Outback motorists need to monitor road conditionsOutback motorists need to carefully monitor road and track conditions ahead of the heavy rains which are expected in the northern parts of South Australia over the next few days.That’s the advice of the SA State Emergency Service (SES) following a Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) forecast of up to 200mm of rain in the northern parts of the state, including the Flinders Ranges, over the next few days.Acting SES Chief Officer Dermot Barry said it was likely that the expected heavy rains could close a number of roads and outback tracks for a week or more.“This could cause people becoming stranded in the middle of summer with insufficient fuel, water or food,” Mr Barry said.“Given that it is school holidays, we are particularly concerned about people who are camping in the Outback or Flinders Ranges who may find themselves unable to get out because of flooded roads and tracks,” Mr Barry said.He strongly urged outback motorists to check the condition of outback roads and tracks on the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure website dpti.sa.gov.au/OutbackRoads.Mr Barry said it was critically important that outback motorists had plenty of fuel, water and food, irrespective of the time of year they were travelling.“Up-to-date maps are also important along with a satellite phone in remote areas because there is very limited mobile phone coverage,” he said.“Regularly keeping in touch with friends and family is also important. Outback motorists should let them know where they are, what their travel plans are, and when they expect to arrive at their destination.“Parts of the South Australian Outback are very isolated, often with many hundreds of kilometres between towns where essential items can be replenished,” he added.The State Emergency Service advises that people should: not drive, ride or walk through floodwater never allow children to play in floodwater camp on higher ground but not under trees or in creek beds drive to the conditions. Stormwater and localised flooding may have left mud and other debris onthe road.
Posted on: Wed, 07 Jan 2015 23:08:30 +0000
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