Family's heartbreak after mum-of-three killed in Queensland floods
The woman who tragically lost her life in the Queensland floods last week has been identified as mum-of-three Casey Munchow.
The 31-year-old died after becoming trapped in a car that was submerged in floodwaters near Mackay on May 11, just three days after Mother's Day.
Ms Munchow was still strapped into her seat when her body was found by Mackay police and SES crews, police said.
She was trapped in the vehicle with two others on Surprise Creek Rd at Mount Ossa, north of Mackay, but the other occupants were able to escape.
The "devoted" mum leaves behind her husband Josh, with whom she had a successful wedding business, and their three children Dylan, 10, Tommy, seven, and Evie, two.
The mum is being remembered as a "one of a kind with a heart of gold".
"Casey was all the good you could ever want in a person,” said Natasha Spreadborough, a friend of the family, who set up a GoFundMe page to help support Josh and the kids.
"[She] was always there for her friends and completely family-oriented, a crack up to have a laugh and drink with, would light up a room with her energy."
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Ms Munchow's death came as "a massive shock" to friends and family with the whole town of Calen, near Mackay, Queensland, "absolutely rocked" by the news.
"Losing a loved one is never easy," Ms Spreadborough wrote. "The grief and heartbreak that comes is something that sticks with you forever."
Mrs Munchow was a popular wedding photographer in her area and launched a website in 2021 to connect local businesses helping prospective brides plan their special days.
She ran the company with her husband.
Local man still missing in QLD floodwaters
As the floodwaters slowly subside from the second major rain event this year, a 'gutwrenching' clean up and recovery is now underway across Queensland.
The state's southern interior remains on edge as river systems continue to rise with flood warnings still in place for the Mary, Condamine, Balonne, Thompson and Cooper river and creek catchments.
The unseasonal May rainfall inundated homes and businesses, with roads and bridges swamped across the state.
One man, Keiren Wilson, 26, is still missing after his empty car was found in a flooded region of southern Queensland.
Mr Wilson was last seen around 9am Friday, May 13 driving away from his Ballandean home during the flooding.
He was reported missing after he didn't make contact with friends and family, and his car was later found near Bents Rd, Ballandean.
RACQ LifeFlight Rescue said it's feared Mr Wilson may have tried to cross floodwaters on foot to return to his property.
"There are concerns for his safety, as there has been extensive flooding in the region," the organisation said in a statement.
Police are also keeping an eye out for a bald man described as being in his mid-40s and wearing shorts who was seen by onlookers entering Brisbane River on Sunday afternoon.
- with AAP
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