Fitzroy River Flood

Submitted: Tuesday, Jan 03, 2023 at 14:53
ThreadID: 145187 Views:5504 Replies:13 FollowUps:9
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Not getting much media even here in WA so people elsewhere familiar with the Kimberley may be interested to hear that the bridge at Fitzroy Crossing is under water.

First time ever I'm told.

And the river is still rising after more than 500mm of rain this week at a few locations in the catchment.

All this is the result of ex-cyclone Ellie setting upcamp over the Kimberley for the last few days.

Not likely to be many tourists up there this time of year but Great Northern Highway is close between Derby and Halls Creek and advice is its likely to stay that way for some time causing a few problems for the locals.

Meanwhile over in SA I have a friend in Mannum and she's sitting on her verandah watching the water rise.

This idea of this under water blows my mind a bit.

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Reply By: Richard M29 - Tuesday, Jan 03, 2023 at 15:09

Tuesday, Jan 03, 2023 at 15:09
Would the bridge still be there I wonder. That would be a sight to see, it under water.
AnswerID: 642470

Reply By: Member - rocco2010 - Tuesday, Jan 03, 2023 at 15:15

Tuesday, Jan 03, 2023 at 15:15
Here’s a report from the Hotel

Guests stranded

There was one comment on social media suggesting bridge was damaged.
Not that anyone can check I’d reckon.
AnswerID: 642472

Reply By: Rod N - Tuesday, Jan 03, 2023 at 15:28

Tuesday, Jan 03, 2023 at 15:28
Mean while The Plenty & Donohue Hwys and Urandangi Roads are closed at the Qld-NT border and beyond into Qld due to floodwater. They will be closed for weeks, not days. Choose alternative routes.
And the Barkly Highway has suffered flood damage and Barkly Homestead has been flooded.
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Reply By: Member -Pinko (NSW) - Tuesday, Jan 03, 2023 at 16:11

Tuesday, Jan 03, 2023 at 16:11
This is my earliest recollection of the Fitzroy and it would be definantly be underwater.
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Follow Up By: Zippo - Tuesday, Jan 03, 2023 at 20:23

Tuesday, Jan 03, 2023 at 20:23
Ah, the old GNH low-level crossing (that went across through Fossil Downs ...). Takes me back.

Going through there with the child-bride in 1982 to show her that crossing (which had about a foot of silt on the roadway) it was an across-and-back, with a locked gate on the east side.

Back in the early 70's there was "a bit of flooding" there. That crossing was nominally12ft above the river bed, and the banks were a further 42 ft up. It managed to break the banks. GNH was closed for ~ 6 weeks, open for a few days, then closed for another 6 weeks. The line of semi's was spectacular.
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Reply By: gke - Tuesday, Jan 03, 2023 at 17:49

Tuesday, Jan 03, 2023 at 17:49
If my memory is correct I think it went under soon after it was completed.
Cheers, Graham.
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Follow Up By: Member - rocco2010 - Tuesday, Jan 03, 2023 at 17:59

Tuesday, Jan 03, 2023 at 17:59
I think it was Willare Bridge that went under very soon after it was completed in the early 80s.

There's a press conference on now and the Bureau of Meteorology guy says its expected the flood will peak about a meter and a half higher than previously record in Fitzroy Crossing

WA Main Roads guy said the bridge has been damaged but obviously cant be assessed until water goes down and that could be some days away.

They will be watching Willare closely as it's same construction but much longer.

Only way into Fitzroy Crossing is by helicopter and if rain continues as expected Broome and communities on the Dampier Peninsula could also be cut off.
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Reply By: Life Member - Duncan W (WA) - Tuesday, Jan 03, 2023 at 18:30

Tuesday, Jan 03, 2023 at 18:30
Fitzroy flooding

The latest from the ABC. The bridge looks buggered.
Dunc
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Follow Up By: Member - PhilD_NT - Tuesday, Jan 03, 2023 at 19:28

Tuesday, Jan 03, 2023 at 19:28
From my memory of it when we went over it a few months ago there wasn't a dip in the railings like one of the pictures shows. It would be nice if when repairing it that they make it 2 lanes, along with a number of others on that highway.
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Reply By: Member - kimberleybloke - Tuesday, Jan 03, 2023 at 18:39

Tuesday, Jan 03, 2023 at 18:39
Some pics put up by FX locals.
AnswerID: 642481

Follow Up By: Member - McLaren3030 - Wednesday, Jan 04, 2023 at 09:37

Wednesday, Jan 04, 2023 at 09:37
Yes, saw similar pictures from another site. Quite possible the bridge has sustained some damage. I wonder what the other bridges around Wilare closer to Derby are like?

Macca.
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Follow Up By: Member - rocco2010 - Wednesday, Jan 04, 2023 at 09:49

Wednesday, Jan 04, 2023 at 09:49
Macca

Latest advice is Wilare still below minor flood level but rising.

WA Main Roads rep told press conference yesterday that Wilare is same construction as Fitzroy crossing, with a hint of concern in his voice.

They will be hoping.


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Reply By: Member - Warrie (NSW) - Tuesday, Jan 03, 2023 at 20:39

Tuesday, Jan 03, 2023 at 20:39
BoM graph. It's 15.45 m now. Already 1.5 m above 2002 flood level.
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Reply By: Member - Jim S1 - Wednesday, Jan 04, 2023 at 09:34

Wednesday, Jan 04, 2023 at 09:34
Not about floods in WA, but a link to rain.
I was just able to smile when I read this advert this morning ..............

BUY A NEW BATTERY AND GET A FREE ................................. umbrella !!!!!!!!

Wow, what a bargain !!!!

A $10 umbrella with a $400 battery ........ who could resist ??

Cheers
Jim
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Reply By: Member - nickb boab - Wednesday, Jan 04, 2023 at 13:59

Wednesday, Jan 04, 2023 at 13:59
Rocca ..your friend at mannum , that would have to be mardi W ?? Lol:)) drinking pink moscato..??
Cheers Nick b

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Follow Up By: Member - rocco2010 - Wednesday, Jan 04, 2023 at 14:19

Wednesday, Jan 04, 2023 at 14:19
No Nick.

But sipping something most likely.
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Reply By: Michaeljp - Saturday, Jan 07, 2023 at 17:19

Saturday, Jan 07, 2023 at 17:19
either that bridge or the other one has indeed been washed away.
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Follow Up By: Member - John - Sunday, Jan 08, 2023 at 06:57

Sunday, Jan 08, 2023 at 06:57
morning, any further news on this report? Cheers.
John and Jan

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Reply By: Member - Dick L - Saturday, Jan 07, 2023 at 17:45

Saturday, Jan 07, 2023 at 17:45
A total of 87 troops and five helicopters from the Townsville based 5th Aviation Regiment have been deployed to help with Operation Flood Assist 23-1 to help communities hit by flooding in Western Australia.

Five helicopters, including three MRH-90 Taipans and 2 Chinook CH-47s lifted off from Townsville RAAF base earlier this afternoon to begin a two and a half day journey across the continent.

From Townsville Bulletin 7/1/23

Army to help
AnswerID: 642543

Reply By: equinox - Sunday, Jan 08, 2023 at 16:13

Sunday, Jan 08, 2023 at 16:13




Courtesy @StorerDylan

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In whatever comes our way.



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Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Sunday, Jan 08, 2023 at 19:35

Sunday, Jan 08, 2023 at 19:35
"Trucks use Low Gear"

Thanks Alan.

Bob

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Can't remember most of it.

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Follow Up By: Member - Jim S1 - Monday, Jan 09, 2023 at 08:16

Monday, Jan 09, 2023 at 08:16
In that last photo it looks as though the bridge pylon has just sunk down . Wonder if the footings were not what they thought.

Cheers
Jim
"Sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits." A fisherman.

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