Burketown mayor Ernie Camp said flood damage bill for the Gulf town could reach $50m

Massive flooding around Burketown caused 90 residents to evacuate while 60 remain and the shire mayor reckons the damage bill for the region could hit $50m.

The mayor of a small town devastated by floods in the Gulf of Carpentaria estimates the damage bill could reach up to $50 million.

More than 40 homes are understood to have been inundated with water and only 60 people remain in Burketown after about 90 residents were evacuated on Sunday.

The flooding has devastated the Gulf region including Normanton and Burketown which have been cut-off since January.

Burke Shire Mayor Ernie Camp said he expected there would be significant amount of infrastructure damage once the flood water had receded.

“In 2010 we went through a major flood, not as big as this and the estimated cost was over $23 million,” he said.

“There’s more assets now and it could be as much as $40 million to $50 million.

“We will never floodproof the Gulf but some of the low level creek crossings raised by 1m would make a big difference.”

Police on Monday warned residents to be cautious of crocodiles and other unseen hazards if moving through the community.

All hands on deck to load up as Nautilus Aviation Emergency Service Co-ordinator Tim Borresen said the company had four aircraft, four pilots and an air crewmen temporarily based in the Gulf to fly in urgent supplies to flooded stations and communities. Picture: Supplied

Mr Camp said the aviation community had assisted with hay and feed drops on properties where people evacuated leaving dogs, livestock and horses behind or where residents remained.

A mix of station hands, volunteers and police help unload vital supplies to residents cut-off by flooding. Nautilus Aviation Emergency Service Coordinator Tim Borresen said the company had four aircraft, four pilots and an air crewman temporarily based in the Gulf to fly in urgent supplies to flooded stations and communities. Picture: Supplied

“These drops give comfort to the people from the ringers to the manager and station cook,” he said.

“About half of Burketown was evacuated including the local cafe staff.”

Meanwhile, Queensland police will continue to monitor Urandangi, a small community where 16 people have already been evacuated.

Nearby air assets were on standby late on Monday for emergency rescues and transport of food, water and medical supplies.

Stations isolated by flooding have welcomed Nautilus Aviation Emergency Service Coordinator Tim Borresen and his crew who have flown in urgent supplies to flooded communities. Here they fly over another aircraft. Picture: Supplied

Senior Sergeant Adrian Rieck from the Mount Isa District Disaster Coordination Centre said it was not yet safe for Burketown residents to return.

“Water reserves and food supplies are good, and resupply continues, Telstra services have also been restored to the area,” Senior Sergeant Rieck said.

“If any residents are concerned, they are encouraged to contact their local police or council officers.”

Senior Sergeant Adrian Rieck from the Mount Isa District Disaster Coordination Centre is unsafe for displaced people to return to their homes due to flooding. File Picture: Evan Morgan

He reminded residents to limit movement in the flood water due to unseen hazards and recent crocodile sightings

Senior Sergeant Rieck said sewage and water treatment plants in Burketown were offline, with residents instructed to conserve water usage and continue to monitor advice from council.

Police said significant flooding was still occurring in Burketown and the Gregory River which is understood to have reached 12m on Monday.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued flood warnings for the Gilbert, Norman, Nicholson, Flinders and Leichardt rivers.

Two of the Nautilus Aviation fleet at work as Emergency Service Co-ordinator Tim Borresen said urgent supplies are being delivered to flooded and isolated stations and communities. Picture: Supplied

Nautilus Aviation emergency service co-ordinator Tim Borresen said the company had four aircraft, four pilots and an air crewmen temporarily based in the Gulf to deliver supplies to flood isolated stations and communities.

The rescue crew’s mission saw them cover territory from Mount Isa to Urandangi, then north into the Northern Territory through to Camooweal, he said.

State Emergency Service Carpentaria controller Jake Daniel said he hoped the roads into Normanton would soon be clear.

“We are running low on fuel,” he said.

“Trucks can get through but we will have to wait another week to be able to drive to Cloncurry as the water is still .75m.”

Nautilus Aviation Emergency Service Co-ordinator Tim Borresen said they are delivering urgent supplies to flooded stations and communities. Picture: Supplied

North West Hospital and Health Service acting chief executive Sean Birgan said it was important for people to be aware of the increased risk of infection and disease associated with floodwaters.

Mr Birgan said the risk of wound infections, dermatitis, diarrhoeal conditions and bacterial diseases such as leptospirosis and melioidosis increased with floods.

“We are urging residents to minimise health risks and avoid swimming or wading in floodwater, not only to avoid being seriously injured or drowning, but because the water may be contaminated,” Mr Birgan said.

Meteorologist Livio Regano said while rainfall was decreasing in the Gulf, storms were on the horizon for Burketown.

“The weather is slowly improving but storms are still possible,” he said.

“We know the (Albert) River is flooded but not how much as the river gauge is underwater.

“Anecdotal evidence tells us the height has peaked but the bad news is rivers are slow to decrease and from Thursday showers will start coming back.”

Originally published as Burketown mayor Ernie Camp said flood damage bill for the Gulf town could reach $50m