URGENT UPDATE: A devastating flood crisis is unfolding across North West Australia as residents face an unprecedented 477 millimeters of rainfall. The deluge has rendered many areas, including Cloncurry, inaccessible, cutting off vital access to livestock and supplies.
Peter and Hannah Hacon, who operate a station in Cloncurry, are among those caught in this high-stakes waiting game. With their property transformed into an island, they are anxiously monitoring their rain gauge and awaiting the opportunity to assess the impact on their livestock. “At this stage, it’s difficult to know the full extent of the damage,” Mr. Hacon stated. “Visibility has been limited for several days due to ongoing rain.”
Families throughout the region are on high alert as flooded roads and submerged causeways disrupt daily life. Many producers are stranded in town, and others remain isolated on their properties. The emotional toll is evident, especially for those who remember the catastrophic floods of 2019, which resulted in the loss of approximately 2,500 head of cattle for local stations.
Mrs. Hacon recounted the trauma associated with such flooding events, saying, “Like many people up here, we carry a bit of post-traumatic stress disorder when we see these systems roll in.” She emphasized the vulnerability of their situation, particularly as livestock birthing season coincides with the floods.
Support has poured in from the community during these challenges. Mr. Hacon praised the assistance received during the previous crisis, noting, “People we’d never met were sending fruit cakes and smoko, volunteers were turning up from miles away to help with the clean-up.” The couple is hopeful that similar solidarity will emerge in the days ahead.
Further south, Terri and Ian Pedracini of Scartwater Station, located 180 kilometers from Charters Towers, reported 165 mm of rainfall on Christmas Day. Although the flooding has not yet impacted their operations, they remain cut off from town, raising concerns about their access to essential supplies. “The flooding does affect us from getting into town,” Mrs. Pedracini explained. “We will begin to notice the effects of the flooding in the new year.”
As the rain continues to fall, authorities are urging residents to stay vigilant. The situation remains dynamic, and the true extent of the damage will not be known until conditions improve and aerial assessments can be conducted.
Local farmers are anxiously awaiting news of their livestock and the potential for recovery. Mr. Hacon expressed cautious optimism, stating, “Assuming conditions stabilize, it’s shaping up to be a good season overall, which should have positive flow-on effects for our pasture, production, and markets in the months ahead.”
Residents are encouraged to stay informed and connected as this situation develops. The impact of these floods will be felt long after the waters recede, making community support and resilience more critical than ever. More updates will follow as authorities monitor the situation closely.
