Wildlife threat in Australia flood city
Source: Agencies |
January 5, 2011, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
RESIDENTS of an Australian city cut off by some of the country's worst flooding in decades are being warned to stay out of the water, and not just because of the risk of being swept away. Debris, snakes and even crocodiles could also pose a danger.
Large parts of the city of Rockhampton were under water yesterday. Waters were still rising, with the population bracing for the floods' expected peak in the next 24 hours as an inland sea spawned by heavy rain across Queensland drains toward the ocean.
Residents on boats made their way through Rockhampton's flooded streets, while police checked houses to see whether they were occupied.
Authorities have warned residents to stay out of floodwaters for their own safety, saying the biggest risk is from fast-moving currents powerful enough to sweep cars from roadways. At least two people have drowned after being swept away in their cars.
Mayor Brad Carter has also said residents have reported seeing higher than usual numbers of snakes, as the animals look for dry ground. He has also noted that saltwater crocodiles have been spotted in the Fitzroy River.
"We do not think they are a risk to public safety if people keep out of the waters, but if people do enter the waters, their safety cannot be guaranteed," Carter told The Australian newspaper.
Animal welfare worker Wendy Hilcher said fears about snakes and crocodiles were hampering her group's efforts to rescue pets left behind by people who had left their homes in flooded areas.
"It's not just the safety -aspect of getting to these places, it's what's in the water itself," said Hilcher. "If it gets too dangerous, we have to get out of there."
Large parts of the city of Rockhampton were under water yesterday. Waters were still rising, with the population bracing for the floods' expected peak in the next 24 hours as an inland sea spawned by heavy rain across Queensland drains toward the ocean.
Residents on boats made their way through Rockhampton's flooded streets, while police checked houses to see whether they were occupied.
Authorities have warned residents to stay out of floodwaters for their own safety, saying the biggest risk is from fast-moving currents powerful enough to sweep cars from roadways. At least two people have drowned after being swept away in their cars.
Mayor Brad Carter has also said residents have reported seeing higher than usual numbers of snakes, as the animals look for dry ground. He has also noted that saltwater crocodiles have been spotted in the Fitzroy River.
"We do not think they are a risk to public safety if people keep out of the waters, but if people do enter the waters, their safety cannot be guaranteed," Carter told The Australian newspaper.
Animal welfare worker Wendy Hilcher said fears about snakes and crocodiles were hampering her group's efforts to rescue pets left behind by people who had left their homes in flooded areas.
"It's not just the safety -aspect of getting to these places, it's what's in the water itself," said Hilcher. "If it gets too dangerous, we have to get out of there."
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