Qld weather: Outback flooding to persist for days, if not weeks

The weather bureau expects major flooding to continue in Queensland’s Outback for days or even weeks to come, with the state warned the human and economic impacts will be ‘considerable’.

As South East Queensland recovers from flash flooding, the state’s isolated outback communities are being devastated by immense rainfall from ex-tropical cyclone Dianne, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting major flooding to continue.

It comes as federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers warns the human and economic costs of the deluge will be “considerable”.

The past week has seen areas of regional Queensland receive more than 650mm of rain, the worst in living memory, leading to entire communities such as Adavale and Jundah submerged and prompting more than 40 rescues from swiftwater crews.

Forecaster Jonathan How said the western corner of the state could record another 50mm on Tuesday and Wednesday following more isolated thunderstorms.

“We are seeing major flooding at locations such as Windorah, Thargomindah for these are the flood waters are very slow to subside so we are likely to see these major flood warnings continue for quite some time,” Mr How said.

“We do have about a dozen different flood warnings in inland Queensland, all of those are major.

“We will see rainfall building across far western and southwestern Queensland from Tuesday and then showers and storms pushing through on Wednesday.

“We are expecting to see flooding and major flooding continuing for many days, if not weeks to come.”

Floodwaters over Diamantina Developmental Rd, on the edge of the town of Quilpie. Picture: Roger Volz

As a result, energy infrastructure has been inundated, with more than 10 power poles washed over and about 300 homes without power.

“We have been planning for the recovery and power restoration since flooding was forecast,” said Ergon corporate communications adviser Danny Donald.

“We are aiming to get power back to the townships late this week as long as the weather doesn’t deteriorate again.”

Farmers in the region have faced up to a million livestock casualties and extensive property damage, as many urge the government and military to intervene with further support. Sixth generation Eulo resident Carmel Beresford shared her family’s experience on social media.

“The fear is stock will be lost, fences decimated, machinery swamped, and the houses inundated,” Mrs Beresford said.

“My thoughts this morning have turned to why one army chopper with personnel experienced at this kind of work, has not been assigned to the district.”

Possamunga Station surrounded by floodwaters near Quilpie. Picture: Catherine Edwards

A state disaster management meeting was called on Saturday and chaired by Premier David Crisafulli to co-ordinate the response of emergency services and plan for the coming days. High priority has been placed on delivering fodder to feed the remaining livestock, and emergency services are working on evacuating all communities at further risk.

“I have to give an incredible shout out to those private chopper operators who have been doing the power of work to make sure that wherever it’s humanly possible, they are getting fodder to those handful of dry areas, and ensuring that when the stock get to there that they have something to eat,” Mr Crisafulli said.

He said the region provided things we took for granted on supermarket shelves and was a major contributor to Queensland’s economy.

Mr Chalmers said the federal government - now in caretaker mode amid a five week election campaign - was focused on the “human cost of the heavy weather”.

“We’ve seen the devastating flooding in a number of communities that will no doubt have an economic impact,” he said.

“We know that the human costs are considerable, and the economic costs will be considerable as well, and they’ll be known to us before long.”

The latest federal budget, released by Mr Chalmers last week, noted the significant economic impact of increasingly frequent natural disasters.

Damage wrought by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred earlier this month was expected to knock a quarter of a per cent off economic growth worth $1.65bn this financial year.

The federal government also set aside $1.2bn to deal with the disaster clean up across Queensland’s southeast and northern New South Wales — a figure expected to grow as the tally in providing much needed emergency assistance and recovery to flooded outback communities.

Aerial view of floodwaters around Bedouri

Aerial view of Windorah surrounded by floodwaters

Other parts of the state, including the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast hinterland have also received up to 100mm of rain through the weekend, leaving more than 3000 without power on Saturday.

While the southeast saw clear skies on Sunday, forecasters expect rain to return from Tuesday to the weekend.

Originally published as Qld weather: Outback flooding to persist for days, if not weeks