Since January 1 the city has received 166 millimetres, just shy of last year’s total rainfall of 173.8 millimetres.

The Mount Isa Weather Bureau said while the rain was predicted, the amount was more than expected.

“Obviously we knew the rain was coming, but this is better than we’d hoped for,” bureau manager Les Lever said.

As a result of the rain river crossings and roads in and around Mount Isa also flooded; a sight that has not been seen in the city for some time.

Early Saturday morning Lake Julius overflowed and is 1.33 metres over the spillway.

The lake has increased more than 40 per cent in less than a week. On Friday it rose more 10 per cent.

At last reading Lake Moondarra had almost doubled in capacity since last week, and yesterday was sitting at 30.11 per cent, and rising Mount Isa Water said.

The rain was a welcome change as less than a week ago, Lake Moondarra hit 17.74 per cent while Lake Julius was at 60.84 per cent.

Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Julia Creek and Doomadgee were isolated yesterday as a result of the storms.

Police advised that all roads in and out of Mount Isa were closed, and police are urging people not to attempt to cross flooded areas.

The recent rainfall in Mount Isa is due to a monsoon trough just west of the city and an upper level trough system in the North West.

The bureau said there would be moderate to heavy falls today, further rain on Tuesday, easing to showers on Wednesday

Over the last week Gereta Station recorded the highest rainfall at 442mm, next was Herbertvale Station with 294mm, followed by 285mm in Burketown, 250mm in Camooweal, 207mm in Cloncurry, 155mm in Julia Creek and 80mm in Urandangi.