After suffering years of devastating drought, some much-needed rain over the past week has brought joy to many parched Outback communities.
Some towns in Queensland’s central west have recorded far more than 100 millimetres of rain. Barcaldine, east of Longreach, had its wettest day on record with 105 millimetres in one 24-hour period. And the ABC reports that in the north west, Cloncurry recorded more than 70 millimetres, while parts of south-west Queensland around Charleville and Roma had about 80 millimetres.
“It’s quite an exceptional rainfall event – and a bit more context again – the total amount of rainfall received in Brisbane over the last month was 56 millimetres and these are places that don’t typically get that sort of rainfall, so quite exceptional,” said forecaster Sam Campbell
More rain is expected.
For travellers though, it has meant dozens of road closures in recent days, including the flooding of the road between Longreach and Barcaldine.
South Australia is also being lashed by extreme weather and has even seen a tornado causing damage near Murray Bridge and Monarto.
With the Bureau of Meteorology predicting more heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding, as well as large hailstones and 125km/h-plus winds, many South Australian Outback roads have already been closed. * Have you been caught up in any of the recent wild weather? Has it affected your travel plans? Comment below.
