Tourism takes a hit from Cairns flooding
Although tourism attractions in Cairns have started re-opening, holiday cancellations for December and January have hit the region hard.
disaster and accident
Flood funding to get far north Qld back up and running
A funding package has been announced by the prime minister on a visit to Queensland's flood-ravaged far north amid concern for residents and the tourism sector.
Third home lost in bushfire, residents return to ruins
A fast-moving blaze has destroyed three homes in Perth's eastern hills with WA's fire commissioner describing conditions as above catastrophic.
Uninsured won’t be left behind in flood clean-up
People hit by flooding in far north Queensland who could not afford insurance will still be looked after, the federal government says.
Hundreds of calls for help as storms blanket NSW
The NSW State Emergency Service has responded to hundreds of calls for assistance in the past 24-hours, with residents told to prepare for a wet Christmas.
Tinnie Army hailed as heroes after flooding rescues
Amazing stories of rescues are emerging after a Tinnie Army was mobilised during devastating flooding caused by Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
Town overcomes setbacks to welcome flood evacuees
Cooktown was one of the worst hit by record rainfall caused by Tropical Cyclone Jasper but locals still welcomed evacuees from a flood-hit Aboriginal community.
Cape York braces for flooding as Jasper could intensify
Ex-tropical cyclone Jasper is still having an impact on far north Queensland eight days after hitting the coast and could intensify again on Christmas Day.
BOM defended amid criticism of emergency alerts
The Bureau of Meteorology has defended its warning systems following criticism about its forecasting and alerts.
Northwest China earthquake death toll increases to 127
At least 127 people have been killed, hundreds more injured and houses and roads seriously damaged by an earthquake in northwest China.
Stranded residents evacuated from Aboriginal community
Wujal Wujal residents have been welcomed in Cooktown after being evacuated from the Aboriginal community on Tuesday afternoon.
Renewed flood menace as cyclone carnage mounts
Far north Queensland is bracing for more flooding as the evacuation of a community and the search for a missing elderly man continues.
Support for army reserve model in bushfire response
The majority of Australians support better working conditions for volunteer firefighters, as the government reviews the nation's crisis response capability.
Rescue for stricken town as high cost of cyclone mounts
Supplies are trickling through to people stranded by flooding as far north Queenslanders assess the damage from devastating flooding and high winds.
Heroic flood rescues as town evacuation postponed
The wet weather has not been able to stop heroic rescues across far north Queensland after the evacuation of a flooded town was postponed.
‘Too late to leave’: locals to shelter as blaze flares
An out-of-control bushfire burning in northwest NSW has quickly grown in size with residents in the region told it is too late to leave.
Cyclone Jasper weaker but floods remain a threat
Tropical Cyclone Jasper may have passed but far north Queensland is still under threat with flooding set to test locals in coming days.
Queensland facing days of life-threatening flash floods
Cairns is experiencing "life-threatening" flash-flooding due to ex-cyclone Jasper, while a young girl fights for her life after being struck by lightning.
No respite as Queensland faces widespread flash floods
Premier Steven Miles is seeking help from navy rescue boat crews as the fallout from ex-tropical cyclone Jasper continues with heavy rain in north Queensland.
Child among group stranded on hospital roof amid floods
A group of people including a seven-year-old have been stranded on a remote hospital roof after widespread flooding caused by ex-tropical cyclone Jasper.
Giant bushfire prompts evacuation centre set-up
An out-of-control bushfire burning near Narrabri in northwest NSW has quickly grown in size as residents are told to get their properties ready.
Entire town to be evacuated after ‘next level’ flooding
The Australian Defence Force is mobilising to help evacuate an Aboriginal community threatened by flooding to safety at Cooktown.
Residents shelter as giant bushfire burns near NSW town
An out-of-control bushfire burning in northwest NSW has quickly grown in size with residents in the region told it is too late to leave.
Region sends SOS after floodwaters, landslides hit
The Douglas Shire has issued an SOS for help after being cut off by floodwaters and landslides with boulders the size of houses since Cyclone Jasper hit.
Firefighting pilot escapes as chopper fills with water
A helicopter pilot helping fight a bushfire tried to kick his way out of his aircraft after crashing into a dam, a preliminary ATSB report has found.
Man dies five days after being buried in sand on island
Five days after falling into a hole and becoming trapped in sand, a 23-year-old man has succumbed to his injuries in a Brisbane hospital.
Man seriously injured in shark attack
A man in his 20s has been taken to hospital in a serious condition after being bitten on the leg by a shark off the central Queensland coast.
Cyclone Jasper swings towards Australia
Tropical Cyclone Jasper has started to swing towards Australia and is set to weaken before intensifying again as it approaches the Queensland coast.
At least 17 killed as Philippines bus falls off cliff
A bus in the Philippines has plunged 30m off a cliff into a ravine, killing at least 17 people with several others taken to hospital.
Spanish tourist dies while on Great Barrier Reef trip
A 76-year-old woman has died while on a snorkelling trip on the Great Barrier Reef as part of a 25-strong Spanish group.
Westpac customers access online accounts after outage
Westpac customers have again been able to access their accounts after the bank said a "routine technology update" resulted in an online outage.