Townsville resident David Mitchell sweeps out his muddy garage after floodwaters receded in the suburb of Rosslea. Photo: GettyThe damage bill is rising in Townsville as the floodwaters fall and residents mop up in the wake of the deadly and unprecedented floods. In parts of the north Queensland city, residents have been hosing down their mud-filled houses and throwing out flood-damaged belongings for days while some suburbs remain waterlogged. Back in Townsville, damage assessment has begun and the Insurance Council of Australia had more than 6500 claims worth $80 million on Wednesday. Major flood warnings remain in place for the Herbert, Haughton, Upper Burdekin, Flinders, Cloncurry and Leichhardt rivers.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 06, 2019 21:00 UTC