The Cloncurry River is in full flow while the Chinaman Creek Dam is spilling after big rains in the past 24 hours.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Cloncurry received 178.2mm in the 24 hours to 9am Saturday following 33mm in the previous two days.
Local resident Hamish Griffin has taken video footage and photos of the river which is bursting at the seams on Saturday morning at the Ernest Henry Bridge on the highway west of town.
“Epic river, I’ve never seen it like that,” Mr Griffin said.
Mr Griffin said the supermarket shelves in town were quickly running down.
“The bakery apparently has plenty of flour but milk and fresh produce will run out,” he said,
A severe weather warning remains in place for the wider region including Cloncurry.
The forecast for the rest of Saturday in Cloncurry and the North West is for cloudy weather and a very high (95%) chance of showers and rain areas. There is also the chance of thunderstorms with possible heavy falls.
The likelihood of more rain continues to Wednesday.
With further heavy rainfall predicted police are asking the public to avoid any unnecessary travel and to stay away from flood waters.
During severe weather events traversing roadways, either in vehicles or on foot, is hazardous as water levels can rise and fall quickly.
Flood waters are considered ‘dirty water’ and are full of hidden hazards lurking under the surface which can easily turn a ‘case of curiosity and sightseeing’ into a life-saving emergency.
Not only do flood waters have deceptively fast flowing currents that can easily sweep away vehicles and people trying to wade through them, they also contain untold amounts of debris such as trees, logs, building materials and wildlife.
Police are urging everyone to re-consider any unnecessary travel over the weekend.
While you’re here, subscribe to our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox every Friday at 6am.