Australia news live: Queensland premier tells residents of six Townsville suburbs ‘leave by midday’ as flooding intensifies

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‘Incredible’ levels of rainfall in north Queensland: premier

David Crisafulli has advised those in Townsville subject to evacuation orders to stay with friends and family, or if that is not an option, to seek shelter at an evacuation shelter at Heartleigh.

Your safety is more important than anything else.

Some of the falls that we saw overnight in different parts were, quite frankly, at incredible levels. One suburb got 620mm in the 20 hours to 6am. That is over 0.5m of water in less than a day. That should give you a perspective of how big it is.

I am asking people to heed this. Yesterday we spoke about the black zones, and we had around 170 crews go and/or knock and say to people please prepare, get ready to leave. Well, today I am asking people in those areas to leave by midday.

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