More heavy falls ahead for Cloncurry to Hughenden

In its update at 1.47pm Monday, the BoM said the risk of heavy rainfall remains in the northwest inland.

Heavy rainfall, which may lead to localised flash flooding is expected, with the main risk being near the tropical low west of about Hughenden.

Six-hourly rainfall totals of 70mm to 120mm are possible. 

Damaging wind gusts up to 90km/h are possible to the south of the monsoon trough and tropical low.

Locations which may be affected include Julia Creek, Richmond, Cloncurry, Hughenden, Charters Towers, and Winton.

Major Flood Warning are in place for the Flinders, Cloncurry and Leichhardt Rivers with Minor Flood Warning for the Norman, and a Flood Warning for the Nicholson, Gregory, and Gilbert Rivers.

The Flinders River has already gone over the main bridge twice and exceeded the river banks to the north of Hughenden.

The Cloncurry River at Cloncurry is currently at 4.93m and steady, and is likely to remain around the moderate flood level (5m) for much of Monday.

The BoM said renewed river level rises above the major flood level (7m) are possible from late Monday, dependent on further heavy rainfall.

Cloncurry Mayor Greg Campbell said he had just attended the disaster management group meeting which warned of further heavy falls ahead for Cloncurry.

“We’ve got some heavier stuff coming before it lightens off again,” Cr Campbell said.

The Mayor said the town was coping well so far with Woolworths supermarket being resupplied via Mount Isa and Foodworks getting two plane drop offs.

Cr Campbell said people were still smiling in town and surrounding areas 

“There may be some fences lost and the handbrake will be applied to some of our roadworks projects,” he said.

“But it would have been a much bigger disaster if we didn’t get the rain.”