14 May 1974   Floods in the north

On Tuesday 14 May 1974 it was reported in the Advertiser that the record torrential rains in the north of South Australia had caused more than $2 million damage to outback roads. Coober Pedy was cut off and Andamooka isolated; food supplies were later flown in from Woomera by helicopter. A bus load of tourists which tried to travel from Kingoonya to Ceduna had been forced to turn back. Cooper's Creek was three miles wide at the crossing of the Birdsville track and it was expected to flow for another eight months.

Further rain that day washed away 20 cars and flooded shops in the main street of Clare, while a tornado tore through Eudunda bringing down roofs and power lines and uprooting trees. The heaviest fall reported was 442 points at a farm north of Gladstone and the Hutt and Lower Light Rivers burst their banks. By Tuesday night all roads out of Port Augusta were cut. The rail line to Alice Springs was also cut causing the 'Ghan' to postpone its departure. By the end of the week the rains had moved into Victoria leaving South Australia with a massive clean-up.

The Advertiser, 14,15,16,17 May, 1974.