Great Christmas gift with quenching rains
GRAZIERS in the Far North’s drought-stricken interior are headed for a happy New Year after weekend downpours broke the dry spell and sent rivers into full flood.
Einasleigh, 251km southwest of Cairns, copped the biggest drenching, receiving 200mm in 24 hours, closely followed by nearby Mt Surprise with a record-breaking fall of 198mm.
The Etheridge Shire has been drought-declared since April 2013 and local farming families hope the recent rain is a sign of changing times.
At Eveleigh, 50km from Mt Surprise, Jeannie Delacour woke yesterday morning to find 140mm in her rain gauge – the cattle station’s first proper soaking in 10 months.
“We’re very excited,” she said.
“We only received a third of our annual rainfall over the past three wet seasons; this is the first decent rain we’ve had since February.
“It’s been so hard pumping water and feeding, last week was spent pulling cattle out of bogs.
“It’s a beautiful day and we’re all celebrating but in a fortnight we’ll need more rain, and a good wet season.”
Wombinoo Station, 45km south of Mt Garnet, was also granted a welcome reprieve from the dry conditions, receiving about 50mm on Christmas Day and another 50mm on Sunday
“We’ve had a break and couldn’t have asked for a better Christmas present,” said third-generation grazier Warren Jonsson.
“It was much-needed rain as we have 18 dams and of those, 16 have been dry for three months, which has never happened before.
“There’s been a little bit of run-off water but we’re working … to prepare ground for forage sorghum for the next dry season.”
Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Steven Hadley had more good news for graziers. COOL RELIEF: Julia Algeson, 9, splashes in a puddle at the Figtree Playground in Cairns. Right, a flooded Etheridge River bridge at Georgetown.
“There are further showers and storms forecast for the northwest over the coming days and possibly heavy falls,” he said.
BOM yesterday issued a minor flood warning for the Flinders and Gilbert rivers in the Gulf region.
“Minor to moderate flooding has been recorded in those catchments and any further rainfall could lead to renewed river rises in those areas,” said Mr Hadley.
“We will be monitoring that situation as it develops.” 24-hour rainfall totals to 9am yesterday Einasleigh – 200mm Mt Surprise – 198mm Robin Hood Station – 148mm