Roads around the north west are not right as rain, as many motorists have discovered.
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Torrential rain has left highways flooded and many drivers trapped around the region.
Julia Creek
Mount Isa resident Alice Plath drove to Townsville on Friday and has been unable to make it back home.
“It was raining quit a lot on Friday when we were driving, but all of the roads were still open,” Ms Plath said,
“I have slowly been making my way back. We made it to Charters Towers and had to stay there on Sunday night because the road to Prarie was closed.
“The road to Julia Creek opened early on Tuesday so I made it there last night.”
Ms Plath made her dash to Julia Creek just in the nick of time, as the road was closed again today.
“I am stuck in Julia Creek now, the police said the road back to Mount Isa might open again on Friday but that depends on if it rains again,” Ms Plath said.
“I have had to book a flight back to Mount Isa on Friday, so I will just leave my car here at a friend’s place.”
McKinlay
Walkabout Creek Hotel owner Debbie Wust said travellers trapped in McKinlay have been escorted out of town by RoadTek workers.
“Everyone has managed to make it through now,” Ms Wust said.
“RoadTek came and checked the road and the vehicles followed them through out of town.
“The road closed signs are still up and we got a fair bit of rain in the catchment last night. The river is starting to rise again,” she said.
“Because nobody is here now I think we will be okay. We have frozen food and beer.”
Winton
More than 200mm of rain has been recorded over the Western River and upper Diamantina River catchment area in the past two days.
Bureau advice said river levels were expected to commence easing today.
Winton Shire Council has placed dirt and gravel barriers at the Boulder Opal Motel entrances.
Max Lubke said while all guests had left, he, his manager and wife, and the motel chef, had all elected to stay.
“Anything could happen of course, especially if there’s more rain, but everything’s holding and we’re quite comfortable,” he said.
Kynuna
Kynuna police have come across a few motorists who are stranded until water subsides.
Kynuna Officer in Charge Graeme Ferguson thanked motorists and truck drivers for their patience during the road closures until water subsides across the highway.
“We have had a massive flow of water come through the Gilliat channels, which was about to claim the pub, but the water has since subsided,” Sen. Constable Ferguson said.
