Personnel wade in to assist during Qld flooding

As residents in Far North Queensland braced for flooding in the wake of heavy rainfall and damaging winds, Army personnel from Townsville’s 3rd Brigade, Lavarack Barracks, supported the Queensland Police Service (QPS) with door-knocking throughout at-risk areas.

CAPTION: Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, support the Queensland Police Service with door-knocking during severe weather in Townsville. Story by Major Diana Jennings. Photos by Corporal Riley Blennerhassett.

Following a request for Defence Assistance to the Civil Community (DACC), soldiers and supporting liaison officers from the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR), began the task on February 1.

QPS officers, soldiers and emergency services personnel waded through rising water to visit thousands of at-risk residences, identifying vulnerable people who needed assistance, and encouraging residents to leave before conditions worsened.

Commander 3rd Brigade, Brigadier Ben McLennan, said it was a privilege to be part of the Townsville community and to provide support to the local emergency services.

“We’re fortunate to live and work in Australia’s premier garrison city, and this type of event emphasises the cohesion and resilience of this community, as well as the great work of our local emergency services,” Brigadier McLennan said.

He thanked his soldiers for volunteering to help.

“We’ve had more soldiers volunteer to help than we need and that is a testament to their willingness to get out there and get their socks wet to help the community,” Brigadier McLennan said.

“In our darkest moments, the best of humanity comes out, and you can really see that in the Townsville community during times like this.”

The Ross River Dam reached 155.72 per cent capacity at midday on February 2, and was set to continue rising, prompting evacuation warnings for residents across the region.

CAPTION: Soldiers support the Queensland Police Service, during severe weather, to ensure the safety of residents in high-risk areas.

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