Major flooding underway in northern Queensland after extreme rainfall, Australia
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.
Image credit: JMA/Himawari-9, Zoom Earth, The Watchers. Acquired at 22:40 UTC on February 1, 2025
A major flooding event is underway in northern Queensland, including areas like Hinchinbrook Shire (population 11 000) and parts of Townsville (population 198 140) after a low-pressure system brought massive rainfall in a short period, prompting Queensland’s State Emergency Service (SES) to urge residents to gather their evacuation kits and move to higher ground immediately.
Multiple areas have now received over 500 mm (19.7 inches) of rain since Saturday morning, adding to significant rainfall since Friday. Rollingstone recorded 999 mm (39.3 inches) in the 48 hours leading up to 09:00 LT on Sunday, February 2. During the same period, Deeragun received 666 mm (26.2 inches), Ingham 662 mm (26.1 inches), Saunders Creek 655 mm (25.8 inches), Townsville 545 mm (21.5 inches), and Ayr 402 mm (15.8 inches).
In the 24 hours leading up to 09:00 LT on Sunday, Paluma Dam, north of Townsville, recorded 712 mm (28 inches) of rain. Rollingstone received 639 mm (25.2 inches) during this period while Bluewater recorded 378 mm (14.9 inches).
Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) senior forecaster Dean Narramore warned that north Queensland is facing a “flood disaster.” Areas under warning could receive up to 200 mm (7.9 inches) of additional rainfall, with isolated falls of 400 – 500 mm (15.7 – 19.7 inches) possible over the next 24 hours.
“Unfortunately, a lot more rain is expected, and major flooding will continue to impact rivers, creeks, and streams, along with flash flooding. Everything is already saturated,” Narramore said.
Meteorologists warn there’s a prospect of record rainfall in parts of the region, with Ingham likely to see a repeat of the record-breaking flood of 1967 when Herbert River at InghamPumpStation swelled to 15.2 m (49.9 feet).
In Townsville, modeling suggests that approximately 1 700 homes in Cluden, Hermit Park, Idalia, Oonoonba, Railway Estate, and Rosslea may experience floodwaters rising above the floorboards. Authorities conducted door-to-door evacuations, but about 10% of residents reportedly refused to leave.
“They may believe they will be safe at home, but they will effectively become isolated, surrounded by floodwaters,” Townsville Local Disaster Management Group chair Andrew Robinson said.
One person has drowned after an SES rescue boat overturned on Rutledge Street in Ingham on Sunday, approximately 100 km (62 miles) north of Townsville.
“There were six people aboard the vessel. Five were rescued safely, but unfortunately, one person was found deceased,” State Disaster Coordinator Shane Chelepy said.
Power outages have been reported in parts of Townsville and Ingham, with the potential for prolonged disruptions.
Heavy rainfall and flooding are expected to continue into the next week.
References:
1 Woman dies in north Queensland floodwaters as 1,700 homes expected to flood in Townsville ‘black zone’ – ABC – February 2, 2025
2 Person dies after SES boat capsize in north Queensland floods as chilling warning issued – News – February 2, 2025
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
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