An unseasonable weather event has drenched Western Queensland in ‘almost monsoonal-like’ rainfall that has broken an 83-year rain record.
The ABC reports that the major rain event, which began on Saturday, soaked parts of central-west Queensland with more than five times the average April rainfall.
Blackall, Winton and Longreach recorded their wettest April day in decades. Barcaldine had not had a wetter day in April since 1918.
Although the unexpected downpour meant Longreach was temporarily cut off from surrounding towns due to floodwater, Longreach Mayor Tony Rayner was nonetheless ecstatic.
“It was more than good, it was bloody fantastic,” he told the ABC. “Falls of up to 100 to 200mm on many properties, the best rain we’ve seen here for a long time … fortunately that flooding has subsided a lot this morning.”
Sixteen surrounding roads in the Winton Shire Council were closed and, for a time, the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum was ‘cut off’.
Heavy rain created waterfalls in the outback region. PIC: Australian Age of Dinosaurs / 9News
Filming the area by helicopter, museum employee Trish Sloan captured the arid region transformed into raging wetlands, now flowing with waterfalls.
The museum has recorded 160mm of rain since April 23. There has been no damage to the museum but Ms Sloan told 9News that employees could not access it due to the water.
“We just can’t get to it,” she said via social media.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) said the deluge was highly unusual for the central west at this time of year.
“Usually, they see those heavier rainfalls earlier on in the year,” BOM forecaster Steven Hadley told the ABC.
Yes, here at Barcaldine, hoping the road to Aramac and Muttaburra will reopen soon, more dinosaurs to check out! The lagoon here is super full and good for birdwatching and other attractions to keep us amused and happy
amazing eh….Robert Deutsche predicted this …just stay safe