Road crews tackle flood damage

Flooding in Charleville.

Debbie Davitt

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Queensland rain and floods

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RECENT tsunami warnings keep water and flood damage top of mind on Queensland’s coast, while unpredictable storms and floods again threaten the interior.

MAIN Roads crews are out and about in flood-damaged parts of Queensland this weekend, assessing road damage and carrying out repairs.

Main Roads Minister Craig Wallace said Queensland's vast road network had taken a real hammering with hundreds of kilometres of roads under water.

"I expect the damage bill to run well into the millions," he said.

"Our first priority is to repair the worst-affected areas and most dangerous sections to make them safer for motorists."

Mr Wallace said Main Roads was working closely with industry so vital food and medical supplies can reach flood-bound regions such as Roma and Charleville.

"We've got road crews ready to get cracking on emergency repairs as soon as it's safe for them to do so," Mr Wallace said.

"They're out on the Gore Highway right now between Milmerran to Goondiwindi carrying out emergency repairs.

"The road network is being regularly monitored and the damage will be assessed as soon as floodwaters subside.

"In the South West, we've got about 20 workers inspecting roads and carrying out emergency repairs to make the roads trafficable.

"I take my hat off to our road crews. Their job is not Monday to Friday, nine to five. They're out there working in difficult conditions.

Mr Wallace said as well as RoadTek staff, maintenance contractors from the Maranoa Regional Council were also hard at work, repairing the roads.

There is still no road access to Charleville and Bulloo, however repairs will start next week if the floodwaters have receded.

Major highways most affected by flooding are the Warrego Highway (Roma to Morven), the Carnarvon Highway (Roma to Injune and Surat to St George), the Mitchell Highway (Charleville to Augathella), the Balonne Highway at Bollon, the Barwon Highway (Goondiwindi to Talwood) and sections of the Leichhardt and Moonie highways.

Mr Wallace commended Main Roads workers in Roma for pitching in and helping the community mop up after the floods.

"They would have been personally affected by the floods with their own homes inundated, and yet they've put the community's needs ahead of their own. That's what I call real community spirit," he said.

Read about the big wet across Queensland ...

SES crews help flood-ravaged towns

Rivers rage as big wet continues

Floodwaters surge down river

Dawson flood threatens Theodore

Weather puts clean-up on hold

Records fall as rain continues

Weekend showers continue

View Queensland weather warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology.

To keep up to date with the latest road closures across Queensland, visit www.131940.qld.gov.au.