'Difficult time' for Far North Qld as communities deal with effects of flooding

QFES Far Northern Region Assistant Commissioner Brad Commens says it’s been a “very busy and difficult time” for Far North Queensland as communities deal with the repercussions of the recent flooding. He said to help them get back on their feet, there have been at least an additional 100 people from the Fire and Rescue Service, Rural Fire Service and SES deployed to assist in the affected areas. “As a result, our Fire and Rescue crews have completed more than 1,700 damage assessments following the flood and they’re assisting us to build our washout program,” he told Sky News Australia. He said a "washout" is when firetrucks are used to help wash out mud and debris from houses and businesses after a premises is flooded. “We’ve already washed out more than 50 houses and we’ve got more than 100 on the box to be done today."