As the Gulf floods recede, the Wilson family at Tirranna Roadhouse pick up the pieces

A woman whose family were evacuated when a helicopter pilot landed on their flatbed truck as rising floodwaters surged through their property has spoken of their heartbreak as they turn to the task of rebuilding their lives.

A woman whose family were evacuated when a helicopter pilot landed on their truck as rising floodwaters surged through their property has spoken of their heartbreak as they turn to the task of rebuilding their lives.

While floodwaters are slowing receding around the Tirranna Roadhouse, 34km southwest of Burketown, owners Jil and Tim Wilson, their children Hunter, 6, and Holly, 4, and brother-in-law Mick Wilson are devastated by the damage the floods caused to their homes and businesses.

The Burke Shire property’s fences are tattered or missing, the generators and pumps are gone, their home and business are saturated and all their hard work over the past five years lies covered in mud.

Jil Wilson of Tirranna took this image as her family were evacuated from Tirranna to Burketown by helicopter as the most significant wet season in a decade impacted their property. Picture: Supplied

Ms Wilson, 35, and the children are staying in Burketown, while her husband, 38, and brother-in-law, 35, are staying at the roadhouse as they sort through the sodden wreck of their home and store to decide what can be salvaged and what is beyond cleaning or repair.

“They are bush camping with no power or water at the moment,” Ms Wilson said.

“I had someone offer to watch the children today so I offered to go out and help but Tim said not to come out, it would break my heart.

“I know we will be coming back to a bomb site.”

Holly, Hunter and mum Jil Wilson with Mac the mini-dachshund are trying to stay positive as they face a massive recovery effort of their home and businesses after being devastated by the Gulf flooding which swept through Tirranna near Burketown. Picture: Supplied.

But in a moment of good fortune, Ms Wilson said they were thrilled their beloved dogs survived.

The severity of the flooding and heavy rains caused property owners across the Gulf to evacuate themselves and their animals to the highest ground possible.

And seats were limited on helicopters and aeroplanes to fly people to safety.

Some chose to stay behind with their pets rather than flee.

But Ms Wilson’s children were unwell so the family decided to evacuate although they were distressed to leave the dogs behind.

“Honey our 50kg mastiff survived,” Ms Wilson said.

“I was able to put Mac our mini-dachshund who weighs very little in my purse when were evacuated to a nearby property, but we had to leave Honey behind on the highest ground we could find.

Heavy rains from the most significant wet season in a decade have impacted the Far North with flooding isolating towns and communities including around Normanston and Burketown, Tirranna residents Jil and Tim Wilson helped native animals stuck in fences and placed them on high ground such as this echidna. Picture: Supplied

Two dogs which were left in a ute on the highest ground they could find also survived, she said.

But the roadhouse animals who were great favourites with families who passed through the area – including three horses, pigs, poddy calves, and poultry – drowned when strong currents swept them away.

Tirranna Roadhouse south- west of Burketown was devastated by flooding. On site Friday March 17, 2023, to view the damage were Minister Rural Communities Mark Furner, Robbie Katter, Bob Gee and Dan McIntyre. Picture: Supplied Picture: Supplied

The Wilsons know they very fortunate; they are alive and well, however, they are exhausted and face dealing with insurance companies while they pick up their lives, a journey which Ms Wilson said will be long and hard.

Tirranna Roadhouse south- west of Burketown was devastated by flooding. Picture: Supplied

Their insurance was cancelled prior to the flooding as they were deemed too high a risk by the company.

“The insurance companies are pulling out,” she said.

“The worst case scenario to rebuild if no insurance wants to play the game will be $3.2m to rebuild our house, the road house, Mick’s house and the ablutions block.

“If the insurance companies pay up then I’ll be left with $1.8m which is a sum I can cope with.”

Tirranna Roadhouse south- west of Burketown was devastated by flooding. On Friday March 17, 2023, to view the damage were Minister Rural Communities Mark Furner and Member for Traeger Robbie Katter. Picture: Supplied

But what really breaks her heart is their children’s tears at night.

‘They know they have lost everything,” Ms Wilson said.

The Wilson family were evacuated from Tirranna Roadhouse to nearby property above the floods and they were able to take their mini-dachshund Mac with them.

A Go Fund Me campaign to help the them called Flood Disaster at Tirranna Springs Roadhouse has been created and when this article went to print had raised $2080.

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Originally published as As the Gulf floods recede, the Wilson family at Tirranna Roadhouse pick up the pieces