UPDATE: A heroic police officer has been lauded for his brave actions in Normanton, Queensland, after entering crocodile-infested floodwaters to recover a body following a tragic drowning incident. The man, aged in his 70s, was discovered in a submerged vehicle amidst severe monsoonal flooding on December 26, 2023.
As floodwaters continue to rise, dozens of roads remain closed and entire communities are isolated across the outback region. Acting Superintendent Paul Austin of the Mount Isa District praised the quick response of emergency services, stating, “If he hadn’t done what he did, it certainly would have made it a very difficult operation to try and retrieve that vehicle with the deceased in it.”
The courageous officer entered deep waters despite the lurking risk of large crocodiles in the Norman River, showcasing exceptional bravery. “What he did was very courageous,” Austin added, highlighting the life-threatening conditions faced by responders.
Queensland Premier David Crisfulli expressed his condolences for the local community, emphasizing the profound impact of the loss. He stated, “To experience a loss of life as a result of the flooding is a deep tragedy for the North West community.” Crisfulli further noted the focus on infrastructure rebuilding, stating, “We have to make sure that people remain connected.”
Local mayor, Janene Fegan, warned that it could take weeks to assess the full extent of damage and livestock losses caused by the relentless rains. “It doesn’t look good in parts of the northwest of our shire,” she said, as conditions improved slightly on Wednesday, allowing some graziers to deploy helicopters for damage assessments.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, isolated heavy rainfall of up to 100mm is still possible in affected districts, and rain and thunderstorms are expected to persist through the weekend. Meteorologist Miriam Bradbury confirmed that while conditions will gradually ease, serious weather risks remain.
Disaster relief has been activated for five councils in North Queensland, as authorities scramble to address the extensive flooding that has resulted from the heavy monsoonal rains. The situation is critical, with emergency services continuing their efforts to assist affected residents.
Residents are urged to remain vigilant as conditions remain unpredictable, with reports indicating that water levels could surpass those recorded in 2019. The community’s resilience is being put to the test as they navigate this ongoing crisis.
Stay tuned for further updates as this developing story unfolds.
