Mt Isa District Supt Tom Ammitt said Gulf residents evacuated by mustering pilots in record floods

Residents of a small Gulf community are being evacuated by mustering pilots with the most vulnerable being flown first, followed by children and parents as soon as possible.

As record-breaking floods are predicted to swamp a small Gulf community, police have been doorknocking the town and relying on mustering pilots to airlift the most vulnerable to Normanton and Mt Isa.

Mt Isa District Officer Superintendent Tom Ammitt said police including extra officers brought in to assist are co-ordinating the evacuation of vulnerable and elderly persons from Burketown to Mount Isa, with officers door knocking all 168 persons in the township.

Ergon Energy’s Normanton-based Field Construction Officer Allan Robinson took thus image as he was flown into Burketown as record-breaking floods swap the town. Picture: Allan Robinson

“We are expecting a significant down flow because of the huge rain that occurred in the Gregory and Nicholson River catchment,” he said.

“The rain is expected to flow through areas of Doomadgee and into Burketown and we will move the vulnerable and elderly first.

“We are expecting record flooding into the township and we have limited flood modelling as we are already at record levels.”

Ergon’s Normanton-based Field Construction Officer Allan Robinson took this image west of Burketown impacted by record-breaking floods. Picture: Allan Robinson

Supt Ammitt said the Burketown has around 25 elderly people and 20 children.

“We are relying on a number of aviation resources form mustering pilots in small aircraft in small shuttles at a time.”

Vital supplies including groceries and medicines being unloaded in the Gulf as towns like Doomadgee and Burketown face more flooding and are cut-off by roads. Picture: QFES

Police also advised warnings are in place for the Gregory and Nicholson rivers, and the Leichhardt River Catchment is currently at flood level.

Police said 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.

At Floraville Station, 71km south of Burketown and 70km from the Gulf, Kylie Camp, 55, waded through knee-high water which swirled across the property’s airstrip as she was evacuated with her daughter-in-law and granddaughter on Friday.

Mrs Camp left her home on the 94,000ha property on the banks of the Leichardt River, with a small bag with some clothing, documents, her engagement ring and a family photo.

The historic main homestead at Floraville Station is expected to be swamped as the 94,000Hs property on the banks of the Leichardt River as record-breaking floods devastate the region. Picture: Supplied

“Water was running across our airstrip where the helicopter was like the tide was coming in,” she said.

“We were flown 161km to Normanton to stay with friends.

“But my husband (Ernie) is on the station now with our son and they are trying to lift everything.

“He is mayor of Burketown and chair of the LGA and he felt he had to stay for all the shire.”

Floraville Station, a 94,000Ha property on the banks of the Leichardt River was under water on March 10 as record-breaking floods devastated the region. Picture: Supplied

Mrs Camp is also the Queensland Country Women’s Association Gregory branch president and she said every member had been impacted by the flooding.

“It’s Ernie’s birthday tomorrow (Saturday) and our wedding anniversary, ”she said.

“We have cut fences and opened gates to save stock so they access high ground.

“Only the geese are happy with the situation.”

Meanwhile Ergon Energy spokeswoman Emma Oliveri said they were monitoring the electricity network as floodwaters rise.

“But there have not been any major impacts or outages as a result of flooding in Gulf communities,” she said.

“Ergon crews will be flying into Burketown on Saturday to do aerial network patrols and inspections on the ground throughout the township.

“Where necessary for safety reasons, they will turn the power off to individual properties on a case-by-case basis”.

Ms Oliveri said on Thursday crews had to de-energise a handful of customers (two pumps and three properties) west of Burketown because of flooding.

“Any life-threatening faults, like fallen powerlines, should be reported to Ergon on 13 16 70”.

Ergon’s Normanton-based Field Construction Officer Allan Robinson took these images of flooded areas impacted by record-breaking floods across the Gulf. Picture: Allan Robinson

QCWA State President Mrs Sheila Campbell has asked Queenslanders to dig deep and support these remote communities by donating to the QCWA Disaster fund.

“By donating to the QCWA Disaster Fund we can direct help the local community, supporting local businesses with vouchers,” she said.

“All money donated to the QCWA goes directly to where it’s needed, no money is used for administration purposes”.

QCWA State Disaster Fund BSB 064000 ACC 14604131.

Federal Minister Emergency Management Murray Watt announced disaster assistance is now available to a further six flooded local government areas across Northern and Central Queensland following extreme monsoonal rainfall.

Personal hardship payments are also available to cover the costs of essential items for individuals and families in Burke Shire.

Originally published as Mt Isa District Supt Tom Ammitt said Gulf residents evacuated by mustering pilots in record floods