Roads in the Mid North and Flinders regions are flooded after severe weather brought nearly 80mm of rain to some regions
Multiple roads have closed until Monday the state’s north copped historic downpours and thunderstorms.
SA News
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Multiple roads are flooded in the Mid North and the Flinders Ranges after the regions copped soakings from heavy falls on Friday, with Quorn recording a quarter of its average annual rainfall in a single day.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe weather warning on Friday due to thunderstorms, heavy rainfall and potential flash flooding in the Eyre Peninsula, Mid North, Flinders Ranges, North East Pastoral district and Yorke Peninsula.
In the 24 hours til 9am today, the highest falls were recorder at Quorn in the Flinders Ranges, which saw 77mm., triple its October average and about one quarter of its annual 330mm.
Simon Timcke, senior forecaster from the Bureau of Meteorology said it was the wettest October day on record for Quorn.
Other regions which saw high totals included Braemar in the North East Pastoral district which copped 59mm. Caltowie near Port Pirie saw 37mm and Yardea just off the Eyre Peninsula got 32mm.
Widespread showers & storms led to falls of 15-30mm over the middle of #SouthAustralia yesterday, while staying mostly dry further south. Highest recorded totals were 77mm at Quorn, and 59mm at Braemar in the North East Pastoral district ☔All rain obs: https://t.co/iCBe1wPa34 pic.twitter.com/vmDvXK2Cdt
— Bureau of Meteorology, South Australia (@BOM_SA) October 24, 2020
Daniel Williams lives in Carrieton in the Flinders Ranges and captured a video of a fast flowing creek near his house which overflowed due to the rainfall.
“I’m going to start a white water rafting company,” Mr Williams said.
He said due to recent heavy falls, the ground is damp which is why the region was experiencing flooding.
The creek that overflowed was two kilometres from his house, and Mr Williams said he and his family could hear it rushing from their house.
“It was absolutely belting through,” Mr Williams said.
“I have never seen it (the creek) that fast and full.”
He said after years of drought, the rain is always welcome by locals.
“It’s been a record drought followed by a record rainfall.
“No one’s sick of the rain yet, that’s for sure.”
Mr Timcke said next week will be much drier for the region as the trough bringing the rain moves east.
“There will still be a few showers around but nothing like what we saw on Thursday and Friday,” Mr Timcke said.
Adelaide is above its monthly rainfall average of 44mm for October, having collected 48.6mm so far this month.
Weather will remain cool for the weekend and early next week in Adelaide, with Sunday forecast to reach a maximum of 17 C, Monday at 18C and Tuesday at 20C.
“We will struggle to get higher than the low 20s for next week,” he said.
Roads closed due to rain until Monday include:
– The Birdsville Track – Far North
– Mount Barry to San Marino track
– Kingoonya to Wirrulla track
– Tea Tree Road to Yunta
– Painted Desert Road