Outback Queensland cut off by intense floods from ex-cyclone with conditions to worsen

Evacuations have been carried out and a major arterial road has closed as ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily continues to dump significant rain on Queensland’s north-west.

While most of the region avoided heavy rain, properties in and around McKinlay and Kynuna were inundated with between 400 millimetres and 500mm of rain over the past 48 hours.

That is more rain than most properties receive in a year, according to locals.

Six people were evacuated from a cattle station at Kynuna on Monday afternoon. 

The Flinders Highway — a major transport route connecting western Queensland with the coast — was also closed near McKinlay.

“Expect the Flinders Highway to be cut off for some time. In early 2023, the road was cut for about a week and this time we’ve had more rainfall,” Superintendent Tom Armitt of the Mount Isa Police District said.

Police urged residents in the McKinlay and Kynuna areas to prepare for further evacuations with floodwater expected to rise over the coming days.

“It does not look like Kirrily is moving anywhere soon and we expect heavy rain to continue over the next 48 hours,” Superintendent Armitt said on Monday afternoon.

“We need people to be aware that more rain is coming. They need to make assessments about their safety and whether it is sustainable to stay on their properties.”

Biggest McKinlay flood in 10 years

At the Walkabout Creek Hotel in McKinlay, the McKinlay River rose 1.7 metres above the Landsborough Highway bridge after nearly 200mm fell in the 24 hours to Monday.

“It’s the highest I’ve seen it in the 10 years we’ve been here,” publican Debbie Wust said.

“It’s just weird that we got all the big weather and Cloncurry, just up the road, didn’t — it’s a very strange weather system.”

Well-accustomed to flooding around the wet season, Ms Wust said the pub had supplies that should last the town’s 10 residents and stranded truckies about a week.

“I’ve stocked up on pies and frozen stuff … we’ll keep the beer flowing and the locals entertained,” she said.

“It’s going to be a while before the water goes down.”

Concerns over cattle losses, clean-up ahead

Over the 48 hours to Monday afternoon, 305mm fell on Wade McConachy’s Moorooka Station in the McKinlay Shire.

He said he was concerned about the scale of damage to his property and potential loss of livestock.

“Last year we had similar rain and we lost two dams that we then rebuilt. I’m concerned that they might be gone again,” he said.

Mr McConachy said rain totals rivalled those recorded in the devastating 2019 floods. 

“[But] it’s a lot warmer than then so it’s unlikely we will lose many to hypothermia,” he said.

On Sunday night, 210mm fell on Mark Fegan’s Penola Downs station near McKinlay where it had been raining since Friday.

“I think that’s probably the most ever, if not right up there,” he said.

“There will be a big clean-up when this moves through … but it looks like things aren’t over yet.”