Recent floods in Queensland, Australia, have killed or displaced more than 144 000 livestock, across more than 500 000 km² (193 000 mi2) of land. The disaster, triggered by heavy rainfall and Cyclone Alfred, has also damaged essential infrastructure, affecting farmers and markets.
Heavy rains beginning on March 23, 2025, have caused historic flooding across Queensland, Australia, with the town of Stonehenge submerged after the Thomson River exceeded the 1974 flood levels on March 27. Major flood warnings remain in effect as several rivers continue to rise dangerously.
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred made landfall north of Brisbane at 21:00 local time (LT) on Saturday, March 8, after stalling offshore for several hours. Multiple rivers have risen above flood levels, with flood warnings being in effect across Queensland (QLD) and New South Wales (NSW). At least one death has been reported, several people have been injured, and more than 350 000 homes were left without power.
Severe flooding in Northern Queensland has left at least two people dead, with record-breaking rainfall exceeding 1 000 mm (40 inches) in some regions since the beginning of February 2025.
The Ollera Creek Bridge, a critical section of the Bruce Highway, was destroyed over the weekend, severing a key transport link in Queensland amid the state’s worst flooding in 60 years. The floods have claimed the life of at least one person after a rescue boat capsized and have inundated thousands of homes and numerous roads across the region.
A major flood event is underway in northern Queensland, Australia, on Sunday, February 2, 2025, after parts of the region received between 500 and 1 000 mm (19.7 – 39.4 inches) of rain in the 48 hours leading up to 09:00 LT today. At least one person has drowned in floodwaters after an SES boat capsized. The region is forecast to receive additional heavy rainfall, with some areas expected to see up to 500 mm (19.7 inches) of additional rain over the next 24 hours.
On Sunday, December 17, 2023, Australian authorities issued a critical warning for thousands in north Queensland to move to higher ground due to the imminent threat of flooding from heavy rains.
Northern Queensland is currently grappling with major flooding, with the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) warning of dangerously high levels in multiple rivers.
Remote communities in North Queensland are facing weeks of isolation as a “massive” logistical operation is underway to deliver supplies after heavy rainfall over the weekend. Despite being cut-off, graziers and locals have welcomed the rain, describing it as a “good flood.”
Heavy rainfall and flooding continue to impact Queensland’s Central Coast. A Severe Weather Warning is current for heavy to locally intense rainfall between Ayr and St Lawrence, and adjacent inland areas, including Mackay, Proserpine and Bowen. Many catchments in northern and central Queensland are experiencing minor to major flooding, and dangerous flash flooding remains possible.
