in warehouses.
However, she commended the authorities: “They’re giving updates… they are keeping everyone up to date on that.”
Emergency responders, including police and the army, have been assisting the community.
“We have had the police and the army helping and door-knocking,” Bleijie said.
Greek Community ready to assist
Greek Community of Townsville spokesperson Cosmas Gianoulis told Neos Kosmos that they have been checking in on the community.
“We have reached out to the members of the Greek community, and it seems they are all okay,” Gianoulis told Neos Kosmos.
The continuous rain has left people restless – stuck indoors.
“We are all going a bit stir-crazy not being able to leave our homes due to the rain.”
He added that assistance is available for those in need and that the Community is “ready to assist anyone that needs it.”
For those stranded by floodwaters and in need of essentials, he advised them to contact local disaster management for assistance.
