In South Australia’s far north flood waters flowing in from Queensland are inundating stations and cutting off communities. The small town of Innamincka is no longer accessible by road but thanks to efforts from volunteers a levy is protecting the community from the record high water levels.
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:00A hastily constructed levee to protect Inaminka from rising waters.
00:07The Cooper Creek has become a vast inland sea, with levels breaking the record set in 1974.
00:15When these guys rocked up we sort of thought, oh it must be serious if the SES has got here.
00:20It's a wet baptism for Laura Blackwell, who only moved to Inaminka a few weeks ago to take over managing the hotel.
00:27The town's now been cut off by road, but she says they're stocked up and prepared for what's coming.
00:34We should be okay, we were lucky, the town had a couple of trucks last week, so fingers crossed we've got enough to get us through.
00:41At the local trading post, they're losing out on their usual busy tourist season, but the locals' concerns are for others.
00:49We're not as bad as a lot of other people, you know, like Queensland.
00:53Just a lot of stress, with making sure that we get the fuel in to keep the choppers in the air, to keep moving the cattle ahead of the water.
01:04Station owners don't know when the roads will open to allow them to get cattle out, and they're facing other challenges.
01:12This early in the year we've got quite a few inexperienced staff, and they haven't had too much experience driving around, so we've had quite a few people getting bogged.
01:21In Aminka's saving grace, a so-called defence cell levy, the same system that was used to protect Murray communities during floods two years ago.
01:30Our SES volunteers have been in Inaminka since Saturday, and have been working continuously to prepare the town, and working with local residents and station holders.
01:39The State Emergency Service says further flood peaks are expected, as the flood water continues towards the Birdsville Track and Katitunda Lake Eyre.
01:50Thank you, Mr. Ken.
01:52I Park.
01:53Don't say so.
01:54Look at you.
01:55Good morning everyone.
01:56You're welcome.
01:57Take care.
01:58Keep care.
01:59Keep care.
02:00Keep their time.
02:01Take care.
02:02Eat care, sis.
02:03Keep caring.
02:04Shen bugün