A different weather system to the one currently inundating much of the east coast is causing serious problems in the Outback.
Huge rainfalls in places such as Mount Dare in South Australia’s extreme north have shocked locals and travellers alike.
Mount Dare Hotel owner Sandy Scott says the business is currently surrounded by water, and bookings have been cancelled after road closures.
“It’s wonderful for all the stations but not very good for us,” Mrs Scott, who lives on site, told the Adelaide Advertiser. “We’re just surrounded by water … we’re inside a lake, virtually.”
Duty forecaster for the Bureau of Meteorology, Tina Donaldson, said the moisture was coming from the Northern Territory and Western Australia, a different rain band to the one hitting the east.
Ms Donaldson said the rain would flood roads and overflow creeks and catchments, including in the Simpson Desert, Diamantina River, Georgina River, Eyre Creek, Cooper Creek regions.
“The amount of rainfall they’re expecting will affect local transport and roads,” Ms Donaldson said. “It’s certainly quite a significant event for that area, particularly at this time of the year.”
The Strzelecki, Oodnadatta and Birdsville tracks are closed to all vehicles.
William Creek publican and pilot Trevor Wright told the ABC he believed it was the most rain the area had seen in ‘quite a few years’ going on the impact it was having on local roads.
He said the Far North had been brought to a standstill, apart from the Stuart Highway.
“No-one is going anywhere — we’re stuck wherever we are,” Mr Wright said. “Hopefully, everyone has got enough food; they’ve definitely got enough water … it will be interesting to see how quickly the roads come back because you’ve got to remember the roads out here are all dirt.”
He said a large number of tourists were on their way to the Northern Territory and the Kimberley after being unable to visit last year because of coronavirus border restrictions.
“They’re going to learn what patience is all about,” he said.
Is the road through t o Katherine from Port Augusta open via Stuar Hey…and can you travel to kunnamurra from Katherine ATM
was at mundi mundi festival and left just in time before the rains hit to leave,, near Silverton and broken hill,,,,,,it rained the first day everyone was going to the festival for early camp booking and roads were flooded, am home now , just lucky we didn’t stay at places for that extra night