Environment

Australia flood washes crocodiles onto streets

by JeffHuang | February 4, 2009 at 11:29 am

1377 views | 17 Recommendations | 4 comments

Recent cyclones have put 60 percent of Queensland into a state of disaster with floods affecting almost 3,000 homes. More than 360 millimetres of rain fell in 24 hours as the Australian flood damage is an estimated $76 million US with figures possibly doubling or even tripling after the water subsides.
Towns of Normanton and Karumba had fresh food supplies flown in as the towns were cut off by flood waters.

The region is bracing for further floods, with a tropical low pressure system threatening to develop into a cyclone about 150 kilometres (93 miles) off Queensland's north coast, forecasters said.

"The conditions -- as far as meteorological conditions are concerned -- are quite favourable for the system to once again develop into a tropical cyclone," a weather bureau spokesman said.

The floods came amid a record once-in-a-century heatwave in south-eastern Australia, in which 29 houses were razed by major wildfires and up to 35 people died.

Meteorologists have warned the extreme temperatures and downpours -- a common feature of Australian summers -- would only increase as a result of climate change.

The Queensland flood is washing crocodiles onto the streets where a car ran over a 5.2ft long croc causing bruises and lost teeth. Another 13ft long crocodile was seen stalking residents and dogs on the flooded main street.

Local media said huge crocodiles in the centre of some towns around the Gulf of Carpentaria have hampered rescue efforts and large numbers have reportedly been seen swimming towards the 60 km-wide (37-mile) mouth of the flooded Norman River.

Manager of the Albion Hotel in Normanton, Donna Smith, said a four-metre (13ft) crocodile had been seen stalking residents and dogs in the flooded main street.

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Davo5052

at 15:00 on February 4th, 2009

Townsville in Far North Queensland has received 1,099mm (43 inches) of rain since the new year. 242mm (9.5 inches) fell in one day as tropical cyclone Ellie swept across the city on Tuesday 3rd February.

The sheer volume of water has overwhelmed the city and streets have been transformed into rivers in full spate.

Drivers have been warned to take care as turtles, freshwater and saltwater crocodiles have taken to the streets.

Rail and road access to Townsville have been cut leaving the town dependent on air transport only.

Davo5052 has contributed a photo to this story.

JeffHuang

at 08:05 on February 5th, 2009

Thanks for your photo and additional information dav5052

Paschen

at 19:12 on February 4th, 2009

I do not think that the Crocodile nor the resident do appreciate this to much. That is a lot of water with in 24 hours.

lefty_liberated

at 00:43 on February 10th, 2009

Well the croc might have appreciated the unfortunate five year old it had as a snack which is the tragic story that emerged from the floods, which also reflects the seriousness of the situation.