Gina Papp of Ingham, North Queensland, is approaching ten days without electricity following severe flooding that engulfed her town. While the waters have now receded, they left behind extensive damage, particularly mould, which is creeping throughout her home. Without power, the sewage pump in her property is inoperative, complicating the clean-up. At 69, Papp, who relocated from Brisbane six months prior, expressed her determination not to be deterred by the flooding. She appreciates the sense of community in Ingham, contrasting it with her previous experiences in a larger city.
Thousands of residents join Papp in the challenging task of clearing out water-damaged possessions while anticipating potential heavy rain, with forecasts suggesting an additional 300mm could fall within a day. North Queensland recently experienced its highest February rainfall, measuring 1033mm in the first week alone, and weather conditions are expected to remain wet into mid-week. In the meantime, an interim bridge will open tonight for essential services, and will become accessible to general traffic the day after.