Disaster management groups are on alert after communities in Queensland's Gulf were cut off by flooded river systems over the weekend.
The region is known for its 'dry flooding' events – where major flooding occurs without much rain – as large river systems, such as the Gregory, Nicholson and Leichhardt rivers, carry water north from lower parts of the state's west.
Roads into the remote towns of Doomadgee and Burketown had been cut off by floodwater, said emergency management coordinator for the District Disaster Management Group (DDMG), Elliot Dunn.
"Over the last week, we've seen some significant falls across the entire west of Queensland, and while it's most welcome, it is leading to some flooding in the Gulf.
"The region hasn't had huge rain. It's just these catchment areas are massive, so the rain that we saw north of Mount Isa is making its way up through that Gregory catchment at the moment.
Supplies would be flown into the communities if needed, he said.
Steady rain but surging rivers
Mayor of Burke Shire Council Ernie Camp said parts of the Gregory had "well and truly reached over 12 metres."
Parts of the Gulf recorded more than 200 millimetres of rainfall over a seven day period.
Century Mine at Lawn Hill saw 217mm while Burketown recorded 146mm.
Westmoreland Station, in Burke Shire, recorded 345mm over the week, while Herbertvale Station, near Camooweal, saw 263mm.
At Herbertvale, grazier Shelley Hawkins said the rain and flooding were a welcome relief.
"We've had a few below-average seasons the last few years, but typically the end of January or early February is a pretty good time for us," Mrs Hawkins said.
Mrs Hawkins and her family will be homebound for some time.
"[The river systems] are all running well. We certainly won't be running to town for a few weeks, which is a nice thing to have happen," she said.
Jason Simms runs a station in the Gregory Downs and has recorded about 180mm of rain at the property in the last 10 days.
"We've got a lot of floodwater around the homestead at the moment, which has been slowly creeping up the last couple of days.
"We've sandbagged the kitchen.
"Our young fella has been kayaking around the compound all morning. We're in a good spot with all the rain we've had. It's good to see."
Mr Dunn said contrary to popular belief, many locals enjoyed being cut off from the rest of the world this time of year.
"These communities are very used to being isolated. Some of them actually enjoy it. And we'll be keeping an eye on food stocks and supplies."
