Severe flooding across Northern Australia and Queensland
Consensus Summary
Severe flooding has hit Northern Australia and Queensland, with several remote communities in the Northern Territory being evacuated due to major flooding on the Katherine and Daly rivers. The town of Katherine experienced its worst flooding in 28 years, with the river peaking at 19.2 metres. The Daly River community reached a new record flood level of 16.26 metres, exceeding the previous 1998 record. In Queensland, the Burnett River in Bundaberg is expected to peak around 7.6 metres, just below the 2010 flood levels. Hundreds of homes and businesses are at risk of inundation, and the flooding has led to the closure of major bridges, isolating parts of the city. Boil water alerts have been issued in several affected areas, and authorities have warned of the risks posed by crocodiles in the floodwaters. Recovery efforts are underway, with the Northern Territory government requesting assistance from the Australian Defence Force in Katherine.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The Katherine River in the Northern Territory peaked at 19.2 metres, the worst flooding since 1998
- The Daly River community reached a record flood level of 16.26 metres, exceeding the previous record of 16.25 metres in 1998
- Hundreds of residents have been evacuated from remote communities in the NT including Daly River, Palumpa and Jilkminggan
- The Burnett River in Bundaberg, Queensland was expected to peak at 7.6 metres, just below the 2010 flood level of 7.92 metres
- Parts of Bundaberg were isolated after the closure of major bridges due to the flooding
- Boil water alerts were issued for Darwin, Katherine, Beswick and Tindal due to flood damage to water infrastructure
- Crocodiles have been spotted in floodwaters across affected areas, posing an additional risk to residents
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Police in Katherine have rescued people trapped in their homes due to the flooding
- A temporary emergency department has been set up in Katherine's industrial area after the town's hospital was evacuated
- The NT government has requested assistance from the Australian Defence Force to help with the recovery effort in Katherine
- In Bundaberg, hundreds of homes and businesses are expected to be impacted by the flooding
- The Daly River community has had to be evacuated for the second time this year due to major flooding
- Five people were rescued after being caught in floodwaters in central Queensland
- Two Chinese tourists died after their car was washed away by floodwaters in the Gympie region
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- The Burnett River in Bundaberg was reported to have peaked at 7.4 metres in one article, while another stated it was expected to peak at 7.6 metres
Source Articles
Daly River flood nearing worst on record, with more rain forecast
Flooding in the remote Northern Territory town of Daly River is edging closer to becoming the community's worst on record, with more rain forecast for parts of the Top End.
NT requests ADF help with flood recovery as central Australia braces for rain
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro is asking the federal government to deploy the ADF as floodwaters start to recede in parts of the Top End, while emergency services brace for more rain in central Australia.
Aerial footage shows swollen Katherine Gorge – video
The Northern Territory's Nitmiluk/Katherine Gorge has been inundated with water as an extreme weather event passed over parts of northern Australia. A tropical low brought heavy rain to large parts of the Top End and northern Queensland. Several flood warnings were in place for the NT on Saturday, including for the Katherine and Daly rivers, while most of Queensland remained on flood watch. There are crocs absolutely everywhere’: NT residents warned to stay out of flood waters as hundreds evacua
‘A saltwater crocodile on the AFL oval’: worst flooding in decades inundates NT as residents urged to avoid water
Schools and highways close and Territorians living near major rivers leave amid possibly record-breaking rain Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Katherine’s mayor has warned locals to be wary of flood waters inundating the town after a crocodile was spotted on the town’s AFL oval, as residents are warned to boil their water amid the record-breaking deluge. As rain and storms continued to soak the Top End on Monday,
Communities across Top End face ongoing major flooding
The communities of Beswick and Daly River are both facing major flooding today, as Katherine River rises once again to moderate levels overnight. Despite this, many students in Katherine will be returning to school.
NT cop Ben Parfitt rescued 27 schoolchildren from a flooded caravan park. Then he made headlines for saving a dog
German shepherd helped into helicopter hovering above 4WD stranded in flood waters that have inundated much of northern Australia was ‘amazing’ Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Northern Territory emergency service workers are used to rescuing people from the water. But they’re typically helping people at sea – not in flood waters. Sen Const Ben Parfitt found himself escorting 27 schoolchildren from a caravan park
Daly River flooding worst on record as Katherine mayor calls for ADF assistance
Flooding in the remote Northern Territory town of Daly River has become the community's worst on record, surpassing the previous highest water level recorded in 1998.
Darwin told 'conserve water' amid dam crisis as consumption exceeds supply
People in Darwin, Palmerstorn and its surrounding areas will need to keep boiling water before consumption for the foreseeable future, as work to restore the Darwin River Dam's pumps continue.
Chopper rescues pair and dog from croc-inhabited floodwaters in Katherine
Authorities are emphasising warnings not to drive in floodwaters, as dramatic vision emerges of a driver, passenger and dog stranded in rushing water in Katherine being winched to safety by a helicopter.
'We've lost everything': Sudden flooding at Darwin River shocks residents
People have had to be rescued from croc-inhabited waters and some have lost everything following flooding in Darwin River.
For 54 years, Darwin's had one main water supply. This week it failed
Darwin's main water supply failed this week, forcing thousands of households onto unexpected water restrictions. Now questions are being asked about the response.
Outback Queensland town prepares for flooding as Bundaberg clean-up begins
Hundreds of people in Queensland's Bundaberg region are cleaning up their homes and businesses as floodwaters recede, while residents in western Queensland prepare for flooding.
The scale of northern Australia’s record-breaking floods revealed in data and maps
Some river levels are still increasing after parts of Queensland recorded their highest three-day rainfall totals Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Dozens of sites across northern Australia have been subjected to major flooding over the past couple of days, with some river levels still increasing after parts of Queensland recorded their highest three-day rainfall totals between Sunday and Tuesday. The map below sho
Everything you need to know about the NT's flood emergency
Wondering if schools in the Top End will be open tomorrow? Not sure what the situation is with flood evacuation centres? Looking for the latest information on natural disaster relief payments? We've answered all your NT flood-related questions here.
Evacuation warning issued as flood peak looms for Chinchilla
Residents in Chinchilla and parts of central Queensland brace for the worst as floodwater continues to rise, despite conditions easing towards the coast.
“Working their guts out:” major flood update
One Australian leader has delivered a very colloquial warning to constituents after a major dam was taken offline by wild storms on Tuesday.
Search underway for Bundaberg man who disappeared from houseboat
Emergency Services are searching the flooded Burnett River in Bundaberg for a man believed to be missing from a houseboat, and have airlifted a woman bitten by a snake from her isolated home.
Darwin's boil water alert lifted after testing shows water is free of E.coli
The boil water alert for Darwin has been lifted after testing confirmed the region's water was free of E.coli and other harmful bacteria.
Katherine 'under threat' as 'major flood' risk to remain until Sunday
Residents in Katherine woke up to find their main street had been submerged by flooding despite advice from authorities yesterday that the centre of town wouldn't be inundated.
Katherine floods bring back memories of town's fatal 1998 floods
When Member of the Legislative Assembly Jo Hersey stood up for a media interview about the floods in her home town Katherine last weekend, she had tears in her eyes.
Live: Roads cut off, homes without power as Bundaberg flood peak approaches
Bundaberg is facing its worst flood in more than a decade, with the Burnett River projected to peak at 7.6 metres this morning.
Hundreds of homes in Bundaberg at flood risk as river forecast to peak at 7.6 metres
Thousands of residents in Queensland regional hub could be isolated for days after Burnett River burst its banks Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Thousands of residents of the coastal Queensland city of Bundaberg could be isolated for days amid major flooding in the wake of a tropical low. Hundreds of homes in the regional hub are set to be affected after the Burnett River burst its banks, triggering memories of a 2010 disaster. Continue reading...
Floodwater creeps up on outback Queensland town
Longreach braces for flooding set to peak this weekend as residents in low-lying areas of the town are told to sandbag their homes.
Homes under water and horses shelter at building site amid Bundaberg floods – video
Footage from Queensland's Polair show homes and businesses inundated by major flooding in the coastal city of Bundaberg after the Burnett River burst its banks in the wake of a tropical low. Locals were asked to leave immediately on Tuesday afternoon before the community’s two major bridges were closed, leaving about 10,000 people isolated Bundaberg floods: hundreds of homes and businesses inundated after river bursts banks Continue reading...
Boil water alert issued for Darwin after pumping failure at main drinking supply
The NT health department has issued a boil water alert for Darwin, after problems with the pump station at Darwin River Dam caused by flash flooding.
Three people rescued and 20 vehicles damaged in Northern Rivers floods
Residents are rescued from homes and vehicles after flash flooding in the Northern Rivers region in New South Wales.
Bundaberg residents brace as floodwater from Burnett River expected to peak this morning
The Bureau of Meteorology says rain will ease for most of Queensland today but major flooding could last for days.
What does a boil water alert mean for Darwin?
A boil water alert has been issued for Darwin, in addition to Katherine, Beswick and Tindal. The alert comes after issues with the pump station at Darwin's main dam. Here's what you need to know about your water.
Brisbane cops heavy rain as tropical low continues south
A tropical low crossed the coast near Innisfail on Friday afternoon, bringing heavy rain and flooding to large swathes of Queensland.
Queensland communities cut off as tropical low tracks inland
Far North Queensland communities are assessing the damage as a tropical low 29U tracks inland.
What does a boiled water alert mean for Darwin?
A boiled water alert has been issued for Darwin, in addition to Katherine, Beswick and Tindal. The alert comes after issues with the pump station at Darwin's main dam. Here's what you need to know about your water.
Crocodiles found 'galloping' over roads, lurking near homes amid NT floods
Crocodiles have been spotted lurking in floodwaters across the Top End, with NT Police incident controller Shaun Gill warning the reptiles are "absolutely everywhere" right now.
Second round of flooding for inland Australia as March one of wettest on record
Another burst of tropical moisture and heavy rain will descend through the heart of Australia during the coming days.
‘Crocs absolutely everywhere’: Locals warned
Crocodiles are on the move as floodwaters surge through the Northern Territory, forcing thousands from their homes and leaving communities stranded.
Homes inundated and locals banding together: NT flooding in pictures
Many regions across the Northern Territory were submerged by flooding this week. Here is some of the best footage from the extreme weather event, right across the Top End.
Hundreds airlifted from remote Northern Territory communities amid major flooding
Large-scale evacuation under way in Top End, while most of Queensland remains on flood watch Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast A large-scale evacuation of hundreds of flood-affected Northern Territory residents is under way, as tropical lows bring heavy rain to large parts of the Top End and northern Queensland. Several flood warnings were in place for the NT on Saturday, including for the Katherine and Daly rivers, while most of Queensland remained on flood watch. Con
Darwin residents urged to reduce water usage as city's dam stops operations
Amid issues with the pump station at Darwin River Dam, which is the city's major supplier of water, Power and Water Corporation have urged locals to reduce their water consumption.
Katherine locals survey flood damage as volunteers rally to help
An "army" of volunteers has hit the streets of Katherine to help residents worst affected by the weekend's flooding, as they survey the damage from near-record river rises.
Cattle, horses and crops washed away by NT floods
NT farmers counting the cost of livestock deaths and crop damage say they feel overlooked by the emergency flood response.
Bundaberg residents evacuate as major flood inundates homes
Bundaberg residents are evacuating their homes and businesses as the city faces its worst flood in more than a decade.
‘There are crocs absolutely everywhere’: NT residents warned to stay out of floodwaters as hundreds evacuated
Entire Daly River town evacuated as Bureau of Meteorology warns river levels expected to rise in coming week Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Flood-affected residents in the Northern Territory have been warned not to swim in crocodile-infested waters, as tropical lows continue to bring major flood warnings and heavy rains to the Top End and Queensland. Hundreds of people were evacuated over the weekend, with the e
Remote Aboriginal communities evacuated by air as flooding continues
Hundreds of remote residents are being evacuated from their small communities by air this weekend, as flooding inundates parts of the Northern Territory.
Katherine schools to reopen Monday as flood disaster eases
Government schools in Katherine will reopen from Monday, while Katherine High School will operate under a "hybrid model", with the evacuation centre continuing on site.
Katherine flood recedes as heavy rainfall continues in the NT
Katherine flood levels recede to minor levels as the nearby Aboriginal community of Beswick faces major flooding and the Northern Territory braces for more heavy rainfalls.
Bundaberg residents told to evacuate immediately as parts of Queensland brace for major flooding
The BoM has forecast flooding of the Burnett River at Bundaberg could rise to 7.5 metres by midnight Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Sign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter here Residents of the coastal Queensland city of Bundaberg have been told to evacuate immediately as the region braces for major flooding in the wake of a tropical low. It comes after days of heavy rain across northern Australia, with parts of the Northern Terr
34 saved from bus in dramatic flood rescue
Four major rescue operations have unfolded within hours in one Aussie state as rain and raging floodwaters threaten communities.
Tropical moisture 'whisked' to Queensland's south with fresh rain warnings
Queensland's south-east could expect additional falls of up to 150mm today, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, as much of the state remains on flood watch.
Katherine experiences worst flooding in 28 years as residents wake to survey damage
Residents in Katherine will be waking up to assess the damage to their homes and businesses after the town experienced its worst flooding since 1998.
Flood alerts in Queensland and Northern Territory as residents evacuated, urged to seek high ground
Most of Queensland is on alert for flooding as a tropical low that hammered the far north continues across the southeast.
Bundaberg region on alert as major flood warning issued
Thousands of residents are on major flood watch across Queensland following days of huge rainfall totals.
Live: Water creeps up in Bundaberg amid major flood warning
A major flood is threatening Bundaberg after days of rain spilled dams and set rivers on the rise across Queensland.
Dog rescued by helicopter from raging flood waters in Northern Territory – video
Video released by the NT Emergency Service shows the moment a dog is rescued from a car stranded in raging flood waters on a creek crossing west of Katherine. A helicopter pilot dropped a police officer on top of the vehicle to help the stranded driver and passenger and then went back to retrieve their dog from the vehicle. Although initially hesitant, the dog was eventually helped into the muster helicopter before it flew off to safety Police believe bodies found in Queensland floods are those
Humanitarian crisis looms for Aussie city
An Aussie city has been completely cut off by flooding with residents’ supplies of food and medicine dwindling.
Supply lines open after food shortage, amid major Katherine flooding
While Katherine remains under an emergency flood warning, water levels are now receding and food supply lines are opening up.
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