Man rescued after attempting to cross floodwater in Alice Springs as record rain slams country
A man has had to be rescued after a river that usually runs dry burst its banks amid torrential rain across central Australia.
Alice Springs is bracing itself after recording its wettest November day on record since 2001, forcing the usually dry Todd River burst its banks.
It comes as a huge rain band spreads across Australia with wild conditions in in Queensland and New South Wales.
Alice Springs recorded almost double its record rainfall overnight with over 100 metres falling at the airport and the Todd River having its highest flows in 20 years.
Local authorities had to launch an operation on Wednesday morning to rescue a man who attempted to cross the Undoolya Causeway, just to the east of Alice Springs.
Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services (NTES) said the man’s vehicle was swept off the road by rising floodwaters.
The man managed to “self extract from the vehicle and get to a tree”, where he stayed for six hours until NTES arrived.
A spokesman said the man’s actions put not just himself, but the lives of those who are working to help him at risk.
“Deciding to drive through a flooded causeway is an utterly stupid decision which puts not only your life but the lives of others at risk,” the statement read.
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“Thank you to our amazing front line members, emergency members and volunteers, and the employers who released their staff to assist with the rescue,” the official page posted to Facebook.
The Alice Springs weather station reported 70mm of rain for the region in the last 24 hours, while the outback town’s airport recorded more than 100mm. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the area has not seen this much rainfall in a 24-hour period since January 30, 2001.
The NTES warned residents to steer clear from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways until the downpour subsides. A severe thunderstorm warning has been put in place cautioning damaging wind gusts, heavy rainfall and hail.
Surf’s up. Palm Circuit, just south of the Gap in #AliceSprings@abcdarwinpic.twitter.com/07PNchz9Fr
— Eliza Goetze (@elizagoetze) November 10, 2021
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