Heavy rain in Port Augusta and severe weather warning issued for Far North

Roads turned into rivers as Port Augusta was pummelled by more than 50mm of rain in just one hour overnight – and more rain is on the way for SA’s north.

The arid town of Port Augusta was lashed with an uncharacteristic downpour on Monday, as a severe weather warning was declared for northern South Australia.

Roads turned into rivers as Bureau of Meteorology data showed Port Augusta recorded 51.6mm of rain in just one hour between 8pm to 9pm. Between 8pm to 11.30pm, a total of 58mm was recorded.

Many motorists had to be towed as the main highway was suddenly flooded.

The State Emergency Service received about 80 call-outs as people reported their property was taking on water on Monday night.

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

And there’s more rain to come for the state’s north. Those in the North East Pastoral and North West Pastoral Districts including Coober Pedy, Marla, Oodnadatta, Moomba and Marree should expect severe thunderstorms and six-hourly rainfall totals between 40-70mm, as well as more potential flash flooding on Tuesday.

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

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

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

Severe Weather Warning for HEAVY RAINFALL for people in North East Pastoral and parts of North West Pastoral districts. Locations which may be affected include Marla, Coober Pedy, Moomba, Ernabella, Oodnadatta and Marree. Refer: https://t.co/u55vgEC6ispic.twitter.com/yyVIT1lelw

— Country Fire Service (@CFSAlerts) January 31, 2022

Intense isolated rainfall totalling in excess of 150mm over 24 hours is also likely, the BOM says.

It comes as tonnes of food and essential supplies were flown to the remote Outback town of Coober Pedy on Monday as the stranded community rushed to prepare for another damaging summer deluge.

Authorities are concerned up to 200mm of rain forecast to fall in the state’s north will worsen the widespread flooding emergency, which has forced the closure of the crucial Stuart Hwy for more than a week.

The first of six scheduled flights departed Edinburgh RAAF base on Monday morning carrying non-perishable foods including long-life milk and soft drinks, as well as dog food and toilet paper.

Army Brigadier Graham Goodwin said an additional three were scheduled for Monday, and two on Tuesday, to deliver a total 20 tonnes of goods.

“That’s the initial response, that can change depending on not only weather conditions but also the requirements of the people on the ground,” he said.

“Our principal duty here is to assist the local community of Coober Pedy and the outlying areas, giving them surety and certainty of their food and their food supplies.”

Supplies are loaded onto a Royal Australian Air Force C-27J Spartan at the RAAF Base Edinburgh ahead of a flight to Coober Pedy. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Naomi Jellicoe

Cartons of soft drink were among the goods loaded onto the first flight. Picture: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

Coober Pedy and much of the Northern Territory have suffered severe food shortages as the closure of the highway, which is flooded north of Glendambo, stretched into a second week.

Coober Pedy IGA assistant store manager Rajith Bandara said the supply drops should be enough for about 10 days.

“If there is more rain it might become a bigger problem, but fingers crossed this will get us through until the roads are opened,” Mr Bandara said.

“We have been a bit short on everything to be honest, but particularly our fresh meats, fresh breads and toilet paper, unsurprisingly.”

While panic buying has been a feature of the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr Bandara said this emergency did not prompt similar behaviour.

“I suppose no one really saw this coming, so we haven’t had your typical panic buying,” he said.

“It has been a challenge though and I think everyone was excited when the flights started arriving on Monday.”

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Vince Rowlands said “heavy to intense” rainfall could develop over the north of the state from Monday, and continue overnight into Tuesday.

He said a “gradual contraction northwards” would likely happen on Tuesday, but the heavy rain in the area could linger into Wednesday.

“With the heavier falls associated with thunderstorms, we’re likely to see some rainfall totals getting up around the 200mm range and possibly exceeding it,” he said.

SES deputy chief officer Liz Connell said the deluge would “create more challenges” within the supply chain, and urged residents to stay safe.

“The forecast is that we will have some heavy falls from thunderstorms into those regions that are already impacted,” she said.

“We’re encouraging communities up there to not drive into floodwaters, to seek assistance if they need to.”

Ms Connell said Coober Pedy is usually serviced by three food trucks each week. Other, smaller communities have reported that their supplies are at adequate levels.

It is expected that northbound rail infrastructure, also damaged by the flood, will be repaired between February 14-17, but there is no estimate on when the Stuart Highway will reopen. Roads, infrastructure and private properties have also been damaged further south, with an estimated $5 million damage caused in Kimba.

“Many of the roads are still underwater and the assessment is still unable to be actioned,” Ms Connell said.

Additional SES crews have been sent to Coober Pedy to assist with unloading supplies, as well as requests for assistance amid the flooding situation.

Premier Steven Marshall said he was “very concerned” about the forecast for the next 24-48 hours, and urged the public not to illegally cross flooded roads.

“Please, to anyone who thinks they know better, we’ve had to rescue and divert our finite resources to rescues,” he said.

“This is a massive event and is producing widespread flooding.

“Some farmers are very grateful for that heavy rain but it is causing massive problems for infrastructure, roads and cutting off supplies for many communities.”