Drowned rats or just good weather for ducks: Huge rain band drops heavy falls across country
A large rain band sweeping across northern and central Australia has prompted extensive flood warnings, closed roads and disrupted communities.
Floodwaters in the Kimberley region of Western Australia earlier this year.(AAP Image/Supplied by Andrea Myers)
Parts of South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory are being impacted by the unseasonable weather system with rainfall totals over the next few days expected to hit 100 millimetres in some areas.
And in the Northern Territory there is even some speculation of a snow flurry at peaks near Alice Springs, but while it expects the region to cold the Bureau of Meteorology remains unconvinced about snow.
Queensland is likely to feel the tail-end of the season with some heavy rains predicted from Monday.
In WA, the Bureau of Meteorology has maintained a flood watch for the Pilbara, Kimberley and interior districts.
The rain will ease on Wednesday before the system redevelops on Thursday and peaks on Friday when up to 50mm could be dumped across the region, it said.
“River and creek level rises and localised flooding are possible, however, river levels are expected to remain below the minor flood levels,” the bureau added.
“Localised flooding may affect secondary road conditions which is likely to impact travel and movement initially across the northern Pilbara, Sandy Desert, and the Kimberley.”
In the NT, the bureau said flooding was possible in the southern and central regions.
It said up to 80mm of rain had fallen over the past few days and totals between Wednesday and Sunday could hit 100mm, well above the June average of about 20mm.
In SA, a flood watch was in place for the northwest and northeast pastoral districts and the Flinders Ranges.
“Heavy rainfall across the flood watch area may cause areas of ponding and overland flow, along with rises in local creeks and overbank flooding,” the bureau said.
“Roads, travel and transport may be impacted, and communities may be cut off.”
SA police said a number of outback roads had been closed, including the Birdsville, Strezlecki and Oodnadatta tracks and the William Creek Road.
They also urged people planning to drive to the Birdsville Big Red Bash from July 4-6 to postpone or reconsider their travel routes.
Last week, similar flood concerns hit Adelaide and the surrounding hills with heavy rain swelling creeks and rivers.
At one stage two private dams at Hope Forest and Basket Range were at risk of collapse and the State Emergency Service took more than 250 calls for help.
The deluge took rainfall totals in the city so far this year to more than 320mm, its wettest first-half total for more than 35 years.
