Finch Hatton pub gathering point for flood-stranded residents

A new publican has become a shepherd of sorts to North Qld residents cut off by floodwaters as others find themselves stranded after ignoring advice to stay off the roads.

Joe Scriha at the Criterion Hotel Finch Hatton, Monday January 16, 2022. Picture: Michaela Harlow

Stranded residents are sheltering at the pub while travellers seek refuge at the showgrounds as heavy downpours threaten to flood a major river and cut off more roads.

Criterion Hotel owner Adam Carter has owned the pub at Finch Hatton for less than a month but is now a shepherd of sorts to the locals unable to get home.

“The only place they can come to is the pub, even just to keep dry; I think most of them have cabin fever,” Mr Carter said.

The publican has told his own staff to stay home rather than take unnecessary risks on the roads, adding there were people doing the one hour drive from Mackay to the pub for breakfast and lunch.

“We don’t encourage people to come out, we would rather them be safe,” Mr Carter said.

He said there had been families driving out for meals unable to turn around an hour later.

Adam Carter owner of the Criterion Hotel Finch Hatton Monday January 16 2022. Picture:Michaela Harlow

“We are here to support anyone who needs it,” he said.

“If someone’s house is flooded and they approach us, we will put them up, absolutely, and put them up the best we can … that goes for everyone.”

Cattle Creek at Kowari Road, Finch Hatton. Monday January 16 2022. Picture: Michaela Harlow

The road to Finch Hatton Gorge, a popular tourist destination for those keen to trek the rainforest and see the waterfalls, has been completely cut off, isolating residents and accommodation spots like Wazza’s Platypus Bushcamp.

Cattle Creek, which runs through the Pioneer Valley, is swelling and gushing over the roads.

Landslides at Eungella in the Pioneer Valley as rain continues to lash the region.

There has been landslides along the range leading up to Eungella at the top of the Pioneer Valley.

And the Pioneer River at Mirani, moving closer to Mackay, could reach a major flood level of 9m “overnight Monday into Tuesday,” the Bureau of Meteorology has warned.

Joe Scriha at the Criterion Hotel, Finch Hatton, Monday January 16, 2022. Picture: Michaela Harlow

Finch Hatton farmer Joe Scriha said the wet conditions were “back to normal” as the locals knew it.

“The animals are getting a bit cold now but they’ll be right,” the cane, cattle and truck business owner said.

“We got some rain up the (Finch Hatton) Gorge and instead of going the normal way, it jumped into a channel and went down the bloody Hall Road.

“I had to get on the dozer and block that off.”

Mr Scriha said the cane they had cut just a fortnight ago would now “come to nothing” as it was swamped out.

“The rain’s here now, it can keep coming; I don’t care.

“Let it rain and clean the creek out.”

Chris Macdivitt at the Finch Hatton Showgrounds. Picture: Michaela Harlow

Chris Macdivitt, his partner, and their three kids aged 13, 12, and two, are sheltering inside the Finch Hatton Showgrounds pavilion after travelling south from Cairns.

Mr Macdivitt said another family had joined them, and they would wait to see what the water levels would do before they continued travelling south to Brisbane, given there was a king tide for the region on Tuesday.

Originally published as Finch Hatton pub gathering point for flood-stranded residents