QUEENSLAND FLOOD SUMMARY 1940 - 1949

Flooding in streams from north of Townsville to Rockhampton was mainly due to the cyclone. At Sellheim the Burdekin River peaked on 19th (third highest on record ). In the tropical interior , under combined monsoonal plus cyclonic rains, extensive areas were inundated. Rail and other land traffic was held up for a few days at a time. Towns were isolated and Muttaburra had been without any communications for a fortnight at the end of the month. 

Apart from the far north, the Fitzroy River system was most affected. Peaks were at Riverslea on 23rd, ( second highest on record ), at Yaamba on 26th , and at Rockhampton on 27th. Saltbush Park, on the headwaters of the Connors River and Funnel Creek, reported waters 8 kilometres wide and levels above the February flood height.

In addition to Gulf and far north coast streams, others reporting floods included Burdekin , Fitzroy , Mackenzie , Dawson , Burnett , Mary , Brisbane , Condamine and Warrego rivers. Apart from cyclonic activity, periods of strong south-easterly weather prevailed along most of the coast and over waters eastward. 

Peak heights recorded were at Mt McConnell on the Sellheim River on 8th and at Ayr on the Burdekin River on 8th. Saltbush Park on Funnel Creek peaked on 9th, as did Connors River. Flood waters were higher than those in March, which were the highest in 22 years. 

Rivers at high to flood levels were the Balonne, Culgoa, Warrego, Paroo and Barcoo throughout the month excepting the first few days, and the Mackenzie , Fitzroy and Burdekin rivers during the second, third and fourth weeks. Tributaries of the Brisbane River (Bremer River and Lockyer Creek) , rose on 24th.

Considerable local flooding was as follows :-

6-1-41. Alpha Creek highest since 1930. Two lives lost. Cunnamulla isolated for a time by road. Telegraphic and telephonic communications interrupted by Warrego River. Shortage of food at some western homesteads due to isolation. Homes threatened. Mails ferried or dropped from planes.

7-1-41. In Charleville parts of the town were submerged and creeks in the district were running bankers and not able to be crossed. Jericho had water just under one metre deep in the main street with the highest level since 1911.

9-1-41. Isisford was isolated and short of commodities such as vegetables and butter. Cunnamulla had side streets inundated. Stock losses were experienced. At Avonleigh the Barcoo River was the highest since 1910. All road traffic in the Hebel, Bollon, St George and Goodooga areas suspended. Clarke River in the Charters Towers area in flood. Thomson River at Longreach in flood. At Kalbar a three kilometre wide spread of water, (highest in 20 years), was reported.

11-1-41. Thargomindah mail held up for over a week. The Surat-Roma road traffic was blocked. At Eulo the Paroo River was the highest since 1910. Bollon was isolated.

13-1-41. In Thargomindah parts of the town were flooded and the Bulloo River almost reached 1930 levels. The Burdekin River was over the Inkerman Bridge. The Quilpie / Charleville line was blocked between Westgate and Calladi. In the north of the State the Einasleigh River was over the railway bridge. At Muttaburra the Landsborough River was almost 2 metres over the traffic bridge.

14-1-41. Longreach / Winton line was submerged in parts.

20-1-41. North coast rivers and creeks were in flood. First Winton mail train since 11th. The Townsville / Ingham line experienced washaways. The Flying boat (Captain Koch) reported one wide sheet of water from Karumba to Townsville. The railway was under water between Bowen and Proserpine with traffic suspended. Roads now negotiable except parts north and west of Rockhampton and around St George and Surat. At Thargomindah the Bulloo River was at the highest level since 1906 and planes were commissioned to carry fodder to marooned sheep. 

23-1-41. The Ross River was flooding in Townsville.

24-1-41. Serious flooding and washaways to the north of Mackay caused the diversion to the western route of the Brisbane / Townsville train. The Charleville / Quilpie line was submerged in three places by the Paroo and Bulloo rivers. Road traffic was blocked west from Roma, and north and west from Rockhampton. During the last few days four lives were lost due to the flooding in the State.

Pacific slope coastal divisions experienced almost daily rains, especially in the tropical sections with heavy falls between 4th and 6th. Similar heavy falls from the 7th to 10th occurred in the South Coastal divisions and north to Mackay and in the Port Curtis region on 11th. Unsettled weather was maintained till 16th, with heaviest rain areas mainly to the central coast section.

As a result of these rains heavy flooding was experienced in streams south from Proserpine and at the end of the period much water was running down to the lower reaches of the Fitzroy system. Extensive damage and loss of life accompanied the flood rains in the Dawson and Callide rivers. Down the Burnett River heights approximating previous records in 1890 and 1893 were reached with disastrous effects at Bundaberg.

Main river basins affected were as follows. Coastal streams between Proserpine and Mackay and the Pioneer River. Fitzroy and Isaacs rivers (Yaamba peaked on 16th). In the Dawson Valley and Callide head waters the towns of Rannes and Wowan were evacuated with much loss. 

Disastrous floods occurred in the Burnett River with loss of life. The following towns suffered extreme flooding. Bundaberg (3rd highest), Gayndah (3 metres higher than 1893 record), Wallaville (probably equal to or higher than 1890 and 1893).

Moderate flooding was experienced in the Mary River. In the Brisbane River moderate flooding occurred in the higher and middle reaches. There were local stock losses and damage in the Condamine, Macintyre, Balonne and Downs streams. Warra town was evacuated and Chinchilla experienced the highest flood on record. Some station reports were the highest since records began. Surat peaked on 17th and St George on 23rd (just below 1931 height).

With the severe rains there was much water-logged ground and flooding of low lying areas in all divisions. In the early part of the month the Paroo and Bulloo rivers and Cooper Creek flooded extensively with traffic dislocation and isolation of towns. Heavy to record flood occurred at Eulo on 10th. Towards the end of the month rail traffic was delayed on account of central coast and Burdekin streams. Carpentaria , central Highlands and the Maranoa , Downs and south coast systems were carrying steady to moderate river flows. 

Inland rivers and tributaries namely the Flinders, Warrego, Condamine and Macintyre ,were also reporting a considerable run-off early in the month from December rain. Heights gradually decreased with drier conditions during the month.

Much flooding of low lying areas in South Moreton districts with rapid rises in creeks and main streams on 29th and 30th, but no excessive heights were reached on the Brisbane River. Local reports for 30th included Stanley River at Villeneuve - over railway bridge, Caboolture River at Caboolture Post Office - traffic bridge submerged, Pine River at Dayboro - main street under water. 

In the Condamine and Balonne systems there was local low lying flooding and streams were carrying good flow with freshes from additional rains.

Local flooding occurred in the far north coast and Peninsula and much traffic delay on the Lower Burdekin catchment was occasioned by heavy floods from both its extensive northern and southern head water tributaries. The northern arm of the Fitzroy River also carried flood waters from heavy local falls on the highlands west of Mackay.

Inland monsoonal activity particularly during the first , second and third weeks caused many heavy to flood rains especially along an extensive belt of country from Urandangie , Pentland and Torrens Creek and south through Ayrshire Downs to Windorah. 

On 8th the Burdekin rail bridge suffered heavy damage. A goods train was washed away and two lives were lost. The Burdekin River at Sellheim peaked on 7th and 13th. On 14th the railway bridge was some 4 metres under water with the river still rising. On the Suttor River , Mt McConnel peaked on 15th and further north coast flood rains fell from 17th to 19th.

Early in the month at Mt Surprise, spans of the Elizabeth Creek bridge washed away and on 12th at Einasleigh the Copperfield River was over the rail bridge. The Balonne River on the Darling Downs was also carrying considerable run-off from February rains.

Central and tropical coast streams from adjacent highland catchment areas and Carpentaria systems, especially the Flinders River, were affected by the heavy falls in the eastern headwaters. In the central and south west areas river beds carried valuable run-off kilometres wide from the heavy upper west and central interior falls. In the third week Downs and Maranoa catchments and river basins received heavy to local flood rains.

Highest river heights recorded were :-

Flinders River at Richmond on 24th , Hughenden on 22nd.

Barcoo River at Isisford on 23rd.

Paroo River at Eulo on 23rd/24th.

Warrego River at Charleville 0n 22nd, Wyandra on 25th , Cunnamulla on 28th.

Dawson River at Taroom on 25th, Baralaba on 3st, Boolburra on st^t Feb.

Mackenzie River at Comet on 24th.

Fitzroy River at Riverslea on 28th , Yaamba on 29th.

Funnel Creek at Saltbush Park on 15th.

Isaacs River at Clive on 24^tth

Lockyer Creek at Gatton on 24th.

Warrill Creek at Harrisville on 25th.

Bremer River at Rosewood on 23rd.

Burdekin River at Home Hill on 24th, (over Inkerman Bridge), Sellheim on 22nd.

Suttor River at Lornesleigh on 25th.

Dogwood Creek at Miles on 24th.

Condamine River at Tummaville on 24th , Warwick on 24th.

Kings Creek at Clifton on 23rd.

Condamine River at Condamine on 2nd Feb. , Pratten on 25th.

Balonne at Surat and St George still rising at the end of the month.

Macintyre River at Inglewood on 25th , Goondiwindi on 27th.

Dumaresque River at Riverton on 23rd , Texas on 23rd. 

Two periods, 10th to 16th and 22nd to 24th, saw minor flooding on the northern Burdekin catchment , and this later extended to the lower Burdekin. Peaks occurred at Sellheim on 11th and 20th and at Inkerman Bridge on 12th and 22nd.

During the two periods mentioned above flooding also occurred on the upper headwaters of the Gilbert River and other Carpentaria streams. The Eainsleigh River at Eainsleigh was over the rails on three occasions, 12th, 16th and 21st.

There was also considerable local flooding in central coast low-lying areas and shorter river basins. 

The Burdekin River flooded from all catchment areas with record heights. These were Inkerman Bridge (4th), Sellheim (4th), Lornesleigh (7th), Einasleigh (4th). Townsville and Mackay also suffered considerable damage. 

The Moreton district flooding , also from cyclonic influences, was more of the local type form, as rains eased in time to prevent heavy general stream rises which did occurred in the northern rivers of New South Wales.

Run-off from moderate rains in the Darling Downs and Maranoa divisions resulted in light freshes in all streams in these areas, with the Balonne River rising above report height at Surat and St. George. 

Flooding was particularly heavy in the Logan and Albert river basins, the highest since 1887 and 1893. At Slacks Creek, floodwaters reached telephone wires. On 25th the Logan River peaked at Dulbolla and Beaudesert and the Albert River peaked at Bromfleet and Lumeah

The following peaks were reported from the lower tributaries of the Brisbane River. Warrill Creek at Harrisville on 25th, highest since 1893, and Bremer River at Ipswich on 26th , highest since 1931. There were moderate rises in the Condamine and Macintyre rivers.

Rail, road, air and shipping traffic was disrupted by the cyclone. Two lives were lost in the floods. Serious soil erosion occurred and flood damage to roads, bridges, farm property, fencing and crops was extensive and costly. 

The Burdekin River system showed rises in the first few days of the month and with peak periods about 6th and 12th, maintained an appreciable run-off until after 22nd.Floodwaters were over Inkerman Bridge from 5th to 18th with the highest report on 12th. This was higher than 1944 and 1945, but below the 1946 record.

The Fitzroy River system showed rises on the northern headwaters on 5th and extending generally over the basin. Peak heights on the Dawson River were reported at Baralaba and Boolburra on 16th , and in the main Fitzroy River at Riverslea on 17th and Rockhampton on 19th. Run-off was still maintained in the last week of the month. The above levels were the highest for the Fitzroy since 1943. 

The Burnett and Mary rivers the upper reaches of the Brisbane River were at reporting levels from 13th to 16th. Such rises in the Burnett River had not occurred since 1942 and the river reached moderate flood heights at Gayndah and Bundaberg. The Mary River peaked at Miva on 13th, Tiaro on 13th , Gympie on 14th and Maryborough on 14th. Except for Gympie these were the highest since 1937. Local flooding in the Brisbane River system was accompanied by moderate rises reported from Woodford, Murrumba, Gatton and Rosewood. A second heavy flood rain spell commenced in the south coastal districts on 28th continuing till 2nd and 3rd of March .

Carpentaria streams, mainly the FlindersRiver , were moderately high from 6th to 12th. The Condamine River system was above normal levels for practically the whole month. The peak height at Roma on Bungil Creek equalled the highest on record. Similarly south-western streams, which rose after the 8th to peaks about 15th to 19th, maintained a slow run-off with local rises passing downstream at intervals from further rain towards the end of the month.

Apart from the general main stream rises there was much local flooding of low- lying areas, especially in coastal districts. Some loss of life was reported and much damage to property, roads, rail beds and bridges was caused in many districts as well as the usual soil erosion from waterlogged country. 

At the end of the month there was a heavy rain run-off along the Macintyre and Condamine rivers, and streams in the south Moreton district. Moderate freshes occurred in the Fitzroy and Burdekin rivers and floodwaters were temporarily over the Inkerman Bridge on 31st. 

Flood rains over the South Coast Moreton district on 1st caused sharp stream rises in the Mary and Logan rivers, but without heavy rains following, these streams had fallen below danger level by 3rd.

The Condamine, Balonne and Macintyre rivers continued to carry considerable run-off water until the 8th, rainfall on the head waters of these streams late in March and on 1st of the month taking some time to pass down these streams. 

As a result of rains at the end of February streams in the south west of the State, namely the Cooper Creek and Paroo River, maintained considerable run-off until the middle of the month. In the latter part of the month the cyclone operating off the Queensland coast resulted in flood falls over the South Coast Moreton district between 22nd and 25th. Heaviest falls were Springbrook 135mm on 22nd and Mapleton 130mm on 23rd. All streams from the Mary River to the southern border were affected, with the Mary peaking at Gympie on 26th. 

In the Port Curtis and Moreton districts the Mary River carried the highest flood waters owing to the phenomenal local rains over its headwaters, but there was a considerable amount of flooding in low lying areas with traffic disabilities in these two divisions. 

Some wheat planting was affected on the Darling Downs and in a few cases there was a total loss. In the Downs area local flooding was also reported along the Condamine River basin. Millmerran was isolated until after 18th due to floodwater being over the road and rail bridges. Traffic approaches to Dalby were also cut off with the Condamine River over Loudoun Bridge on 19th and Ranges Bridges on 21st. The lower reaches of the Condamine were still carrying considerable run-off and rising slowly at the end of the month. Flooding was heaviest in the south coast border areas adjacent to the northern river districts of New South Wales. 

Between 12th and 16th rains in south-east districts caused local flooding in the Burnett, Kolan and Mary rivers and smaller streams from Maryborough to Gladstone. Moderate rises occurred in the tributaries of the Fitzroy River.

Resulting from rain with local heavy 75 to 125mm totals during the third week of the month, rises and local flooding were reported in the Cooper Creek, Flinders , Paroo , Warrego , Balonne , Bulloo , Fitzroy and Burdekin rivers. The Inkerman Bridge was under water on 24th.

Barcoo River at Isisford on 28th (same as 1941).

Cooper Creek at Currareva on 29th (just under 1941).

Warrego River at Charleville on 26th (highest on record).

Warrego River at Cunnamulla on 31st (higher than 1941).

Many places were isolated for weeks and in some cases supplies were dropped from the air.

Early in the month the Mackenzie, Dawson and Fitzroy basins experienced severe flooding with peaks at St. Aubins (Mackenzie) on 4th , Boolburra (Dawson) on 5th and Riverslea (Fitzroy) on 6th. These streams were fairly high again on the 28th and 29th.

The Burdekin River was over the Inkerman Bridge on 11th, 14th and on 28th. A good deal of additional flooding in the north coast areas between Cardwell and Cooktown was reported at the end of the month , in addition to local central coast traffic disabilities.

The cyclone flooding affected the south coast (Port Curtis streams) particularly the Burnett and Mary rivers with minor flooding in parts of the Brisbane River basin and around the south east border highlands. Heavy run-off was also reported in north west areas and the east Carpentaria. The Downs river systems showed moderate run-off at the end of the month. Three drovers lost their lives in the central highlands floods and another man was drowned at Laura Creek peninsula.

Peak heights are indicated below.

Warrego River at Charleville on 16th (highest on record), and at Cunnamulla on 20th.

Paroo River at Eulo on 21st. 

Balonne River at Surat on 18th (bridge submerged), and at St. George on 19th (bridge submerged).

Dawson River at Taroom on 17th (bridge submerged).

Mackenzie River at St. Aubins on 17th (bridge submerged)

Macintyre River at Goondiwindi on 18th.

Mary River at Gympie on 26th.