Police Warn Against Floodwater Driving

Queensland police are urging motorists to avoid driving through floodwaters as further heavy rain is forecast across northern parts of the state. Authorities are monitoring a tropical low off the eastern coastline that could bring widespread rainfall in the coming week.

Acting Townsville District Chief Superintendent Dean Cavanagh said drivers should check road conditions before travelling and follow the advice: “If it is flooded, forget it.” He warned that floodwater can conceal dangerous currents, damaged roads and other hazards, while vehicles can lose power or be swept away in as little as 15 centimetres of water.

Emergency crews have carried out several floodwater rescues in recent days. On January 5, a 79-year-old man was winched from the roof of a campervan near Dimbulah, west of Cairns. The following day, a man, a woman and a dog were rescued from a stranded vehicle on the Camooweal–Urandangi Road near Mount Isa. Police later charged a 25-year-old Northern Territory man with driving without due care and attention.

Police said driving through floodwater where warning signs are present is an offence, and motorists may also receive infringement notices for careless driving. Drivers have been advised to slow down, expect livestock on roads as animals move to higher ground, and keep children away from floodwater, which may contain strong currents, debris, contaminated water and wildlife such as snakes and rodents. Residents are urged to monitor local council disaster dashboards and Bureau of Meteorology warnings for updates.