Western Queensland Flood Clean-Up: Residents Return
Emergency crews are continuing to assist with response and cleanup efforts across western Queensland, as river heights start receding in some areas enough to allow residents to return home for the first time in weeks.
Some Adavale residents who were evacuated on March 27 due to fast-rising floodwaters, returned home for the first time this week to assess the extent of the damage to their properties.
While the floodwaters have receded in the township, the only way into the community until recently, has been by air.
State Emergency Service (SES) personnel have been flown into the town this week to start the cleanup and are assisting with washouts of impacted properties.
Both the police and SES have also been working to ensure the animals are fed and looked after while their owners are away.
During the height of the flooding in town, Adavale Senior Constable Chris Seng, along with another resident, succeeded in starting a tinnie that had not been operated in years, and used it to ferry people who were standing in chest deep water, to safety.
Senior Constable Seng said now that road access is returning, locals can start turning their attention to the cleanup and recovery.
“We’ve been doing what we can to start the cleanup and make sure the animals are well looked after while people still couldn’t access the town,” Senior Constable Seng said.
“I know returning home to see the damage will be difficult.
“But the SES has been here every day helping to get the recovery process underway, helping to feed the animals, and starting washouts to remove the mud and debris from properties.”
Adavale is just one of several isolated communities that have been cut off by the ongoing flooding.
State government and privately contracted aerial assets have been deployed to both Longreach and Charleville Districts to assist with re-fuelling and resupply activities for isolated communities.
They have also been undertaking fodder drops for isolated properties and remote stations.
Most of the river heights are starting to recede, and it is expected more people will return home in the coming days and weeks, as flood waters eventually subside.
There are currently 77 SES members active throughout Western and Southern Queensland supporting affected communities.
SES Incident Controller David Bennett said the organisation has been working through multiple requests for assistance across these communities.
“SES crews are committed to helping and will respond as conditions allow,” Mr Bennett said.
“Planning is underway for additional SES deployments to support communities and assist with the clean-up as water recedes and necessary services such as water are restored.”
For emergency assistance during severe weather events, visit 132500.qld.gov.au, download the SES Assistance QLD App, or call 132 500.
For updated disaster information, visit your local council’s Disaster Dashboard.
https://mypolice.qld.gov.au/news/2025/04/12/clean-up-efforts-continue-across-western-queensland-as-evacuated-residents-return-home-to-flood-impacted-communities/