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Townsville Airport has been closed for safety reasons due to severe flooding in the region.
Authorities made the decision to close the airport on Sunday evening as the city faced what Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk described as a once in a century event.
Townsville Airport said in an update on its Facebook page the airport would remain closed on Monday.
“Please understand this decision has been made with the safety of our passengers, staff and contractors in mind,” the airport said.
“Our decision is made with the advice of Townsville City Council’s Local Disaster Management Group.
“Any change to our status will be posted immediately on our social media pages and online, so please stay tuned.”
ABC News reporter Josh Bavas posted this photo at Townsville Airport on his Twitter page on on Sunday just as the airport was declared closed
Townsville Airport has just closed. No more flights in or out until further notice. Took this pic at the airport earlier this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/jo0wvtRgB6
— Josh Bavas (@JoshBavas) February 3, 2019
Townsville Airport asked passengers not to travel to the airport as the terminal was shut.
Virgin Australia has cancelled a total of eight flights into and out of Townsville to Brisbane and Sydney on Monday, according to a message posted on its website. The status of flights scheduled for later in the day would be advised on Monday afternoon, with affected passengers to be contacted directly via SMS and email.
Qantas said on its website it would be rebooking alternate travel plans for those affected by cancelled flights.
Jetstar said on its website passengers on cancelled flights could log into their booking online and choose a new flight at no extra cost or get a credit voucher.
Tigerair Australia does not fly to Townsville.
Townsville Airport said vehicles in the car park were not affected by flooding.
The heavy rains led authorities to open the floodgates at the Ross River Dam, following an estimated 450mm of rain that has fallen over the catchment in the 24 hours to Monday morning.
A look at the state of the floods from Brisbane’s Courier Mail Twitter page.
VIDEO: The moment the floodgates of the Ross River Dam automatically tripped open in Townsville yesterday. Video: Neilly Group Engineering via Storyful.
Read the latest: https://t.co/HdhCMsHZ3Z pic.twitter.com/svo3iYkhGJ— The Courier-Mail (@couriermail) February 3, 2019
