Rio shares slip in UK after Qld floods

Shares in Anglo-Australian mining company Rio Tinto PLC slipped in the UK after it reported that heavy flooding in Queensland is impacting on its coal mining operations.

Rio Tinto said Wednesday it has declared force majeure on some sales contracts because of the heavy rain. The clause excludes the company from liability for unforeseen events beyond its control, meaning it can miss contracted deliveries without penalty.

The shares fell 20.5 pence, or 0.45 per cent, to 4,552.5 pence in midday trade in London.

Rio Tinto Ltd stock closed at $85.45 in Sydney on Wednesday before the company's announcement.

Monsoonal rains in Queensland, coming on top of significant rainfall last month, have affected transport links.

Rio Tinto says ongoing adverse weather means it can't provide an estimate of the full impact or duration of the force majeure declaration.

NSW mayor crashes car after flood tour

The mayor of a flood-stricken NSW town has crashed his car after returning home from a day inspecting damage.

Kyogle mayor Ernie Bennett's car flipped onto its side after hitting an embankment on a rural road about five kilometres north of Casino on Wednesday afternoon.

"It's one of those things that always happens to other people but yesterday it happened to me, unfortunately," he told AAP on Thursday.

Mr Bennett, a cattle farmer from Theresa Creek, said he was unsure exactly how the accident happened but he was unhurt.

The crash was not related to the floods and the road was clear at the time, he said.

Mr Bennett's car was a write-off and he'll now be getting around on his Harley-Davidson motorbike.

He had spent the day inspecting the flooding in Kyogle and speaking to the media.

About 175 people were evacuated from the town earlier in the week but have now been allowed back home.

Water levels had fallen, Mr Bennett said, but there was major damage, particularly to roads

Supplies dropped to isolated community

Floods have cut off the central Queensland Aboriginal community of Woorabinda and power and phone lines are down.

But police said the community was coping well and government aircraft had ferried in provisions and taken some patients from the Woorabinda Hospital to Rockhampton.

"Police would like to reassure relatives and friends that everybody in the community is safe and well and being cared for to the best of their ability," police said in a statement on Thursday.

"The power supply and phones will be restored as soon as crews can fix the faults."