Australia floodwaters. More than 300 residents were rescued.

Overnight rescues saved more than 300 people from floodwaters in northeast Australia on Monday, December 18. With residents clinging to roofs, officials reported the closure of Cairns Airport due to flooding, raising concerns about potential drinking water loss for the city's 160,000 residents. While rain eased in Cairns, severe weather warnings covered Port Douglas, Daintree, Cooktown, Wujal Wujal, and Hope Vale, with additional rain in the forecast. Queensland's Police Commissioner described the flooding as absolutely devastating.

Wujal Wujal faced a Category 2 tropical cyclone's proximity, causing minimal damage but persistent heavy rains, leading to road closures, community isolation, and 14,000 power outages on Monday.