Quick Read
- Einasleigh, Far North Queensland, is under an emergency ‘LEAVE IMMEDIATELY’ evacuation order due to flash flooding.
- The Copperfield Dam is overflowing by more than 6 meters after 250mm of rain fell overnight in its catchment.
- Water levels in the Copperfield River are rising rapidly, reportedly by a meter per hour.
- Roads, including Gregory Developmental Road and Gilbert River Bridge, are closed, isolating the community.
- Residents are warned of potential full inundation of single-story homes and loss of essential services.
EINASLEIGH (Azat TV) – Residents of Einasleigh in Far North Queensland’s Gulf Country are undergoing an emergency evacuation following a “LEAVE IMMEDIATELY” warning issued by the Etheridge Shire Council on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. The urgent directive comes as flash flooding from the Copperfield River and Dam has created ‘very dangerous’ conditions, with water levels rapidly rising to what some locals describe as the highest in living memory, threatening homes and cutting off vital road links.
The emergency alert, issued at 12 pm on Tuesday, specifically warned residents in all areas of Einasleigh to evacuate immediately, emphasizing that lives are at risk. The council and local authorities have urged people to move to a designated evacuation point on the higher parts of Einasleigh-Forsayth Road, bringing emergency kits, as single-story buildings face potential full inundation and emergency services may become unable to conduct rescues.
Copperfield Dam Overflows Amid Torrential Rain
The immediate cause of the crisis is the unprecedented overflow of the Copperfield Dam, which is spilling more than six meters over its spillway. Etheridge Shire Mayor Barry Hughes confirmed that the region recorded an astonishing 250 millimeters of rainfall in the Copperfield River system’s catchment overnight. This torrential downpour has dramatically increased the inflow of water, leading to the rapid rise of the Copperfield River, with some reports indicating a meter-per-hour increase in water levels.
Mayor Hughes stated that the exact timing of the flood’s peak remains unknown, noting the area’s vulnerability due to its proximity to a low-pressure system embedded in the monsoon trough. He highlighted the ongoing heavy downpours across the catchments of the Gilbert, Robertson, Copperfield, and Einasleigh river systems, underscoring the community’s reliance on the whims of ‘Mother Nature.’
Community Confronts Unprecedented Inundation
The impact of the flooding is already severe and widespread. QLDTraffic confirmed the closure of Gregory Developmental Road between Einasleigh and Gulf Developmental Road, effectively isolating the community. The Gilbert River Bridge, located between Croydon and Georgetown, has also been closed due to heavy rainfall, further hindering regional connectivity. The Etheridge Shire Council explicitly warned that roads and bridges might be cut off, and essential services like power, phones, internet, and water could cease to function.
First-hand accounts paint a grim picture of the unfolding disaster. Chelsea Mosch, at Jardine Station north of Einasleigh, described the water rising ‘pretty quickly,’ stating she had ‘never seen the water rise so quickly at the station before.’ Tayla Wellby, who recently purchased the Einasleigh Hotel, reported that water had already entered the pub and was still rising. She recounted that the former publican, with 26 years of experience, had never witnessed such high flood levels. Ms. Wellby and her family, along with a handful of customers, were preparing to retreat to a nearby hill on the advice of locals, having only recently relocated 300 kilometers inland from Townsville.
Broader Regional Flood Warnings
While Einasleigh faces the most critical situation, other parts of North Queensland are also experiencing significant flooding. The Bruce Highway north of Ingham, near Seymour River, was cut early on Tuesday, leading to lengthy delays for drivers. A moderate flood warning has been issued for the Herbert River, with communities in the Lower Herbert area anticipated to become isolated. Hinchinbrook Shire Mayor Ramon Jayo advised residents in the Lower Herbert to consider their travel plans immediately, though he did not expect major flooding comparable to the devastating events of early 2025 in his shire.
The coordinated emergency response from the Etheridge Shire Council, coupled with the explicit warnings about the severity and speed of the rising waters, underscores the critical nature of this event, distinguishing it from routine wet season conditions and necessitating immediate action to protect human life.