Flying to help flood-hit north

Moreton Bay SES volunteers are jetting north to help rescue and recovery efforts in flood-ravaged Townsville and Ingham.

Ten members of the Moreton Bay unit left Brisbane yesterday and six more are scheduled to depart tomorrow.

The deployment takes with it a wide mix of skills including flood boat operations, chainsaw operations and working safely at heights.

Moreton Bay SES members will join colleagues from across Queensland who have answered the call following days of record-breaking rain.

Townsville alone has had more than 900m in the last week causing rivers and reservoirs in the region to overflow.

Indeed, reports suggest, in the last five days, Paluma has received 1936mm of rain, Cardwell Gap 1808mm and Ingham 1362mm.

Officials on the ground estimate more than 2000 homes may also be inundated before flood waters start to recede.

Many people have been displaced by the floods and there are now concerns over drinking water supplies.

In a Facebook post from Brisbane Airport they said: “Moreton Bay SES Unit and its members are always proud to support other parts of the state in times of need.”

SES Northern added: “We are working hard to gain access into our isolated communities, with the RAF and Army airlifting additional volunteers into Ingham this afternoon.”

Moreton Bay SES Unit has public information nights on joining SES starting next week.

For details visit www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/Services/Disaster-Management/SES