Flood boats bring in medicines, food and chlorine but no solution to “wild hair”

Essential supplies including medicines and chlorine are arriving in a Gulf town isolated for weeks by floods buy one lifelong resident has revealed there’s “wild hairstyles” aplenty in the streets.

A REMOTE Gulf town impacted by ongoing flooding has received vital supplies of medicines and chlorine but one resident said many people are just desperate for a haircut.

On Friday morning Ashley Gallagher helped Troy Gallagher and John Bentvelzen to steady a State Emergency Service floodboat, while Bradley Hawkins loaded it using an all-terrain forklift.

Mr Gallagher said they have been working all week to ensure supplies get through to Normanton, Karumba and Mornington Island.

“We are on the Croyden side of the Norman River,” Mr Gallagher said.

“This week we have already moved about 100 tonnes, including 10 tonnes of chlorine for water purification”.

Outside Normanton on the Croyden side of Norman River, Troy Gallagher (left) and John Bentvelzen (centre) steady a State Emergency Service flood boat while Bradley Hawkins loads goods using an all-terrain forklift. Picture: Ashley Gallagher

“I heard some trucks were coming in via Cloncurry which adds an extra 1000km to the journey.”

Carpentaria Shire Council CEO Mark Crawley said six 1000 litre pods of chlorine had been delivered to ensure the purification of the water systems in Normanton and Karunda.

But he said his hair was “not wild.”

“My wife cuts my hair with the number one comb,” he said.

“She’s been teaching me to cut her hair, she’s very brave.”

Carpentaria Shire Council CEO Mark Crawley said while Norman ton had been cut-off since January 4, neighbouring communities of Burketon and Doomadgee had done it tougher with the floods. Picture: Supplied

Mr Crawley said Normanton will receive some evacuees from Burketown over the weekend.

“Our hearts go out to our neighbours at Burketown and Doomadgee,” he said.

“While we have been impacted since January 4, they have had a pretty hefty deluge.”

Mr Crawley’s comments came as Burketown police were co-ordinating the evacuation of vulnerable persons and some properties at Burketown and surrounds, due to major flood warnings in the area.

Warnings are in place for the Gregory and Nicholson rivers, and the Leichhardt River Catchment is currently at flood level.

Residents and workers at outlying cattle stations are encouraged to consider evacuation, at a time that is safe to do so, while allowing time for aircraft attendance.

Police are co-ordinating the evacuation of vulnerable and elderly persons from Burketown to Mount Isa, with officers doorknocking all residences in the township.

Various helicopters from nearby properties and businesses will be assisting in the evacuations.

Burketown residents are urged to be prepared to leave, and to remain up to date with current warnings.

Normanton Pharmacy owner Sam Nala, 45, said while he had planned ahead with emergency stock, he was pleased when two weeks worth of back orders arrived courtesy of the floodboats.

“We were running a bit low but I have been here four years now and knew what to expect so stocked up a bit,” he said.

“Yesterday 25 boxes of medications and prescription medicines arrived which we had been waiting for over two weeks.”

Gulf-based electrician Allan Robinson said flooding around the Carpentaria means roads are cut and helicopters and boats are the only way to travel to remote communities. Picture: Allan Robinson

For lifelong Normanton resident Nola Gallagher, 72, it’s hair not groceries on her mind.

“I’m fine as I have a bottle of milk, a loaf of bread and vegies in the freezer, but what I really want is to have my hair cut,” she said.

“I have not had my hair done since November last year when Lyn Westbury who has a mobile hairdressing business in Innisfail was here, now my hair is as long as it was when I was teenager.

“I hope she can get through soon as there’s some wild hairstyles around town.”

But Ms Westbury who has been visiting remote towns for 19 years said she is unsure how soon she can visit.

“I tried to get there about four week ago and had to turn back,” she said.

“After looking at the flood cameras for the last couple of weeks I can’t tell.”

Mobile hairdresser Lyn Westbury who has been travelling to the Gulf regions for 19 years with her mobile hairdressing business is unable to reach Normanton due to the floods. Picture: Supplied

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Meteorology has forecast a slight reprieve for the Gulf.

The Bureau posted on the weekend the Gulf would be partly cloudy with a medium chance of showers in the southeast and the chance of a thunderstorm.

Temperatures are expected to reach 30C with a minimum of 24C.

Originally published as Flood boats bring in medicines, food and chlorine but no solution to “wild hair”