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The Bush Telegraph, Issue #023 - More Outback Flooding April 03, 2011 |
Cyclones, floods and more floodsG'day, First of all, thank you for subscribing to my newsletter, and a special welcome to all new subscribers. The Bush Telegraph is the newsletter of Rita's Australian Outback Guide. Don't miss
Sturt's desert pea along Menindee Rd out of Broken Hill Queensland FloodsAustralia has been having a wet spell for more than two years now. Everyone, especially the drought-stricken eastern states, were happy when the rains set in by the end of 2009, and continued throughout 2010.However, as I often say, "They never get it right in Australia". The severe weather conditions and flooding in Queensland started by the end of 2010. Unusual high sea surface temperatures contributed to the record rainfalls. Yes, December and January is the wet season in northern Queensland, but this year a couple of records were broken. The disaster started with cyclone Tasha at Christmas. More heavy rain events followed across Queensland and filled the river catchments. Many cities and towns were hit by floods. The Brisbane River broke its banks on 11 January 2011. You certainly saw the pictures on TV, they went all around the world. Then cyclone Yasi had its landfall near Mission Beach on 3 February 2011. It was one of the most powerful cyclones that ever hit Queensland. As a result of Yasi tropical storm systems developed and moved inland to the Northern Territory and southwards to New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria with more heavy rain and flooding. On the other side of Australia, the west coast and Kimberley area also experienced severe cyclones, tropical storms and flooding. Only Perth in the southwest records 2010 as its driest year, and March 2011 as the hottest on record. I don't want to bore you with statistics, but many towns and cities have had the highest rainfalls on record for several decades. Sadly, 35 people lost their lives in the disaster. Lake EyreHigh evaporation had dried Lake Eyre slightly as temperatures rose in October and November 2010. However, due to locals rain in the area, creeks and rivers north of Lake Eyre started flowing again. Lake Eyre North's coverage is about 80% now. Cooper Creek still has a lot of water east of the Birdsville Track, but it stopped cutting the track in January. Perhaps the recent flood of Cooper Creek near Innamincka will reach Lake Eyre in a few months.Lake Eyre South, which can be seen from the Oodnadatta Track, is full at the moment. Reader's Questions and TipsOf course, the news that Lake Eyre is filling again, is good for tourism in the region. If only the rain would stop now. Tracks in the Outback have been closed and re-opened permanently. Most of the Outback Guide's readers keep asking "when is the best time...", "when will the roads be open...", "can I go with xyz car or trailer..."?If I could only answer all these questions. Unfortunately, I don't know what the weather is like in May, June or whenever people plan to go, nor do I know what the roads are like then. Sorry. Anyway, here are some interesting questions and discussions. Although these posts are more than a year old, information is still valid, and there are some useful tips from Outback Guide readers. Here's another one The Green Way Up Adventure There have been many more reader's posts. You can always find new additions on the Outback Guide blog, where recently published (or updated) pages are listed. Thank you everyone for contributing. Of course, I am not only happy to answer your questions, I would also love to listen to your stories once you return from your trips!  What's new on the Outback Guide?I had a wonderful time in the Outback in October 2010. We travelled from Adelaide to Broken Hill, north to Camerons Corner. Then we did a quick dip into South Australia to Innamincka, saw the famous dig tree, and headed into Queensland.In Innamincka we had to hurry because another wet period was announced. The rain finally hit us in Thargomindah, Qld. We also couldn't go to Hungerford, Wanaaring and White Cliffs. Pity! The wet weather forced us to stay on the bitumen. So Cunnamulla, Bourke and Cobar were on the alternative route. Still, it was worth the trip! Boy, I have never seen the Australian Outback so green. It was just beautiful. As a result I have added these new pages, and more are to come. Enjoy!  This is a bit off topic, but if you are interested in Germany, please visit my Germany Insider Facts Guide. Stay in touch with the Australian Outback, become a fan of my Facebook page. See you there. Until next time. See ya, 
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