Deluge destroys bridge as BOM updates Cape/Gulf flood watch

Flood waters have destroyed a bridge leading to Georgetown and more rain is on the way as the national forecaster warns of abnormally high tides forecast for The Gulf and Torres Strait.

The bridge over the Etheridge River on The Gulf Developmental Rd outside Georgetown has been washed away by floodwater. Picture: Renee Matthew

A bridge has collapsed on Gulf Development Road to the west of Georgetown amid fresh flood warnings from Bureau of Meteorology across the region.

The Transport and Main Roads traffic site has said that at Routh Creek Bridge all lanes are blocked in all directions with long delays expected.

It advises that people use an alternative route.

Meanwhile in Cape York, the Peninsula Developmental Road at the notorious Archer River Bridge is also closed to all traffic in both directions with delays expected due to the river running over the road.

The wrecked bridge has cut off Georgetown and Gulf communities from Cairns and Townsville amid alerts warning of elevated river levels and flooding continuing across Cape York Peninsula and parts of The Gulf Country.

The Archer River crossing flooded out on December 21. Picture TMR

The Bureau said the monsoon trough extended across the southern Gulf of Carpentaria coast, the base of Cape York Peninsula, and into the Coral Sea and “will continue to persist for several days”.

Moderate to locally heavy rainfall has already been observed across the Flood Watch area over the last few days.

In the 24 hours to 9.00am on Sunday, rainfall totals up to about 60mm have been recorded. “Catchments are wet and rivers will respond relatively quickly to further rainfall” the Bureau said.

Showers and thunderstorms with locally heavy falls are likely to during Sunday and Monday.

Abnormally high tides are also forecast along The Gulf of Carpentaria coast and through the Torres Strait for several days, with sea levels potentially exceeding the highest tide of the year.

“River level rises are likely to continue and further riverine flooding is possible within the Flood Watch area for the next few days, particularly across western parts of the Peninsula Forecast District, as well as in isolated catchments in Eastern Cape York Peninsula, and parts of The Gulf Country” BOM said in a statement.

The Norman River. Picture: Carpentaria Shire Council

Widespread river level rises, isolated minor to moderate flooding, and impacts to transport routes have been observed within the Flood Watch area.

Catchments likely to be affected include

Norman River (Minor flooding occurring along the Lower Walker Creek )

Gilbert River (Minor flooding occurring at Miranda Downs Station)

Jardine River

Ducie, Jackson and Skardon Rivers

Wenlock River

Embley and Mission Rivers

Watson River

Archer and Coen Rivers

Holroyd and Kendall Rivers

Coleman and Edward Rivers

Mitchell River (Moderate flooding occurring at Kowanyama)

Staaten River

Olive and Pascoe Rivers (Flooding of roads and crossings observed)

Lockhart River (Flooding of roads and crossings observed)

Normanby River

Originally published as Deluge destroys bridge as BOM updates Cape/Gulf flood watch