The Flinders Shire Local Disaster Management Group is on standby following the flood of the Hughenden Ernest Henry Bridge and parts of town.
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Flinders Shire mayor Jane McNamara said the LDMG were on stand by because the Flinders River went over the bridge twice.
“Water has since subsided but we are currently on the watch and act phase,” Cr McNamara said on Monday.
“We need to be mindful of flooding in the township of Hughenden following 170mm of rain since the start of the weather event.”
On Sunday February 3 an emergency warning was issued for Hughenden due to the likely flood of the Flinders River.
The Ernest Henry Bridge was flooded with water and debris following heavy monsoonal rain in North Queensland.
Cr McNamara said the flooding of the Flinders River provided a test for the river banks restoration through the $1.1 million Works of Queensland grant.
“The restoration of the Flinders riverbanks has worked a treat, it is the first time that it has had its real test,” she said.
“We also did some work over at the local golf course which is where it used to break out.
“It looks like we need to do a bit more work out there once it dries up, following the floodwaters going over the bank on Sunday and causing minor flooding to the north side of Hughenden.
“There were several residences impacted but minimal effect.”
Cr McNamara is currently flooded in on her property, Abbotsford Station south of Hughenden, and had been talking to landholders about the recent rain.
“The Flinders Shire has been in drought for seven years so the rain is very welcomed from landholders in the region,” she said.
“This is just beautiful grass rain hopefully now the Mitchell Grass can start germinating and put landholders in a better position around the region.
“Graziers that have received 100mm or more are in high spirits but we still have some graziers in the shire who have not received adequate rain.
“Due to the patchiness of the rain there are still areas to the south of Hughenden that have received minimal amounts.”
Some roads in the Flinders Shire are closed due to localised flooding.
All gravel roads are closed around the shire as is the Kennedy Developmental Road.
The Flinders Highway from Hughenden to Charters Towers is partially closed due to water over the road at Powlathanga Creek west of Charters Towers.
The highway from Hughenden to Richmond is open (though the highway is closed west of Richmond) and so is the road from Hughenden to Winton.
Cr McNamara said supplies for the town are not an issue with trucks accessing town from the south via Winton.
Hughenden can expect more rain in the coming days with a very high chance of 25-35mm on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Thursday will see showers ease with an 80 percent chance of 5-10mm and a top of 25 degrees.
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Samantha Campbell
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
