Birdsville residents and tourists are stranded in the town while the weather office warns of rising levels along the Diamantina River.
Key points:
- Birdsville flood warning issued
- The Diamantina River has reached 6.89 meters and is growing
- A State Emergency Service boat is carrying people across the river
Dozens of marathon runners who took part in the Simpson Desert Ultra over the weekend are trapped in the town north of South Australia’s border with Queensland, while others have been able to get out by boat.
On Saturday, some of the runners crossed the river in a platform truck to reach Birdsville, after sleeping in their cars across the river before the competition.
Local police officers helped the participants, who had to cross the water and cut off roads to get to the start of the race.
But the river grew rapidly overnight and many have been stranded in the township.
An aerial photo of the flood in Birdsville. (Provided by: David Brook)
Ultrasound participant Michael Bertram told the ABC Eyre Peninsula that the Diamantina River had risen unexpectedly since they arrived in Birdsville.
“People thought they could cross the river in a boat; now they can’t go through Windorah because it’s flooded,” he said.
“The only way out is to go practically north to Mount Isa and out to Alice Springs and then back to South Australia.”
The State Emergency Service transported stranded people from Birdsville to the other side of the Diamantina after the flood. (Provided by: Michael Bertram)
Bertram said the State Emergency Service has deployed its boat to transport participants back across the river this morning.
“The city has never been flooded in June, so remember,” he said.
Others with cars are still trapped in Birdsville.
The Meteorological Office predicts that the Diamantina River will continue to rise.
A moderate flood warning was issued for the river between Birdsville and Goyder Lagoon in South Australia, with the Diamantina River reaching 6.89 meters and rising in the city.
A closed road in Birdsville after the Diamantina River flood. (Provided by: Simone Bertram)
Road access to Birdsville Township from South Australia is currently closed.
River levels are expected to remain high for the rest of the week as flood waters continue to flow from upstream.
Birdsville was cut off by the waters after a heavy flood in February.
Posted 59 minutes ago 59 minutes ago, Monday, June 6, 2022 at 5:13 AM, updated 43 minutes ago, 43 minutes ago, Monday, June 6, 2022 at 5:29 AM