Air force and SES to fly stranded people out of Coober Pedy as northern SA dodges another deluge

Close to 20 stranded travellers have asked to be flown out of waterlogged Coober Pedy, as a tropical weather system that saw rain lash northern SA eased back after a predicted second wave.

Stranded travellers will be flown out of Coober Pedy, as the town remains cut off from road transport due to flash flooding that has submerged roads.

The Royal Australian Air Force and SES will help 19 people who indicated they wished to leave Coober Pedy, after the town was severed from road supply and transport routes due to freak flash flooding.

The first flight will take four people to the RAAF’s Edinburgh base on Wednesday afternoon.

It comes as northern South Australia was handed a generous reprieve by nature, after forecasted rainfall of up to 70mm failed to arrive for the region.

Those in the North East Pastoral and North West Pastoral Districts including Coober Pedy, Marla, Oodnadatta, Moomba and Marree were told to batten down the hatches and expect severe thunderstorms and six-hourly rainfall totals between 40-70mm, as well as more potential flash flooding on Tuesday.

But the rains did not fall to that extent.

The storm as it passed over Port Augusta. Picture: Homestead Gardens

Marree Airport recorded 21.8mm of rain between 9am Tuesday to 9am Wednesday, while Moomba Airport received 19.8mm in the same time period.

After recording 105.8mm between 9am Monday and 9am Tuesday, Ernabella/Pujikata in the far northwest recorded only 12.4mm from 9am Tuesday to 9am Wednesday.

On Monday night, Port Augusta recorded over its total rainfall in 2021 in one night, an event the town’s mayor dubbed “astronomical”, as 51.6mm of rain fell in one hour between 8pm to 9pm.

The Severe Weather Warning for #SouthAustralia has now been cancelled. Further heavy rainfall is not expected, however the situation will continue to be monitored and further warnings will be issued if necessary. Latest warnings at https://t.co/5wxFrWeCuepic.twitter.com/L1mx0W3ygo

— Bureau of Meteorology, South Australia (@BOM_SA) February 2, 2022

A total of 58mm fell between 8pm and 11.30pm, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

BOM senior meteorologist Paul Bierman said rain in the northern regions would be easing.

“The system is weakening and contracting further north east, so we’re no longer expecting any rainfall to eventuate,” he said.

“Throughout the whole depth of the atmosphere, we’re seeing quite extraordinary amounts of moisture driven by … a tropical low over the Kimberly part of Western Australia.

“The reason that hasn‘t really delivered the rainfall itself coincides with the development of thunderstorms and forcing to generate the rainfall.

The easing of weather comes as Premier Steven Marshall said on Tuesday the situation remained concerning in the Far North.

“The situation is being exacerbated with those huge rain events we had overnight,” he said.

“People should avoid travel to the north of our state.”

He said supply drops into Coober Pedy would continue “for some time” and the government was chartering “every aircraft available in the state” to help those in the Far North.

One person remains missing in flood-affected areas, but there had been no other reported loss of life, he said.

Port Augusta also escaped any rainfall between 9am Tuesday and Wednesday, shortly after mayor Brett Benbow said Monday night’s downpour that hit the area with uncharacteristic flash flooding was an “astronomical” event.

Roads became rivers, taking motorists by surprise. Picture: Catherine Magay

“It’s pretty extraordinary, I’ve lived here all my life and I’ve never seen anything like it … it was an astronomical event” he said.

“Unfortunately I’ve driven around today and there’s a few fences that have come down and a few cars that have a bit of water up to their doors in certain area.”

Mr Benbow said he had noticed “build-up” around the local KFC, where spectacular footage was taken of cars ploughing through water.

“I was standing on my pergola last night and couldn’t see a foot in front of me for a couple hours,” he added.

He said he had received reports that “a few roofs have collapsed on a couple of homes” but no reports of injuries.

Many motorists had to be towed as the main highway was suddenly flooded. The State Emergency Service received over 100 call-outs as people reported their property was taking on water on Monday night.

SES chief officer Chris Beattie said four people had to be rescued from vehicles.

“A number of swiftwater rescues needed to be undertaken to save people from floodwaters,” he said.

“Driving through floodwaters can be one of the most dangerous things anybody could do in a severe weather event. It is the leading cause of death for flooding.”

Mr Beattie said extra SES crews from Adelaide were deployed to Port Augusta over the weekend in anticipation.

More than 50mm fell in one hour. Picture: Catherine Magay

“That decision proved to be very useful last night (Monday) with that flash flooding and severe weather damage across Port Augusta.”

Mr Benbow said there was an upside for the normally dry city.

“There’s always benefits for people to get rainwater in their tanks to water their gardens.”

Broken Hill also recorded heavy rain – with 50mm in two hours on Monday afternoon.

It comes as Mr Beattie revealed many roads in the state’s north remain “impassable”.

He said it would be at least 12 days before the Stuart Hwy reopened.

“The Stuart Highway remains closed at Glendambo with water 400mm deep over the pavement and we expect it to be at least 12 days until the water has subsided and restoration works commence,” he said.

The SES received about 80 call-outs. Picture: Catherine Magay

Concreter Myall Bridges, 35, of Port Augusta, said it was a “freak occurrence”.

“It was a bit out of the ordinary I suppose,” he said.

“It’s a bit of a mess, there’s plenty of dirt everywhere … as far as I can see there’s nothing that looks like extensive damage.”