QUEENSLAND FLOOD SUMMARY 2010 onwards

SOUTH WEST QUEENSLAND

Heavy rainfall that was recorded in the final 7 days of 2009 continued into 2010 and during the first week of 2010 totals in excess of 100mm were recorded throughout the Thomson and Barcoo Rivers, in the upper Channel Country catchments as well as throughout the Gulf Rivers and North Tropical Coast. By the 7th of January major flood levels were being recorded in the Bulloo, Paroo and Barcoo Rivers. During the last week of January two Tropical Cyclones were contributing both directly and indirectly to flooding in Western Qld as well as along the Central Coast. Olga's crossing overnight 24/25th north of Cairns and then 2nd landfall on the 26th around Normanton produced localised flooding in the Barron, Mulgrave, Russell, Gilbert, Norman and Flinders Rivers. OLGA's path during the last days as an Ex-TC was followed by renewed river rises throughout Western QLD

Warrego River: Heavy rainfall during the first week of January in the headwaters of the Langlo and Ward Rivers produced a major flood peak at Warilda during the morning of the 7th of January. Minor to moderate flooding also occurred downstream of Charleville along the Warrego River.

Paroo River: Heavy rainfall during the first week of January in the Paroo River catchment produced a moderate flood peak at Hungerford during the 2nd. Flood Warnings began on the 1st of January and continued until the 15th of January.

Bulloo River: Heavy rainfall during the first week of January in the Bulloo River catchment produced a major flood at Quilpie during the 5th January. of January which extended downstream causing moderate flooding at Thargomindah. Flood Warnings began on the 1st of January and continued until the 17th.

Thomson/Barcoo/Cooper River: Constant heavy rainfall during the first week of January in the Thomson and Barcoo River catchments produced widespread major flooding. Major flooding along the Barcoo River caused widespread isolation of properties and traffic disruptions. Major flood levels were also recorded on the Thomson River at Longreach. Floodwaters from the Thomson and Barcoo Rivers reached the Cooper Creek at Windorah and produced the 10th highest flood with a record dating back to 1971. Flood Warnings began on the 1st of January and continued until the 29th of January.

Diamantina River: Heavy rainfall during the first week of January in the Western River tributaries produced a moderate flood at Winton during the 7th. Floodwaters extended downstream over the following week causing minor to moderate flooding. Flood Warnings began on the 7th of January continued until the 25th of January.

Georgina River: Heavy rainfall during the first week of January upper Georgina River catchment produced a minor to moderate flooding between Urandangi and Bedourie. Floodwaters remained high into February along Eyre Creek. Flood Warnings began on the 7th of January and continued into February.

Townsville Streams: Following the path of Ex OLGA south, the monsoon trough produced moderate to heavy falls in and around Townsville. Minor to moderate flooding was recorded along the Bohle River and Louisa Creek. The Ross River Dam filled to over capacity resulting in a controlled spill.

Haughton River: Following the path of Ex OLGA south, the monsoon trough produced moderate to heavy falls in the Haughton River. This flood was the 3rd highest on record. Flood Warnings began on the 27th of January and continued into February. A major flood peak of 2.99 metres was recorded at Giru during the 30th.

Don River: Following the path of Ex OLGA south, the monsoon trough produced moderate to heavy falls in the Don River catchment. A minor flood peak was recorded at Bowen during the morning of the 31st.

Pioneer River: Following the path of Ex OLGA south, the monsoon trough produced moderate to heavy falls during the 30th and into the 31st. Major flooding was recorded at Mirani Weir which extended downstream causing minor flooding at Mackay. Flood Warnings were issued throughout the 31st of January.

Connors/Isaac River: Following the path of Ex OLGA south, the monsoon trough produced moderate to heavy falls south of Mackay. These rainfalls produced moderate flooding along the Connors River and also along the lower Isaac River. Flood Warnings began on the 26th of January and continued into February.

Localised flooding was also recorded in the following locations:

Maranoa River: Moderate flooding at Bollon.

Moonie River: Minor flooding at Nindigully.

Border Rivers: Moderate flooding in the Goondiwindi area.

Dawson River: Moderate flooding at Taroom.

Herbert River: Minor flooding at Abergowrie.

Mulgrave/Russell Rivers: Minor flooding between The Fisheries and Peets Bridge on the Mulgrave River and minor flooding at Buckland's on the Russell River.

Barron River: Moderate flooding at Bolton Road.

Magnificent Creek: Moderate flooding at Kowanyama.

It then travelled through the interior of Queensland and moved into the North East corner of South Australia before moving along the Queensland-New South Wales border eventually reaching South East Queensland on the 7th of February. Ex-Tropical Cyclone Olga then moved westward until finally exiting Queensland overnight on the 9th of February.

Widespread shower and thunderstorm activity, spreading to rain over some areas was recorded throughout the 16th through to the 19th of February. The establishment of a firm ridge over Queensland during the 19th and 20th brought more stable conditions and confined rainfall to coastal and northern parts of the state. This moderate to heavy rainfall produced floods of varying severity in the Nogoa, Comet and Dawson Rivers.

CENTRAL COAST:

Haughton River: Flooding in the final days of January in the Haughton River continued to ease. Flood warnings which began on the 27th of January were finalised on the 1st of February.

Burdekin River: Isolated major flooding on the Belyando River in the Albro area.

Fitzroy River: Rainfall assocaited with the monsoon trough produced moderate flooding in the Connors and Isaac Rivers during the final days of January. Moderate flood levels continued downstream causing minor flooding in the Tartrus area on the Mackenzie River. Flood levels at Rockhampton remained well below the minor flood level. Flood warnings which began in January continued through February and into March.

Further rainfall that was recorded between the 16th and 19th of February produced flooding in three of the Fitzroy River tributaries:

Comet River: Record major flood levels along the Comet River isolated the township of Rolleston. Major flood levels at Rolleston were the highest on a record dating back to 1958.

Nogoa River: Minor flood levels at Craigmore produced a peak spill of 1.1 metres at Fairbairn Dam. Flood levels at Emerald remained well below minor. 

Dawson River: Rainfall in the upper Dawson River and tributaries produced a major flood at Taroom. Rainfall recorded during the 15th produced minor to moderate flooding with some isolated major flooding in the Baralaba area.

Baffle Creek: Rainfall assocaited with the monsoon trough produced major flooding at Mimdale and cut the Essendean Bridge for a number of days. Flood warnings which began on the 2nd of Frebruary continued until the 5th.

SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND:

As Ex-Tropical Cyclone Olga tracked eastward across the southern border areas of the state, widespread showers, thunderstorms and heavy rain resulted, producing falls in excess of 200mm throughout the South East region by 9am on the 7th February. The heaviest rainfalls were recorded at the base of Mount Tamborine with up to 450 mm in 12 hours. Major flood levels were recorded at Benobble in the Albert River catchment however fast rises and minor to moderare flooding was recorded throughout the Gold Coast rivers and streams.

Rainfalls then moved north into the Sunshine Coast area during the 7th of February producing minor to moderate flooding in the Pine and Caboolture Rivers as well as moderate flooding in the Mooloolah area. A coastal warning for flash flooding was issued early on the 7th of February and continued into the 8th.

SOUTH WEST QUEENSLAND:

By 10am on the 3rd of February Ex-Tropical Cyclone Olga was located over the far northeast corner of South Australia. It then moved eastwards and during this time produced areas of moderate to heavy rainfall and flooding in the Bulloo, Paroo, Warrego, Condamine and Balonne Rivers.

Once the system had left the South East corner it then moved further west producing more areas of moderate to heavy rainfall and flooding on already saturated catchments including the Paroo and Bulloo Rivers.

Bulloo River: Moderate to heavy rainfall from Ex-Tropical Cyclone Olga in early February lead to a major flood at Quilpie, with moderate flooding further downstream between Autumnvale and Thargomindah. During the second week of February moderate to heavy rainfall produced a higher major flood between Adavale and Quilpie and prolonged moderate flooding downstream to Thargomindah. Flood warnings that began on the 2nd of February continued throughout February and into March.

Paroo River: Moderate to heavy rainfall from Ex-Tropical Cyclone Olga in early February lead to a moderate flood between Eulo and Hungerford. During the second week of February moderate to heavy rainfall produced higher river levels with moderate flooding at Eulo and Hungerford and isolated major flooding at Cairwarro. Flood warnings that began on the 3rd of February continued throughout February and into March.

Warrego River: Moderate to heavy rainfall from Ex-Tropical Cyclone Olga in early February produced a moderate to major flood in the Langlo River between Warilda and Binnowee. A moderate flood extended downstream from the Langlo River to the Lower Warrego River. A moderate flood peak was recorded at Cunnamulla on the 10th of February. Flood warnings that began on the 4th of February continued until the 26th of February.

Condamine/Balonne Rivers: The initial passage of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Olga in early February produced moderate to heavy rainfall in a wide area. A major flood peak was recorded at Roma on Bungil Creek. This flood extended downstream with a major flood peak of 7 metres. Flooding extended downstream from Bungil Creek producing a major flood at St. George a week later. Flood warnings which began on 1st of February continued until the 22nd.

CHANNEL COUNTRY:

Intense rainfall associated with the movement of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Olga in early February prolonged moderate to major flooding in the Thomson and Barcoo Rivers and in Cooper Creek as well as producing moderate floods in the Diamantina and Georgina Rivers and in Eyre Creek.

Thomson/Baroo/Cooper: Moderate to heavy rainfall in early February assoicated with Ex-Tropical cyclone Olga produced moderate flood levels along the Thomson River. Moderate to major flooding was recorded along the Barcoo river. Downstream on the Cooper Creek at Windorah, major flood levels were recorded for over one week. A second burst of moderate to heavy rainfall was recorded with Ex-Tropical Cyclone Olga's second movement. This rainfall prolonged flooding in the Barcoo River. Flood warnings which began on 1st February continued into March.

Diamantina River: Scattered showers with moderate to heavy falls produced isolated moderate flooding in the Diamnatina Lakes area in the second half of February. Flood warnings which began on 14th of February continued into March.

Georgina River: Moderate flooding which began in January continued into February. Flood levels eased below minor flooding during the second week of February. Heavy rainfalls were recorded in the Western areas of the Georgina River catchment in the final days of February. Stream rises and flooding developed ino March. Flood warnings which began on the 31st of January continued until the 7th of February.

GULF RIVERS:

Tropical Cyclone Olga's western movement from the tropical north coast as well as its second crossing (once reformed) produced very heavy rainfall. Moderate flooding was recorded on the Flinders River at Richmond with river levels exceeding the Flinders River crossing downstream at Walkers Bend causing major flooding for over 10 days. Minor to moderate flooding was also recorded in the Norman River between the Yappar River junction and Normanton. Isolated major flooding was also recorded on the Nicholson River at Escott Station.

Monsoon activity in the second half of February produced moderate to heavy rainfall along the Gulf of Carpentaria coastline. The heaviest rainfalls were recorded in the Upper Flinders River catchment in the Richmond area as well as upstream of Escott Station on the Nicholson River. Some localised minor flooding was recorded in the Gilbert River catchment. Flood warnings which began on the 29th of January continued until the 14th of February. Flood warnings were re-issued on the 17th of February and continued into March.

Gilbert River: Scattered moderate to heavy rainfalls were recorded in the headwaters of the Gilbert and Einasleigh Rivers as a result of the movement of Tropical cyclone Olga. These rainfalls produced minor flooding at the Gilbert River crossing at Rockfields and at the Einasleigh River crossing at Eveleigh.

Norman River: Following the crossing of Tropical Cyclone Olga moderate flooding was recorded at the Yappar River junction with minor flooding between Glenore Weir and Normanton.

Flinders River: Heavy rainfall associated with the crossing of Tropical Cyclone Olga produced moderate flooding and significant local flood issues in the Richmond area. Flood levels from both the upper Flinders and Cloncurry rivers extended downstream and produced a major flood at the Flinders River crossing at Walkers Bend. Flood levels stayed above the level of the bridge (major flooding) for over 10 days.

Nicholson River: Heavy rainfall produced Ex-Tropical Cyclone Olga (gefore it reformed in the Gulf) produced major flooding in the Nicholson River at Esoctt Station.Minor flooding was also recorded at Burketown.

SOUTH WEST QUEENSLAND:

An exceptional rain event affected central Australia, Queensland and far northern New South Wales during the last week of February and first week of March. The event began on the 22nd February, when a strong low pressure system developed over the Top End within the monsoon trough. the low tracked south through central Australia then east across the southwest Queensland border in northern New South Wales. The system produced heavy rainfall along its path causing widespread, record breaking flooding.

The most remarkable aspect of this event was the area covered by the heavy rainfall and the total volume of rainfall that fell. Daily rainfall totals exceeded 100 mm over 1.7% of Australia on the 1st March and 1.9% on the 2nd March. The latter is the largest area of 100 mm-plus daily totals on a single day in the Australian meteorological record, breaking the previous record of 1.7% set on the 22nd December 1956. The 2nd of March was the wettest day on record for Queensland with a state-wide average rainfall of 31.74mm, exceeding the previous record of 31.49mm set on the 21st of May 1981.

Over the 10-day period ending 3 March 2010 an estimated 403 cubic kilometres (403,000 gigalitres) of rainfall fell across the NT and QLD. This resulted in major flooding in most of the catchments of southern inland Queensland. Compared with a notable previous flooding event in the region of comparable extent and severity (April 1990), peak rainfall amounts have been smaller but heavy rains (10-day totals exceeding 200 mm) have covered a much larger area.

Record flood heights were recorded in a number of towns in the affected areas including on the ParooRiver at Eulo, in Bradley’s Gully at Charleville, on Wallam Creek at Bollon, on Bungil Creek at Roma, on the Moonie River at Nindigully and Thallon and on the Balonne River at St. George, Surat, Dirranbandi and Hebel. The Dawson River at Theodore and Moura reached its highest levels since 1956, with the Maranoa River at Mitchell and the Warrego River at Cunnamulla both reaching their highest levels since 1990. For more dtails on this flood please click on the following link.

CHANNEL COUNTRY:

Extremely heavy rainfall was recorded during the 24 hours to 9am on the 1st of March. Widespread daily totals in excess of  150mm were recorded in Eyre and Cooper Creeks and in the lower Diamantina River catchment. 

Eyre Creek: Heavy rainfall that was recorded in the 24 hours to 9am on the 1st of March produced moderate flooding through the Eyre Creek catchment. Flood warnings that began on the 1st of March continued until the 25th of March.

Diamantina River: Heavy rainfall that was recorded in the 24 hours to 9am on the 1st of March produced moderate to major flooding throughout the lower Diamantina River catchment. Flood warnings that began on the 1st of March continued until the 26th of March.

Cooper Creek: Heavy rainfall that was recorded in the 24 hours to 9am on the 1st of March produced moderate to major flooding throughout the lower Barcoo River and the entire Cooper Creek catchment. Flood warnings that began on the 1st of March continued until the 25th of March.

SOUTH WEST QUEENSLAND:

Extremely heavy rainfall that was recorded in the Channel Country on the 1st of March moved furhter west and during the 2nd of March daily totals in excess of 100mm were recorded throughout the Bulloo, Paroo, Warrego, Maranoa, Balonne, Condamine, Moonie and Weir Rivers as well as in the Wallam and Mungallala Creek catchments.

Bulloo River: Heavy rainfall that was recorded throughout the catchment produced widespread major flooding and in some areas record major flooding. River heights at Quilpie and Thargomindah both recorded their heighest levels since January 1974 with the gauging station at Autumnvale recording its highest level on record. Flood warnings that began on the 1st of March continued until the 18th of March.

Paroo River: Heavy rainfall that was recorded throughout the catchment produced widespread major flooding and in some areas record major flooding. Record flood levels were recorded throughout the top of the Paroo River catchment. The most significant of these is at Eulo where it recorded it highest level in 120 years of record. Flood levels at Hungerford were the highest since 1990. Flood warnings that began on the 1st of March continued until the 23th of March.

Warrego River: Heavy rainfall that was recorded throughout the catchment produced widespread major flooding including some local areas of record major flooding. Bradleys Gully recorded its highest flood level on record as a result of rainfall recorded overnight between the 1st and 2nd of March. Flod levels are believed to have reached well above 4 metres with the previous gauge only reaching to 4 metres maximum. Downstream flood levels were generally at their highest level since April 1990 and Feb 1997. Flood warnings that began on the 1st of March continued until the 17th of March.

Wallam/Mungallala Creeks: Heavy rainfall that was recorded throughout the catchment produced widespread record major flooding. At all stations in these catchments record flood heights were recorded. Many properties and towns were inundated including Bollon. Flood warnings that began on the 3rd of March continued until the 11th of March.

Condamine/Balonne Rivers: Heavy rainfall that was recorded throughout the catchment produced widespread major flooding including some local areas of record major flooding. River levels at Surat, Roma, St George, Dirranbandi and Hebel all recorded their heighest levels on record. With river levels elsewhere at their highest since April 1990. Flood warnings that began on the 1st of March continued until the 26th of March.

Moonie River: Heavy rainfall that was recorded throughout the catchment produced widespread major flooding including some local areas of record major flooding. Record flooding was recorded mainly in the lower Moonie River. Nindigully and Thallon both recording their heighest levels on record. Flood warnings that began on the 1st of March continued until the 18th of March.

Weir River: Heavy rainfall that was recorded throughout the catchment produced widespread major flooding including some local areas of record major flooding. Record flooding was recorded mainly in the lower Weir River. Flood warnings that began on the 2nd of March continued until the 19th of March.

SEQ RIVERS:

Mary River: Rainfall that was recorded during the 7th of March in the Upper Mary River produced minor to moderate flooding. A moderate flood was recorded at Gympie which indundated the David Trumpy Bridge. Flood warnings that began on the 2nd of March continued until the 9th of March.

WIDE BAY AND BURNETT:

Burnett River: Heavy rainfall was recorded in the Burnett River during the first week of March. Rainfall in the Auburn River during the 4th of March produced the largest flooding in the area since 1971. Rainfall recorded during the 7th of March in the Barker and Barambah Creeks as well as the Stuart and Boyne Rivers produced moderate flooding with localised areas of major flooding.  Flood warnings that began on the 2nd of March continued until the 9th of March.

CENTRAL HIGHLANDS:

Dawson River: Heavy rainfall that was recorded throughout the catchment produced widespread major flooding including some local areas of record major flooding. Flood levels were generally the highest recorded in the area since 1983. Flood warnings that began on the 1st of March continued until the 17th of March.

Comet River: Heavy rainfall that was recorded throughout the catchment produced widespread major flooding. This was the fourth major flood that travelled through this region in 2010. Levels however were not as high as what was recorded in February 2010. Flood warnings that began on the 1st of March continued until the 17th of March.

TROPICAL CYCLONE ULUI:

Flood warnings were required for the Connors and Isaac Rivers in the Fitzroy River Catchment and also the Don, Haughton and Burdekin Rivers, with only six major flood warnings, namely for the Pioneer River and Funnel Creek and the Connors River in the Fitzroy catchment.

TROPICAL CYCLONE PAUL:

TC Paul was named on the morning of Sunday 28 March. The cyclone intensified further to category 2 during the next 24 hours while describing a series of slow loops close to the coast near Cape Shield. During 29 March, TC Paul tracked west across Blue Mud Bay then over land where it weakened below TC intensity on 30 March. The low then moved southeast back over the southwestern Gulf of Carpentaria on 1 April, but vertical wind shear prevented redevelopment of a tropical cyclone. The low continued to weaken as it moved back over land near the NT-Queensland border on 2 April, bringing heavy rain to the Gulf Country.

Heavy rainfall assocaited with Ex-Tropical Cyclone Paul produced daily totals in excess of 200mm along the North West area of the Qld/NT border. Record major flood levels were recorded at Doomadgee and Escott Station on the Nicholson River.

CARNARVON REGION FLOODING:

Warrego River: Heavy rainfall recorded in the Carnarvon region during the second week of September produced minor to moderate flooding in the upper reaches of the Warrego River catchment and on the lower Warrego River at Cunnamulla Weir and Rocky. A below minor flood peak was recorded at Charleville. Flood Warnings that began on the 5th of September continued into October.

Thomson/Barcoo Rivers: Heavy rainfall recorded in the Carnarvon region during September produced minor flooding along the Barcoo River down to the Retreat area. Localised heavy rainfall in the headwaters of the Thomson River produced minor flooding upstream of Longreach. Flood Warnings that began on the 19th of September continued into October.

Belyando River: Heavy rainfall recorded in the Carnarvon region during September produced rises in Native Companion Creek and major flooding further downstream at Albro station. A Flood Warning for major flooding was issued on the 20th of September and finalised on the 27th.

Fitzroy River Basin: Heavy rainfall recorded in the western areas of the Fitzroy River basin during September produced several flood peaks in the Nogoa, Comet, Mackenzie and Dawson Rivers. Flood Warnings for the Fitzroy River basin began on the 5th of September and continued into October.

Nogoa River: Several river rises were recorded at Craigmore with the largest peak produced in the last week of September causing minor flooding. Fairbairn Dam began spilling during the third week of September, eventually recording a below minor flood peak to 1.23m on the 29th.

Comet River: Minor to moderate flooding was produced along the Comet River as a result of heavy rainfall in the Carnarvon region and also in the Springsure area.

Mackenzie River: Minor to moderate flooding was produced along the Mackenzie River as a result of upstream floodwaters extending downstream from the Nogoa and Comet catchments.

Dawson River: Heavy rainfall in the upper Dawson and Don Rivers and in Juandah Creek produced minor to moderate flooding along the Dawson River. A localised major flood peak of 6.03m was recorded in the Taroom area.

BORDER RIVERS:

Flood Warnings for the Border Rivers began on the 5th of September and continued into October.

Macintyre River and Tributaries: Heavy rainfall was recorded in the Macintyre Brook and in the Macintyre and Dumaresq River catchments throughout September. There were four individual flood peaks recorded on the lower Macintyre River at Goondiwindi with the largest flood peaking at 8.83m causing major flooding.

Weir River: Minor to moderate flooding was produced in the lower Weir River as floodwaters from the Macintyre River broke out.

SEQ QUEENSLAND

Brisbane River catchment: Rainfalls in excess of 200mm in the top of the Stanley River catchment combined with widespread 100mm falls throughout the rest of the upper Brisbane River catchment in the 48 hours to 9am on the 12th of October to produce minor to moderate flooding above Wivenhoe Dam. This flooding provided both Somerset and Wivenhoe Dam with good inflows eventually producing the first large scale gate operation at Wivenhoe Dam since 1999.

Minor flooding was also recorded in Lockyer Creek in the Lyon's Bridge area, in the Bremer River around Rosewood and Walloon and in Warrill Creek around Amberley.

Flash flooding was also recorded in some of the nothern suburbs of Brisbane including Strathpine, Zillmere, Wooloowin and Deagon, causing traffic disruptions and some inundation of residential areas. Flood warnings that began on the 11th of October continued until the 19th.

Pine and Caboolture Rivers: Rainfalls between 150-250mm were recorded over 48 hours to 9am on the 12th of October throughout both the Pine and Caboolture River catchment areas. River level rises were recorded throughout the area however no stations reached the minor flood level.

Sunshine Coast Rivers and streams: Rainfalls of between 150-350mm were recorded in 96 hours to 9am on the 12th of October. Minor to moderate flooding was recorded in the Mooloolah and North and South Maroochy Rivers and in Coochin, Doonan, Paynter, Mountain and Pterie Creeks. Flood warnings that began on the 8th of October continued until the 9th.

Mary River: Rainfalls recorded in the 48 hours to 9am on the 12th of October produced a major flood peak in the upper Mary River at Bellbird Creek. Minor flooding was recorded in the Gympie area and extended further downstream to Home Park. Flood warnings that began on the 10th of October continued until the 14th.

SOUTHERN BORDER RIVERS

Macintyre/Weir: Rainfall recorded during the second week of October produced a major flood peak of 8.97m at Goondiwindi, the 7th peak above minor flood level since August. Minor to moderate flooding was also recorded in the Weir River as a result of rainfall that fell in the 24 hours to 9am on the 9th of October. Flood warnings that followed on from September continued until the 24th of October.

Condamine/Balonne Rivers: Heavy rainfall recorded in the upper Condamine as well as in Myall and Dogwood Creeks produced minor to moderate flooding along the Condamine River to the Cotswold area. Moderate to major flooding was recorded on the Balonne River between Warkon and Weribone with a minor flood peak recorded at St George. Flood warnings that began on the 10th of October continued until the 25th.

CENTRAL WEST AND CHANNEL COUNTRY

Thomson/Barcoo/Cooper: Heavy rainfall was recorded in the 24 hours to 9am on the 8th of October along the Barcoo River catchment. Moderate flooding was recorded between Blackall and Glenlock with major flooding at Retreat. Minor flooding was recorded on the Thomson River between Camoola Park and Jundah with a moderate flood peak recorded on Cooper Creek at Windorah. Flood warnings that began in September continued until the 26th of October.

Other Flooding: Minor to moderate flooding was also recorded in the Upper Dawson River around Taroom and further downstream around Baralaba and also in the Bulloo, Paroo, Moonie and Warrego River catchments.

The event began on the 23rd of December with evidence of an active monsoon trough across the north of the state extending to a weak low over the Coral Sea, just off the north Queensland Tropical Coast. The low intensified during the 24th of December to be named Tropical Cyclone Tasha early on the morning of the 25th. Tasha was a very short lived weak cyclone crossing the coast to the near south of Cairns around 5am on the 25th and then continued southwest movement through the interior to around the Richmond area by the 26th of December.

Although the system produced heavy rainfall and gale force winds about the North Tropical Coast, it is most notable for the intense rainfall it then produced over Queensland’s central and southern interior and about the southeast coast. It was this heavy rainfall that brought about record breaking floods in the Fitzroy River catchment, parts of the Burdekin River catchment, the Condamine River and river systems in the Wide Bay and Burnett region.

Record flood heights were recorded in a number of towns in the affected areas including Emerald on the Nogoa River, Rolleston on the Comet River and Theodore on the Dawson River. High river levels were recorded elsewhere in the state and in some instances their highest for over 60 years.

High levels were recorded at Taroom, Moura and Baralaba on the Dawson River, Rockhampton on the Fitzroy River, Mundubbera, Gayndah and Bundaberg on the Burnett River, Alpha on Alpha Creek and Jericho on the Jordan River, Warwick and Condamine on the Condamine River and Chinchilla on Charley’s Creek and Dalby on Myall Creek. 

For more information on individual township flooding click here.

Southeast Queensland had experienced very much above average to highest on record rainfall for the month of December. Further rainfall then followed in the first week of January, saturating the catchment area.

By the 7th of January a combination of weather systems centred themselves over land over the Burnett River catchment area. These systems combined to produce heavy rainfall and major flooding in the Mary River catchment and about the Sunshine Coast before moving southward into the Pine and Brisbane River catchments. Heavy to very intense rainfall from the 9th to the 12th of January resulted, causing rapid creek rises and extreme flash flooding in the Lockyer Valley and major river flooding in the Brisbane and Bremer Rivers.

Record flood heights were recorded at various locations along Lockyer and Warrill Creeks and the Bremer and the upper Brisbane River. Peak river levels on the Bremer River at Ipswich and along the Brisbane River between Mt Crosby and Brisbane city remained below the 1974 flood level.

Heavy rainfall causing river level rises was also recorded in other areas of the state including the Mary, Burnett, Dawson, Condamine, Macintyre, Moonie, Logan/Albert Rivers and in Charley's and Myall Creek. 

Renewed rises were recorded in many areas of the state which had already been affected including Warwick, Dalby, Chinchilla, Condamine, Bundaberg and the Dawson River towns of Taroom, Theodore, Moura and Baralaba. 

As Yasi tracked steadily westward across northern Queensland the system typically produced heavy rainfall over a catchment area for no more than 24 hours and very intense rainfall for a period of around 6 hours. This assisted to minimise the period and severity of river flooding associated with the system, however major flooding still occurred in the Johnstone, Herbert, Haughton and Bohle River catchments with isolated major flooding in the Gregory River at Gregory Downs in the Nicholson River catchment.

A new river height record was set at Sellheim Alert at Macrossan Bridge on the Burdekin River, though this station opened in 2002 and river heights exceeding 20 metres have been recorded at Sellheim TM a co-located station, prior to this time. River heights records were also set at Giru Alert on the Haughton River, Gairloch Alert on the Herbert River and Bluewater Alert on Bluewater Creek.

Several others sites also recorded peak river height levels that rank in the top 10 highest river levels on record for that location.

The heavy rainfall also produced major flooding in the Johnstone, Herbert, Bohle and Gregory River catchments and in Bluewater Creek.

For more information on flooding associated with TC Yasi click here.

River levels downstream of these locations were high however no significant issues were sustained as levels remained below what was recorded earlier in December and January.

A persistent inland surface trough extending across the western interior of the state, interacted with a series of upper level troughs to produce widespread rain and thunderstorms with some moderate falls occurring on the 10th and 11th of December. Further heavy rainfall developed late in the month along the central coast and central and southern interior as an upper level low, associated with ex-tropical cyclone Fina, crossed the central coast and moved southwest over the central interior. These two major rainfall events led to major flooding along the Balonne, Maranoa, and Macintyre Rivers and in Bungil Creek affecting the towns of Roma, Surat, St George, Dirranbandi, Hebel, Mitchell and Goondiwindi. Minor to moderate flooding was also recorded in the Warrego, Paroo, Bulloo and Barcoo Rivers and in Cooper Creek. Minor to moderate flooding was also recorded in the Flinders River and in isolated areas in the Gulf Country.

Persistent flooding was recorded throughout the state for the duration of the month. The most notable of this flooding was associated with a widespread rainfall event recorded between the 25th - 27th. During this event the following catchments recorded minor to moderate flooding and in some localised areas major flood levels were recorded:

Condamine/Balonne (including Charleys and Bungil Creeks), Fitzroy (including the Dawson and Connors/Isaac), Baffle, Mary, Sunshine Coast Rivers and Streams, Brisbane, Logan and Albert Rivers.

Flood warnings that began in March continued into April.