Ex-tropical cyclone Kirrily does major damage to highways and rail lines in North West Queensland

The North West has experienced significant damage to their highways and rail lines after heavy downpours from ex-tropical cyclone Kirrily. SEE THE DAMAGE.

Communities in Queensland’s west are working hard to restore roads and rail lines after Cyclone Kirrily caused heavy downpours and floods over the weekend.

Cloncurry Mayor Greg Campbell said that a heavy downpour on Monday has caused significant damage to their highways and rail lines.

“There were some massive downpours around McKinlay and back towards Kynuna … over 400mm in 24 hours,” Mr Campbell said.

The Blue Heeler pub at Kynuna Flooded – Linda Walker – 16 hours ago – Kynuna Hotel. Qld – Photo Supplied Facebook Linda Walker

“That rain has caused Flinders Highway and Landsborough highway to be cut.

“I suspect there will be reasonable to significant damage to the Landsborough Highway and the northern rail line from Mount Isa to Townsville.”

Blue Heeler Hotel Kynuna flooded after Cyclone Kirrily

Mr Campbell said that damage assessment cannot begin due to the ongoing wet weather conditions that prevent the helicopters from flying and inspectors out on the roads.

“We had a really, really severe thunderstorm a few days before the cyclone hit,” Mr Campbell said.

Flooding at the Blue Heeler Hotel at Kynuna in Queensland's West after Cyclone Kirrily

“Cyclonic winds broke lots of trees and the council spent a few days picking up all of the broken vegetation from people’s houses.”

Discussions are ongoing between the Cloncurry Regional Council, Department of Main Roads and Queensland Rail to repair any damage from the onslaught of severe weather after the flood waters ease.

In Mount Isa, the Mayor Danielle Slade said that the community was “doing really well” in terms of cyclone damage.

Gilliat River at Cairo Station McKinlay flooded after Cyclone Kirrily

“I think it was on Australia Day about three o’clock in the afternoon we had huge gusts of wind and torrential rain for about two hours,” Ms Slade said.

“The road is cut on Overlanders way near Julia Creek and it is also cut on the Matilda Highway near McKinley.”

“The road to Camooweal is open which is good because at the moment most supplies will be getting through.”

Ms Slade said that Lake Julius is currently at 100 per cent capacity while Lake Moondarra sits at 74.69 per cent.

“We just want to make sure that while the roads are cut, it’s important for Mount Isa residents to know that the supermarkets can get stock through South Australia via Camooweal,” she said.

“We haven’t had to stand up the local disaster management group yet, we are just keeping an eye on things.”

Originally published as Ex-tropical cyclone Kirrily does major damage to highways and rail lines in North West Queensland