Travellers stranded and emergency refuges opened as heavy rain cuts off roads in north Queensland

Emergency refuges are being opened in north Queensland as flooding isolates towns and cuts off roads including the Bruce Highway, leaving motorists stranded.

The PCYC in Bowen opened its doors to about 80 people, 14 dogs and two cats on Sunday. Locals have pitched in, donating everything from dryers to dog beds, pizzas to impromptu gymnastics performances, with the coastal town’s motels having to turn away dozens of stuck travellers.

The Whitsunday mayor, Julie Hall, said the nearby town of…