'It's nice to be reminded it can rain': Drought-stricken farmers rejoice as ex-Tropical Cyclone Trevor brings the first decent downpour to Australia's parched interior for the first time in a YEAR
- Residents of outback Queensland are rejoicing as ex-cyclone Trevor brings rain
- The central-west and south-west saw first decent downpour in more than a year
- Downfall was welcomed by graziers but was also a first for the younger residents
- More rain is predicted over the next few days as the system moved towards coast
Residents of outback Queensland are rejoicing as ex-cyclone Trevor brings hundreds of millimetres of much-needed rain to the drought-ravaged region.
For some areas in the central-west and south-west, it's the first decent downpour in more than a year, with more predicted to come over the coming days.
As of 9am on Thursday, the Bureau of Meteorology registered more than 200mm of rainfall at Cloncurry, in the state's north west, over a 48-hour period.
Residents of outback Queensland are rejoicing as ex-cyclone Trevor brings hundreds of millimetres of much-needed rain to the drought-ravaged region
While the unexpected downfall has been a welcomed relief for many of the region's battling graziers, the sight was also a first for some of the younger residents.
Tara Rule from Tyrone Station - near Charleville in the state's south west - told ABC News the 80mm downpour has been the best the town has seen in 12 months.
'It's been very dry ... there was no water in the dams and definitely no grass left,' Ms Rule said.
She said the rain was especially welcomed by her two-year-old son Cody, who hadn't seen it before due to them living at Tambo prior to moving to Tyrone Station.
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In the state's central west, Blackall residents recorded an average of 180mm of rainfall during the same period, and some locals registered more than 200mm.
Weatherzone stated the rainfall in Blackall was five times the monthly average, which is the heaviest rain in 25 years and heaviest in March since 1963.
Blackall IGA manager Zoe Johnson told the Brisbane Times she couldn't remember the last time the region had a similar rainfall and guessed it could be up to nine years.
'It's nice to be reminded it can rain,' Ms Johnson said.
While the unexpected downfall has been a welcomed relief for many of the region's battling graziers, the sight was also a first for some of the younger residents
Blackall IGA manager Zoe Johnson (pictured) said she couldn't remember the last time the region had a similar rainfall and guessed it could be up to nine years
She said the rain was a welcomed relief for local farmers, who have suffered the most and had been battling during the drier months.
'It's been extremely tough, you'd just be wishing there was something you could do. It's not rocket science, it just has to rain,' she said.
Before tropical cyclone Trevor hit the region, sheep farmer Rick Keogh said he was down to his last two weeks' worth of water.
Ms Johnson said the sudden downpour meant those living in drought-stricken areas - with limited water supplies - had a bit more time up their sleeves.
Nearby, the small town of Isisford recorded 146mm of rain - the heaviest record for March since the late 1800s, 9News reported.
For some areas in the central-west and south-west, it's the first decent downpour in more than a year, with more predicted to come over the coming days
Further south, at Mount Calder, as much as 214mm of rainfall was recorded over the last 48 hours, while Brisbane has only recorded about 20mm during the same time.
While locals haven't considered the sudden rainfall drought-breaking, more wet weather is expected to come over the next few days and into the weekend.
The Bureau of Meteorology has predicted a new system could bring a further 15-30mm across the interior late Friday into the weekend.
Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Gabriel Branescu told ABC News southeast Queensland should expect more rain, as the system moved towards the coast.
He said the upper trough should move to the south east, and therefore the heavy rain will spread into the Central Highlands and Coalfields.
'The rainfall won't be as heavy as it is in the central interior, but there's still potential for 20 to 40mm of rainfall more towards the coast on the weekend.'
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