Clermont Veterinary Surgery go beyond in Central Qld floods

As heavy rains belted Central and North Qld, this outback veterinary crew rushed to keep a vet and nurse behind while knowing floodwaters would soon cut them off from the rest of town.

An outback veterinary team went above and beyond their line of duty as they stayed behind to care for animals while knowing floodwaters would have them surrounded.

As heavy rains belted the Isaac region, the Clermont Veterinary Surgery crew knew from prior experience that weir run-off would soon flood Sandy Creek and isolate the practice from the rest of town.

“We were cut off in the early hours of Friday morning,” vet Briony Brooks said, adding it was a rush to get fellow vet Monica Chinchilla and vet nurse Gemma Lees across to the practice.

“We had a few animals in hospital,” Ms Brooks said.

Patients included a small dog recovering from a snake bite, another suffering with kidney issues, plus about a dozen horses in the thick of “equine reproduction season”.

Clermont Veterinary Surgery vet nurse Gemma Lees was well prepared for the floods that battered the region in January, 2023. Picture: Supplied

“Because it’s wet and muddy, animals are getting wet and sore feet … so they (Monica and Gemma) were constantly looking out for horses that can get a foot abscess.”

Floodwaters closed the roads heading in and out of Clermont Veterinary Surgery along Laglan St in Clermont. Picture: Supplied

Ms Brooks said the duo slept in swags in a portable donga and sent photo updates to the animals’ owners.

“Myself and another vet did another little pop-up clinic in Friday (at the GP) in town so we could still do the routine vaccinations,” she said.

And though Sandy Creek has subsided, the clinic isn’t taking any second chances, packing a car ready for house calls.

Clermont Veterinary Surgery veterinarian Monica Chinchilla. Picture: Supplied

The deluge had cut off Clermont “in every direction” including from Emerald and Rubyvale with roads to Charters Towers and Moranbah also inundated.

“There was really no way of getting out,” Ms Brooks said.

“We end up being a little bit of an island.”

Flooding at Sandy Creek along Alpha Rd, Clermont, January, 2023. Picture: KT Keyte

Isaac Mayor Anne Baker said the wet weather event had affected more than 120 roads across the region.

“There is still a lot of water around … particularly Clermont, Dysart, Middlemount and the Isaac coast,” Mrs Baker said.

“Pothole patching and repairs during wet conditions is just not practical.”

Mrs Baker said they would start routine repairs as the weather improved with traffic signage in place.

“We urge residents to avoid unnecessary travel and if you are heading out make sure to check the Isaac Disaster Dashboard.”