Record-breaking rain is keeping South Australia on flood watch after a weekend deluge turned streets into rivers, destroyed major highways, and washed away cars across the state’s outback.
Communities along the Eastern Eyre Peninsula, Flinders Creeks, Yorke Peninsula, and Broughton River on Monday remained at risk of flooding as thunderstorms and rain linger over the state, having already caused havoc further inland over the past couple of days.
The heavy downpour also has other major cities on notice, with storms set to move slowly eastwards in the coming days.
Social media was awash with dramatic images of South Australia’s record-breaking downpour, with outback roadhouses and rescue teams marvelling at the chaos.
Council workers were last night attempting to repair a patch of the Olympic Dam Highway between Pimba and Woomera that had been washed away, with a temporary fix put in place to let trapped residents through.
“Roxby Downs is now an island and cut off from civilisation. We are in our own Bubble,” posted Simon Darling on Saturday night.
“It just keeps coming,” posted the Cudgee Bar in Woomera as the rains slammed down.
“Wild to see water cascading down Christmas Hill Road, Opal Creek Boulevard, School Road and Dodgy Drive,” wrote the Andamooka Observatory.
“Well done to the community for looking after each other and helping out where they can.”
Elsewhere, the Coober Pedy Mine Rescue team shared images of car that had been washed away in floodwater on Outback Highway in the northern Flinders Ranges near Beltana.
Roxby Council on Sunday said there were still large areas of the Stuart Highway covered by water and, with another severe weather warning issued for the region, motorists are advised to delay travel plans or make alternative travel arrangements where possible.
The Bureau of Meteorology said some inland areas of South Australia copped an all-time record drenching, with hundreds off calls for assistance and 11 people requiring rescuing after being trapped by floodwaters.
The South Australian State Emergency Service on Monday said multiple roads and towns on the Yorke and Eyre peninsulas may be damaged or covered in debris, with residents urged to prepare their homes for flooding.
Meanwhile, thunderstorms have developed in the Northern Territory on a trough near the southern Barkly District and are moving very slowly northwards.
This is likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding at Barrow Creek.
The Bureau was predicting unsettled conditions for most of the country throughout the rest of the week, including hot, sticky weather and rain.
Storms are predicted to head eastwards as the week progresses with Western Queensland next in the firing line.
