Threat not over as floodwater surges across the outback

By ROBYN WUTH

Outback communities across Queensland could be isolated for months with road systems washed away under heavy flooding in a disastrous start to the State’s wet season.

Roads to Burketown, Normanton, Karumba, Doomadgee, Julia Creek, Duchess, and Kajabbi in the state’s north are cut, leaving thousands of residents stranded.

Many could be isolated for months with road systems washed away in a disastrous start to Queensland’s wet season.

Many towns have become marooned with floodwaters cutting off surrounding roads.

Stock losses have soared past 54,000, and more than 70 homes have been decimated by flash flooding at Clermont, west of Mackay, as ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji carved a path of destruction.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese toured the flood-hit region on Thursday to announce additional disaster assistance funding.

The cost of reconstruction is expected to soar, but authorities say the true cost of Koji may not be known for months.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns there is a slim chance Koji may reform for an unwanted and unwelcome return.

“At the moment, it’s most likely to dissipate by the weekend,” senior meteorologist Sarah Scully told AAP on Thursday.

“However, it could potentially move out over the Gulf of Carpentaria or even into the Coral Sea, where there’s a low risk of developing into a tropical cyclone.”

For now, the torrential rain has eased to isolated showers and thunderstorms.

Flooding continues to threaten regional Queensland, with the Mackenzie River placed on major alert as water levels surge over roads and bridges.

The water will continue carve its way through the catchment with the Mackenzie feeding into central Queensland’s Fitzroy River, which will be the next hit by major flooding.

Thunderstroms are possible across much of Queensland on Friday with severe storms possible in the southeast. These thunderstorms have a risk of damaging wind gusts, heavy rainfall and large hail,

Minor flooding is possible at Yaamba, about 35km northwest of Rockhampton, from Friday and the centre of Rockhampton by Sunday.

The Central Highlands and Livingstone Shire Councils both issued warnings with road closures, landslips and damage already reported.

Livingstone mayor Adam Belot said the shire’s northern edge would bear the brunt of  floodwaters, with Yaamba’s population of about 50 already cut off.

“Our focus really is up in that northern part of our shire and those little communities that are tucked out of the way – they’re really the ones that are really facing the effects of these rising floodwaters,” he said.

A flood watch is also current for the Gulf Country and parts of western Queensland and Cape York Peninsula, which includes the Flinders and Cloncurry catchments.

Rivers systems are overflowing across central and northern Queensland.

Major flooding is possible along the Georgina River at Marion Downs, southwest of Boulia, from Thursday, as water levels steadily rise.

The shire has missed out on the worst of the system, as they are quietly hoping for the start of their own wet season.

“It’s a Catch-22,” Boulia mayor Rick Britton said.

“If you talk to … the bottom half of Queensland they’re probably still waiting for their wet season to break and start, and the top end are probably wanting it to bloody stop.”

Without decent rain by Anzac Day, Cr Britton said most of the graziers across Boulia Shire would have to start selling off cattle.

“We’re all in the hands of Mother Nature. She’s a hard, hard beast to deal with at times.”

AAP