Just got back from a proposed 5 days in the Connondales. Set up Sunday, occasional showers and very humid. While some rain was forecast for the next few days, Monday was fine and Tuesday okay in the morning. Increasing heavy rain was forecast from Wednesday on, but we decided to stay until Friday as booked..
Well Tuesday evening, very heavy rain started pouring down at 9.50pm and continued non stop for the next 6 hours. No wind and only the occasional lightning flash - the rain was so heavy did not hear any thunder.
Wednesday morning, up at 6.00am, after over 300mm of rain, we were still dry but the local creek had risen considerably and changed our clear swimming hole to a raging torrent. Water too deep and fast flowing at the two road crossings for Park Rangers to get into park to check on occupants. Water more than chest deep and flowing fast! Three tent campers, and us, the only van in the park. Later on Wednesday afternoon, a brave policeman from Maleny managed to get in with his Toyota Cruiser with snorkel and water over bonnet. Water level dropped considerably overnight and as more rain was forecast (and to get worse on Thursday pm and Friday), we decided to pack up and get out during a break. So after walking through the two crossings to check depth and obstructions, successfully negotiated both crossings with water up to the top of wheels on my Colorado and just under the floor of the Penguin. Only because axle was reversed did we have that clearance, so no water entered the van. I had only just finished apply another coating of black rubberised sealing material (for about the fifth coat) a couple of weeks ago too.
Met Park Rangers on the way out who were now gaining access to tell everyone to leave and that the park was closing. Don't know how a lady in a Suburu was going to do it as did not have high clearance.
Glad we got out when we did, as although we were quite safe and well above the flood level and had sufficient food for a couple more days, there has been another 300 to 400 mm in the areas since we left.
The one good thing was that despite the huge amount of rain in such a short time, there were no leaks in the van and everything stayed dry!
Below are just a few pictures of BEFORE and AFTER shots of what was paradise. Stay safe and always be careful when Mother Nature intervenes in your holiday.
Well Tuesday evening, very heavy rain started pouring down at 9.50pm and continued non stop for the next 6 hours. No wind and only the occasional lightning flash - the rain was so heavy did not hear any thunder.
Wednesday morning, up at 6.00am, after over 300mm of rain, we were still dry but the local creek had risen considerably and changed our clear swimming hole to a raging torrent. Water too deep and fast flowing at the two road crossings for Park Rangers to get into park to check on occupants. Water more than chest deep and flowing fast! Three tent campers, and us, the only van in the park. Later on Wednesday afternoon, a brave policeman from Maleny managed to get in with his Toyota Cruiser with snorkel and water over bonnet. Water level dropped considerably overnight and as more rain was forecast (and to get worse on Thursday pm and Friday), we decided to pack up and get out during a break. So after walking through the two crossings to check depth and obstructions, successfully negotiated both crossings with water up to the top of wheels on my Colorado and just under the floor of the Penguin. Only because axle was reversed did we have that clearance, so no water entered the van. I had only just finished apply another coating of black rubberised sealing material (for about the fifth coat) a couple of weeks ago too.
Met Park Rangers on the way out who were now gaining access to tell everyone to leave and that the park was closing. Don't know how a lady in a Suburu was going to do it as did not have high clearance.
Glad we got out when we did, as although we were quite safe and well above the flood level and had sufficient food for a couple more days, there has been another 300 to 400 mm in the areas since we left.
The one good thing was that despite the huge amount of rain in such a short time, there were no leaks in the van and everything stayed dry!
Below are just a few pictures of BEFORE and AFTER shots of what was paradise. Stay safe and always be careful when Mother Nature intervenes in your holiday.