Almost 1.5 metres of rain fell on the town of Cardwell in the first five days of February, causing flooding to 70 homes.

Queensland’s flood watch zone has been extended as the state’s north prepares for a more rain, which could hamper recovery efforts in the already hard-hit and waterlogged parts of the coast.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to visit Far North Queensland today with plans to visit the flood-affected communities. Two people have died, and hundreds of properties, businesses and farmland have been hit with a deluge of rain in a catastrophic wet weather event.

Flooding has cut the Bruce Highway and other vital transport routes in North Queensland. The worst-affected towns, such as Ingham and Halifax, are relying on Defence Force helicopters to fly in essentials. Some roads are expected to reopen in the next 48 hours.

More extreme rainfall and higher frequencies of flooded rivers and flash floods around the world have a clear link to climate change and ongoing global heating.

Heavy Queensland flooding has claimed a second life, after the body of an elderly woman was discovered. Floodwaters are set to wreak more havoc with heavy rain to continue in the north. Some residents have been allowed to return home though with river levels in Townsville beginning to drop.

The devastating floods gripping Far North Queensland is taking its toll on the racing community, with as many as 10 racetracks in the region hit hard by the freak event.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a $8 million co-funded community relief fund to support affected communities by the floods in far North Queensland. The fund will provide up to $1 million for eight local government associations impacted by the flooding,