As area hit
(YESTERDAY) MORNING IT WAS RIGHT UP ON THE FOOTPATH, RIGHT NEXT TO THE SHOP. YOU JUST NEVER KNOW WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN AND WHEN IT’S GOING TO STOP GRAHAM BAKER
stop,” he said. “We’ve got all the bread and milk in very short supply so hopefully the rain stops so we can get that stuff through (today).”
DRIVER RESCUED
With the Bruce Highway cut to the north and south of Ayr for most of the day, rapid river rises also saw motorists in dangerous situations.
Swiftwater rescue teams were called to Jerona Rd near Greenacres yesterday morning to rescue a driver caught in floodwaters.
As the southern part of the country continues to burn in what has been an unprecedented summer bushfire season, Burdekin MP Dale Last said many long-time residents agreed this was the biggest flash flooding event Home Hill and Ayr had seen.
“We’re obviously still counting the cost of the damage … but dozens of homes and businesses were affected with such a huge amount of rainfall in a short space of time,” Mr Last said.
Residents and businesses hit by flooding were asked to lodge a report via council’s customer service team to pass on to relevant agencies.
Home Hill State School, Home Hill State High School, Airville State School, Jarvisfield State School, Kalamia State School, Brandon State School and Osborne State School closed yesterday but were expected to reopen today.
FORECAST
Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Peter Markworth said heavy downpours that triggered flash flooding across the Burdekin were triggered by a tropical air mass being “sucked into” a low pressure system.
“That kind of convergence is still expected around from Townsville to Mackay. We’re not expecting totals like (yesterday) but we will continue to monitor the situation,” Mr Markworth said.
“We’re expecting those conditions to move north to Cairns and Cooktown where