Australia Weather News

When rapidly rising floodwater began to breach their homes last Thursday week, Adavale's 28 residents knew it was time leave.

But the tiny outback town in south-west Queensland was inundated with water and the only way out was by air.

With limited dry landing space and no margin for error, residents were rescued by helicopter pilots who landed anywhere they could — from tiny patches of dirt to the roofs of people's homes.

Adavale resident Heidi Cowley described the pilots who rescued her as "angels from the sky".

"These guys don't care how tired they are and they don't care how many jobs they've got at home," Ms Cowley said.

"They were circling around trying to find a spot to land … it was just a logistical nightmare because there was no dry land for them to set down so they could get us."

They ended up landing on her roof, three times in one day.

Ms Cowley, her kids and husband were each taken separately in small mustering helicopters to a location just a few kilometres away on higher ground.

She also managed to smuggle her cat, the so-called "fourth child", onto the helicopter.

After a brief reunion on dry land, the Cowley family were flown to Quilpie, where Ms Cowley was able to pass a message on to the chopper pilots.

"I couldn't thank them enough … words just don't do it justice," she said.

"They don't ask for anything and they're still getting in their choppers and doing food drops, or fodders drops, or pushing livestock to higher ground."

Keeping people and livestock alive

At Tenham station, near Windorah, the rain started on March 21 and continued for five days.

Grazier Joe Tully said more than a thousand sheep were left stranded on sand hills and high spots dotted around his property.

"Some of them were standing in water for up to six days," he said.

Like many graziers isolated on properties, Mr Tully has received help from a fleet of helicopter pilots to locate and feed his starving livestock.

He said the community of graziers in western Queensland had been buzzing with stories about the work pilots had been doing to assist those in need, despite being affected by floods themselves.

"They've [the pilots] got boundary fences down, water through sheds, but they're not worried about that," Mr Tully said.

"They're just worried about helping their neighbours … it makes me ridiculously proud to live in this area with some really great people."

At larger air hubs like Longreach, Blackall and Charleville, bigger aircraft are picking up supplies to provide food, fuel and medical supplies to isolated communities.

A Royal Australian Air Force C-27J Spartan has delivered fuel from Longreach to Windorah, while ex-military choppers have been hauling hay for stranded cattle.

"It's pretty much, if you've got a helicopter … get out there and help out at the moment … there's quite a bit going on," Black Edge Aviation general manager Matt Baker said.

Pilot Tyler Sclippas has been supplying fuel to other pilots between Longreach and Jundah, and has seen the devastation as he flies between the two towns.

He said the view from the air was unlike anything he had ever seen before.

"Seeing cattle and sheep stranded on little islands, it's heartbreaking," Mr Sclippas said.

Floods far from over

An onslaught of heavy rainfall hit western Queensland in late March, with some properties around the region doubling their average yearly total in just a couple of days.

The rain caused river systems and catchments to swell and spill, and south-west communities along the Bulloo and Barcoo rivers — including Quilpie, Adavale, Thargomindah and Jundah — were inundated with water that entered homes and businesses.

Residents in Adavale, Jundah and Thargomindah were evacuated to nearby towns.

More than 150,000 livestock have died, with that number expected to increase in the coming weeks.

The Australian Defence Force is providing support to communities and is on stand-by to deliver fuel and food as required across Queensland.

While the water is slowly receding, residents in Thargomindah and Adavale are yet to return home to inspect the damage.