Outback Towns Thrive Amid Floods, Wildflowers Bloom

0:00Sydney's story is making news on March 19th. Remote outback towns, birdsville, and Badori in Queensland have been cut off by flooding for five weeks now. These spots near the Simpson Desert, home to just a few hundred folks total, can only be reached by plain since early February. Roads are underwater from heavy rains, and more flooding is expected, keeping them isolated for at least another month. Luckily, both places dodged major damage, with Badori's levee bank sitting 1.2 meters above the 1974 flood height. Supplies are holding up thanks to airdrops of essentials like fresh produce, meat, bread, pet food, and medicine. Badori even got its first male delivery in five weeks last Friday, weighing 519 kilograms. The local stores have good stockpiles of non-perishables, but luxuries are running low, with birdsville shopped down to only two flavors of chips, and no soft drinks or chocolate coming in on government flights. Birds are taking it in stride, as there are no strangers to road closures from even 30

1:03millimeters of rain. Long-time residents like station owner David Brook, born there in 1947, say the cattle are thriving in what could be their best season. Ever, the pub in birdsville is keeping spirits high with theme nights like disco and American prom to entertain everyone while stuck. The mayor of Daimantina Shire notes that while some newer folks are adjusting, the old hands are guiding them through. The big red-bashed music festival in July got cancelled, and flying in or out costs the fortune, but people are resilient and just make do with long life. Milk instead of fresh. Meanwhile, the floods have transformed the desert, turning red sands green with wild flowers blooming and lake air filling like it has in since the 1970s. Tourism will start late, but officials say it's an oasis like never before, though warmer years might bring more of these events ahead. We'd like to thank our sponsor for making this episode possible. If sleep podcasts are your thing, this is your pillow, built for comfort and calm,

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