8 Feb 2009

Flooding continues in North Queensland

7:33 am on 8 February 2009

Flash floods and king tides were expected overnight in North Queensland.

More heavy rain is also expected between Cairns and Mackay on Sunday morning.

Emergency services have been concentrating on restocking food and essential supplies to isolated communities and residents in the worst affected town of Ingham, north of Townsville.

Hundreds of people are unable to return to their homes.

Some 62% of the state is already a disaster area - 35 shires are affected. About one million square km are underwater.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd told Parliament on Thursday the damage bill was $A100 million and rising.