Water Flooding Statistics Australia

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred caused torrential downpours throughout Queensland and New South Wales (NSW), bringing flash floods and significant water flooding. Most importantly, Brisbane recorded 30 cm of rain within 24 hours. With the accumulation of non-stop rains, streets became flooded, leaving hundreds of cars abandoned.

Emergency services rescued 17 people from fast-moving waters in Queensland. The storm left over 200,000 homes and businesses without electricity in Queensland, with a further 10,000 affected in NSW. The informative sharing of these statistics can bring awareness to enable flood preparation and promote more research towards future planning and mitigation activities.

Link Plumbing always ensures your home, property, and business are safe during flooding. We usually begin with a site inspection to consider all possible factors encompassing your plumbing concerns. We can move essential equipment such as electrical panels, HVAC systems, and water heaters to more elevated areas to protect them from getting damaged.

Current Flood Situation in Australia

Heavy downpours resulted in immense floods in the south-eastern Queensland region and into the northern parts of NSW. It caused many parts to suffer from massive deluge, including damages to trees and power lines. 

Rain has fallen between 10 and 15 inches around Brisbane and Moreton Island. Cracow in New South Wales got almost 5 inches of rain in less than one hour.

The storm swept over 4 million people in Queensland and northern NSW. The number of houses and businesses still cut off from electricity was around 230,000 as of March 10, 2025.

Flood warnings were on several northern NSW and southern Queensland river systems, the Wilsons River at Lismore, the Tweed, and the Richmond. It includes the Logan and Bremer in southeastern Queensland. 

An emergency siren in Grantham, Queensland, warned people to seek higher grounds due to possible flooding. Additionally, Ipswich, declared a disaster because the river was likely to flood overnight, and its suburbs must be evacuated.

Historical Flood Data at a Glance

Large-scale devastating flooding ruined communities and infrastructures and severely stunted Australia’s economy in most decades. These events resulted in numerous fatalities, and significant property damage, and affected some regions for more than 50 years.

Over the past ten years, mainly homes, animals, and habitats were affected by 160,708 continuous flooding in Australia, which also came under attack by the worst floods in the east of Queensland and NSW. The worst flood in Australian history was the 1852 Gundagai flood in New South Wales, with an estimated toll between 80 and 100.

Timeline of Australia’s Consequential Flooding

February-March 2022: Destructive floods in South-East Queensland and NSW killed 22 and caused $4.3 billion in damages. The Wilsons River peaked at a record 14.1 meters (46 feet) in Lismore, forcing more than 10,000 people out of their homes.

December 2010–January 2011: Severe flooding affected Brisbane and South-East Queensland, killing 35 people and costing $2.38 billion in damages. The Brisbane River reached a maximum height of 4.46 metres but damaged nearly 28,000 houses and businesses. In the middle of January 2011, widespread flooding negatively impacted 75% of the area, and the government declared it a disaster zone.

January 1974: The estimated damage from floods in Brisbane didn’t cover the damage done when the Brisbane River reached a peak of 5.45 metres in torrential rain caused by Tropical Cyclone Wanda. The Bureau of Meteorology estimated that floodwaters had partially or completely swamped 6,700 homes in the Brisbane metropolitan area. In Ipswich city, about 1,800 homes and businesses were reported to be inundated by floodwaters.

February 1955: Known more colloquially as the Maitland flood, the 1955 Hunter Valley flood resulted in 14 deaths. Some 1,800 people were believed to have been rescued in the incident. Flooding on the Hunter River and Wollombi Brook followed almost 100mm of rain falling in just a few hours, tearing through towns including Broke, Bulga and Wollombi.

November 1934: More than 400 houses and buildings were destroyed during the 1934 Melbourne Flood, where wind gusts peaked 110 km per hour in the Central Business District. Flooding significantly inhibited livestock, property and crops. A devastating two-day-long storm in 1934 destroyed Victoria and killed 35 people.

Flood Risks and Economic Impact

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred struck near Brisbane and caused widespread major flooding and serious economic disruption. Civilians, as well as military personnel, lost their lives or sustained injuries in the aftermath. The catastrophic phenomenon also has dire financial effects on the affected communities and the economy as a whole.

The economic impact could be as much as $1 billion a day as disruption takes place in southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales. These regions represent about 15% of the Australian economy. As of March 10, insurers had received 9,226 claims, and with some residents still assessing the damage, the number is likely to soar, with S&P Global Ratings estimating the cost of the disaster to insurers will top $2B.

High or low flood risks can be mitigated to prevent or reduce damage to homes, properties, and businesses. Taking proactive measures may make a difference in minimising the costs associated with flooding.

Practical Ways to Prepare for Flooding

In preparation for a flood, it is important to have a flood safety plan for the safety of yourself, your family, and your property. These are some ways to prepare:

Clear the drains: Remove any leaves, twigs, or rubbish obstructing a storm drain and dispose of it properly. Use a hose or power washer to flush away any small debris and unclog the storm drain.  

If you can’t unclog a blocked drain or it’s physically damaged, contact Link Plumbing to remove heavy blockages and repair damage. We have the right tools and conduct video inspections to ascertain the nature of the blockage. 

Check sump pumps: Test your sump pump twice a year, preferably before the spring and fall months that receive the heaviest rainfall. Call us at 0412 056 027 immediately if the pump does not turn on and discharge water to minimise the possibility of water damage through flooding. We are always ready to help 24/7 to provide you with the right solutions to your plumbing issues.

Install backflow valves: Backflow valve installation prevents stormwater or sewage from draining into the buildings during heavy downpours. Also, it hinders sewer backups, protecting your house from water damage.

Sandbagging Tips

• Fill sandbags to less than half or no more than two-thirds full to shape and stack them.
• Use about 14×26 inches to 17×32 inches of treated burlap or plastic bags.
• A combination of sand silt, clay, and gravel should be used.
• Clean the area of possible debris and begin about one foot away from the river or levee’s edge. 
• Place them lengthwise, parallel to the water flow direction, with the open end folded under.
• Offset adjacent rows by half a bag length to avoid continuous joints and overlap bags. 
• Compact each bag by walking on it to create a tight seal and prevent slippage.

Short-term Emergency Protection Measures

• Deploy portables flood gates, shields, inflatable floodwalls, or flood skirts for a rapid response.
• Deploy flood barriers for rapid response to threatening floods.
• Clear debris immediately from drainage systems before the rain comes to lower flood risk.
• Use sandbags with plastic sheeting to weigh them down, making them a better barrier, and place them at the bottom edge to form a watertight seal. 
• Inspect flood control structures and strengthen them regularly.  
• Doorway flood barriers protect door openings.

Government Resources and Warnings

Official bodies in Australia ought to provide flood alerts to keep the public well-informed concerning safety, lesser flood losses, and better community resilience. Such alerts prepare and enable communities to react to impending floods. Here are the official bodies in Australia providing flood alerts:

Bureau of Meteorology (BoM): It issues Flood Watches to provide early warning signals of developing situations that may possibly lead to flooding. When the Bureau is fairly certain that flooding is expected, it issues Flood Warnings to announce such an occasion.

State/Territory Emergency Services (S/TES): These agencies collaborate with the Bureau of Meteorology to provide flood warning services.

Local Councils: Local councils also contribute to providing flood warning services, usually having undertaken flood studies and having maps showing areas that might be flooded.

Flood Warning Consultative Committees: These committees coordinate flood warning services and involve various government agencies.

Water Agencies: Water agencies cooperate with the Bureau of Meteorology while providing flood warning services.

People should sign up for flood alert systems and adhere to related directives because these measures are crucial for personal safety, property protection, and overall community well-being. These systems and directives provide timely information that enables individuals to take.

Relevant Relief Packages or Post-Flood Financial Support

Several financial assistance schemes exist for people and communities affected by the recent floods and ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. These are both Australian Government and Queensland Government schemes.

1. Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP): A one-off payment of $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child who, as a group, have suffered detrimental impacts arising from a major disaster. This payment is non-means-tested.

2. Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA): This allowance supports employees, primary producers, and sole traders who have lost income due to the floods. It provides payments every two weeks for up to 13 weeks, equivalent to JobSeeker Payment and Youth Allowance rates, based on the individual’s circumstances.

3. New Zealand Disaster Recovery Payment (NZ DRP): This payment mirrors the AGDRP and is available to eligible New Zealand ‘non-protected’ special category visa (SCV) (subclass 444) holders adversely affected by the cyclone. The payment rate is $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child.

4. New Zealand Disaster Recovery Allowance (NZ DRA): This allowance provides income support payments to employees, primary producers, and sole traders who can demonstrate they have experienced a loss of income due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred. NZ DRA provides fortnightly payments for up to 13 weeks, up to the applicable rate of JobSeeker Payment or Youth Allowance, depending upon the person’s circumstance.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I know if my home is in a flood-prone area?

To determine whether your property falls within a flood-prone area, check the official maps for floods, assess the nature of the property itself, and learn about the local history of flooding.

2. Are there plumbing upgrades that can reduce flood damage?

Yes. These plumbing upgrades include the repair of drain pipes, clearing storm drains, cleaning roofs and gutters, installing sump pumps, outdoor drainage improvements, and landscaping.

3. What should I do right after my home floods?

After flooding in the house, you should act fast to ensure security, avoid further damage, and start the course of recovery. These include:

• Waiting for a clearance from authorities that your home is safe to enter
• Shut down the electrical supply
• Document storm or flood water damages
• Remove standing water
• Clean and disinfect 

4. Will my insurance cover flood-related plumbing issues?

Standard homeowners policies cover sudden and accidental plumbing malfunctions within the home, such as burst pipes, but do not include damage from flooding that originates outside the structure.

5. How often do flooding events typically occur in Australia?

Australia endured considerable floods in particular regions almost yearly. Since the last 10 years, Australia has documented more than 160,708 floods, adversely affecting households, flora and fauna, and the environment.