Creek causes flood damage in Mt Magnet

Mt Magnet is counting the cost to roads and property after flash flooding of Baramia Creek late yesterday.

Acting Shire CEO Eddie Piper said the water level rose by more than a metre in about 40 minutes and up to two metres not long after after heavy rains.

Mr Piper said one council-owned unit, used by a town doctor, had been substantially damaged and may possibly need to be razed.

“It came down that quickly, we just had no chance (to prepare),” Mr Piper said.

“It started about 4.30pm, then the storms moved in and by 5.30pm it was like a tropical downpour.

“Some are suggesting we had about 20mm, but there could have been more.”

Mr Piper said Shire work crews would hand sweep dirt from roads for the next few days.

At least several crossings had been affected by sand washaways.

The Shire works manager will start inspecting the gravel road network today.

“Who knows what impact it’s had on our bush gravel roads,” Mr Piper said.

He said depending on the damage the Shire would seek State and federal government funding for road repairs.

Several years ago the Shire received federal disaster recovery funding after a rain event damaged the road network.