Creative planning, community manpower, temporary roadblocks and work-around fixes, all are playing their part as locals and visitors strive to repair two towns where a total of 778 homes, businesses and others structures have been inundated.

Maranoa Regional mayor Robert Loughnan says the feverish activity has had highpoints - with good news on insurance funding – and low-points - including reports of illness and problems with food storage.

“But I am really happy with the effort so far,” he said this morning. “We’ve had up to 500 in the evacuation centres in Mitchell, but there had been no shortage of food and the basic necessities.”

The truck enroute to Barcaldine was commandeered by Mr Loughnan and state authorities at the height of the flood crisis. “It had everything we might possibly need,” he said. “At that stage, we did not know how long the bridge might be out. The truck was headed for the Cornett’s store in Barcaldine, so we rang Mr Cornett and arranged to buy all the food on board.

Mr Loughnan said 490 structures, including 444 homes, were inundated in Roma and 288, including 245 homes, in Mitchell. He said feelings had run high over a series of social media reports, including several about food at Mitchell that was destroyed on the orders of Queensland Health.

“In fact there were a couple of volunteers who came down with illnesses and we could not afford to take risks that might result in dysentery or other health problems,” he said.

“There was some food destroyed, but as there was no shortage, there was no problem. Volunteers who supplied food to support the effort at Roma and Mitchell can rest assured their part was appreciated whether their contributions were used or not.”

Mr Loughnan said news that a decision by Suncorp to incorporate flood insurance into all its premiums would apply to all the company’s affected policyholders had cheered residents engaged in the clean-up.

“There is another company that planned to make a similar change from February 5,” he said. “I am waiting to hear whether it will follow the lead set by Suncorp.”