FLOODING and road closures in the North West are likely to ease this week, according to a spokesman from the Mount Isa Bureau of Meteorology.
Yesterday several roads were still closed due to high water levels leaving towns and travellers isolated but weather is predicted to ease this week.
Bureau of Meteorology acting field officer Ken Kato said weather should clear from Mount Isa east but rain may persist in the Gulf.
"The monsoonal activity has eased off (in the Gulf).
"It's drifted off to the Coral Sea and taken the weather with it but there might still be some showers and thunderstorms, it's a bit hit and miss," he said.
Mr Kato said last week's heavy weather and flooding would likely dissipate by the end of the week.
"The heavier weather from last week is pretty much gone now but there's a slight chance of thunderstorms still in the regions," he said.
Mount Isa itself will remain fairly dry with the chance of an afternoon thunderstorm later today but unlikely.
Road conditions
As at yesterday afternoon the following roads were closed according to RACQ's road conditions website:
- Richmond to Winton at Colaraine and Alick Creek.
- Croydon to Georgetown, Gulf Development Road
- The Lynd Junction via Einasleigh, Gregory Developmental Road
- Hughenden to The Lynd, Kennedy Development Road
- Richmond to Winton, Landsborough Highway turn off
- Winton to Corfield, Kennedy Development Road
- Richmond to Julia Creek and at Boundary Creek, Flinders Highway
- Aramac Torrens Creek road
- Muttaburra to Prairie
- Hughenden to Muttaburra Road
- Burke Development Road
- Leichhardt River Crossing
- Gregory to Burketown, Wills Development Road
- Burketown to Doomadgee
- Hells Gate (Doomadgee to the Northern Territory)
- Lawn Hill Road, Gregory to Century and Century to Lawn Hill Station access road
- Julia Creek to Burke and Wills
- Augustus Downs to Donors Hill
- Camooweal Gregory Downs Road
Meanwhile, councils in the North West will benefit from federal and state government funding for rain and flood damage.
Federal Emergency Minister Robert McClelland, Queensland Premier Anna Bligh and state Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts announced last week that joint government disaster relief and recovery arrangements had been activated in 11 local councils.
The Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements would provide assistance to areas hit by recent heavy rainfalls since January 27, Mr McClelland said.
"Recent rain and floods have taken their toll on our communities, so its vital that we offer affected residents all the help we can," Mr McClelland said.
Ms Bligh said the Burke, Central Highlands, Cloncurry, Doomadgee, Flinders, Murweh, Richmond, Carpentaria, Quilpie, McKinlay and Mount Isa councils could access funds for counter disaster operations and to restore damages public assets.
Mr McClelland said both the federal and state governments were committed to helping individuals, families and communities hit by disasters.
"These storms impacted a widespread area across the state and have caused damage to property and community infrastructure," he said.
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