Just a week short of the first anniversary of the 2019 North Queensland floods that resulted in more than $2-billion in damages, 7,000 houses flooded, three deaths, the drowning of 500,000 head of cattle and the closure of the Mt Isa Line for three months, a similar Gulf of Carpentaria monsoonal low system has begun dumping heavy rain across the same regions impacted in 2019. Rainfall figures of 300-400mm are expected over the next four days, with isolated falls of up to 900mm between Bowen and Cardwell and across the North West. So far the heaviest rain has been around Mackay, north of Townsville and around Mt Isa.

The Mt Isa Line has been reported to have been impacted by flash flooding in a number of locations between Charters Towers and Mt Isa today, the parallel Flinders Highway has been closed since yesterday, as has the Landsborough Highway between Winton and Cloncurry. Significant river flooding in the Flinders River (the primary source of damage to the Mt Isa Line last year) has not yet occurred, but may do so tomorrow.

Major flooding between Mackay and Ingham, impacting the North Coast Line and Bruce Highway is expected to occur as rainfalls increase between Monday and Thursday.

Images are now appearing in social media of a PN freight service led by 8320 caught in a washout at Prairie, east of Hughenden. 8320 is shown still on the rails in a washaway, and surrounded by fast flowing water.

Further social media images show that 8320 and its train were self-recovered under power, reversing clear of the washed out approach to a small bridge at Prairie.

Very heavy rain has fallen in the region overnight, with falls of between 99mm and 464mm so far recorded between Townsville and Bowen (to 9.00am). Winton has had nearly 120mm overnight. The situation for the North Coast Line, Mt Isa Line and western end of the Central Line remains unclear.

The westbound Spirit of the Outback has been terminated at Emerald, and will return to Brisbane from there. The Inlander has been in Cloncurry since Sunday (as far as I know). Passengers on today's Spirit of Queensland north and southbound services are being warned to be prepared for service disruptions.

Spotted this on Facebook, lucky escape here for the crew. Certainly some water flowing around the place.

https://www.facebook.com/ABCNorthWestQLD/videos/1823666484431329/

Pinched from ABC North West Queensland.

BigShunter.

The line from Emerald to Longreach should reopen on Friday , Longreach to Winton is going to be closed for longer.

The line from Emerald to Longreach should reopen on Friday , Longreach to Winton is going to be closed for longer.

Thanks for the update emerald.

The Mt Isa Line remains closed at this stage. The ABC is reporting structural damage to bridges and washouts between Torrens Creek (298km west of Townsville) and Prairie (343km west of Townsville) with some of the washouts still inaccessible and rain forecast to return later in the week. It has been closed for eight days so far.

QR has told the ABC the Mt Isa Line will be reopening on February 11th, weather permitting.

The ABC is reporting this morning the Mt Isa line has reopened, with trains moving again. The next few days should be very hectic for the line and its operators.

The ABC is reporting this morning the Mt Isa line has reopened, with trains moving again. The next few days should be very hectic for the line and its operators.

A example of some of the work undertaken.