Cyclone Ellie

Townsville, AU - Mime - Wednesday, February 11th, 2009 : goo

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The recent cyclone Ellie created flood waters that many locals had never seen the likes of before and, coupled with a seasonal king tide, set new records for flooding and rainfall in North Queensland.

The small township of Ingham, one hour north of here was completely isolated for about a week, enduring two thorough drenchings within a week, causing mass evacuation as lower levels of housing disappeared completely beneath the waters.

These are photos I took during a lull in the wind and rain about a week ago in Townsville. The setting is a short ride from where I live, taken from the banks of Ross River, the main watercourse through the city.

This is a depth marker set at the top of one of the rivers' weirs. It reads 1.1 metres.

The safest place to leave your thongs while having a flood picnic is on the roof (obviously.)

1.1m of water spilling over the wall...

From a slightly different angle, you can see the ridge created by the water surfacing after plunging over the wall. The noise was compared to a jumbo taking off.

Taken a few days later at a different bridge, while getting a lift around town (my main mode of transport is motorbike.) The trees forming an island in the middle of shot are usually the banks of the river.

On Monday 9 February 2009, we had received rain every day since Christmas day. That's well past the biblical forty days and forty nights.

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