Advertisement

Campers rescued amid rising flood waters at East Leichhardt Dam

Five people have been rescued and dozens are stranded at East Leichhardt Dam, near Mount Isa.

Five people have been rescued and dozens are stranded at East Leichhardt Dam, near Mount Isa. Photo: 9 News/X

Five people have been rescued while dozens remain stranded at a campsite after flood waters from a nearby dam began rising rapidly.

The call came in just after 1am on Sunday reporting 29 people were marooned at a campground at East Leichhardt Dam, east of Mount Isa in Queensland’s far north west, with two of those stuck in the water.

The rescue efforts began with police and swift water rescue firefighters using an inflatable boat to cross the dam to get into the flooded campsite, while other first responders made their way in on foot.

All campers were accounted for and no injuries were reported.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services transported five people, including young children, who did not have food out of the campsite using an inflatable boat.

The remaining campers decided to stay at the site until the water levels subsided.

A thunderstorm warning has been issued along the western border of Queensland, spanning across Mount Isa, with warnings of further rain over the next 24 hours for the region.

There has been 33mm of rain recorded at East Leichhardt Dam in the past 24 hours.

-AAP
Advertisement
Stay informed, daily
A FREE subscription to The New Daily arrives every morning and evening.
The New Daily is a trusted source of national news and information and is provided free for all Australians. Read our editorial charter.
Copyright © 2024 The New Daily.
All rights reserved.