QUEENSLAND FLOOD SUMMARY 1980 - 1989
1980 January The overland track of the tropical low , which became tropical Cyclone"Paul" , caused one of the highest floods this century in the Don River catchment , resulting in the river changing its course in the lower reach and washing away two homes. The cost due to the extensive damage to the market garden industry is estimated to be several million dollars. Major flooding also occurred in the Pioneer and Proserpine river catchments and the lower reach of the Haughton River.

Other streams also to reach flood levels from heavy rains during the period when Cyclone "Paul" was on the synoptic charts were the Thomson River , Connors River and tributaries and the Burdekin River. Flood levels in these streams were minor to moderate , and apart from traffic disabilities , no damage reports were received.

Later in the month , localised minor to moderate flooding occurred on the Condamine River between Tipton and Ranges bridges from 28th to 30th.
1980 February No significant flooding occurred , but there were rises on many streams along the coastal section from Townsville to St.Lawrence about 10th.
1980 March Increased convergence over the tropical east coast , caused when tropical Cyclone "Doris" was forming in the Gulf , brought heavy to flood rains on 18th and 19th. During this period moderate flooding occurred on the Tully and Murray rivers whilst major flooding occurred on the lower HerbertRiver. As a result , parts of Ingham were under water for a short period on the 19th , however no damage was reported. It was during this period also that 4 spans of the bridge across the Endeavour River at Cooktown were washed away.
1980 April No significant flooding occurred in Queensland.
1980 May Most streams in the Nerang , Albert and Logan rivers and Brisbane City metropolitan creeks reached minor flood levels on 7th and 8th. Traffic disabilities occurred through the area , especially along Oxley Creek, No damage reports were received. 
1980 June to September No significant flooding occurred in Queensland.
1980 October Stream rises on the lower Warrego River, following substantial rainfall in the catchment. No damage was reported.
1980 November No significant flooding occurred in Queensland.
1980 December Local flooding , all resulting from heavy rainfall associated with thunderstorms , occurred around Toowoomba on 5th , over the Brisbane City metropolitan area on 16th and at Goomeri on 29th. Apart from damage caused at Goomeri where local flooding washed a house off its foundations, other occurrences only caused traffic disabilities.
1981 January Floods commenced in the Tully River and adjacent streams on 7th , this flooding extending to the Herbert River by 11th. Whilst major flooding on these streams was confined to their lower reaches , the smaller nearby rivers like the Russell and Mulgrave caused severe local flooding , but the flooding around Innisfail from the North and South Johnstone rivers was slightly less severe. These floods emphasise the fact that the heaviest rainfalls in this particular region were confined to the coastline.

As the rain extended over the inland on 16th and 17th flooding commenced in the Burdekin River and Flinders River basins, the Thomson , Diamantina , Georgina rivers and Eyre Creek systems. Continued rains along the coast extended the flooding to include most streams as far south as the Pioneer River at Mackay by 20th.

Of these systems major flooding was confined to the Flinders River , (where a near record level occurred at Richmond ) , and the Diamantina River. Flooding gradually eased except for some inland streams which were still in flood at the end of the month. 

Two lives were lost in the floods , whilst throughout the north road and rail services were seriously disrupted for much of the time. Preliminary estimates indicate some sugar crop damage, and road and rail damage to the extent of $10 to $12 million
1981 February The heavy January rainfall in North Queensland continued into February and again brought stream rises to the Carpentaria and North Coast streams. However the first floods of the month occurred on 7th and 8th in the Condamine and the Brisbane - Bremer river systems. Ipswich , on the Bremer River with minor flooding , was the only town affected.

The most serious incident for the month occurred in the Condamine system when heavy rainfall over the Myall Creek catchment brought record floods to Dalby. Damage was extremely high to property in the Dalby township where some 2000 homes were flooded. There was considerable soil erosion to the grain growing districts. One man was drowned whilst crossing the flooded Wallan Creek north of Miles and preliminary damage estimates ran as high as $20 million. Chinchilla also suffered major flooding from Charley's Creek . However damage there was much less severe. The major flooding also extended to property along the course of the Balonne River as the heavy rainfall drained into New South Wales over the following 3 weeks.

Over the last few days of the month stream rises again occurred to the lower Herbert and Tully rivers. This produced minor flooding from the Herbert River and traffic disabilities from the Tully River. Whilst moderate flooding also occurred between Eulo and Hungerford on the Paroo River during the last week of the month , no damage reports were available from either incident.
1981 March No significant flooding occurred in Queensland.
1981 April Major flooding occurred on the Dawson River from 1st , gradually shifting downstream of Taroom by 8th. The only area to experience significant disabilities was at Taroom , however no property damage was reported. Other streams to experience rises during the first week of the month were Paroo , Warrego and the Burnett , with the flooding on all these rivers remaining moderate and lower. 
1981 May Local flooding occurred to most streams from Rockhampton to Proserpine during 21st and 22nd. Two boys drowned near Rockhampton and one near fatality occurred at Proserpine when motor vehicles were washed off flooded creek crossings. Otherwise there were only traffic delays along coastal routes till streams subsided , (after about 24 hours). In the inland , especially over the west and southwest , road traffic was delayed for several days till roads dried out and stream levels fell.
1981 June Following the record heavy rainfalls over the upper catchments of many western streams early in the month , major to moderate flooding occurred on all streams from the Maranoa westward. Flooding did not ease below moderate till 11th. Minor flood levels continued down stream to the border areas till the end of the month. No significant damage was reported from any locality , however , owing to the levee bank , Cunnamulla was fortunate to escape considerable damage as the peak of the Warrego River in that town was amongst their higher levels.
1981 July to October No significant flooding occurred in Queensland.
1981 November Local to minor flooding occurred in the Bremer River from 2nd to 4th and local flooding with traffic disabilities for Brisbane City metropolitan creeks on 3rd.
1981 December No significant flooding occurred in Queensland.
1982 January Widespread moderate to heavy rainfall in the Moreton South Coast district caused local flooding in the Brisbane City metropolitan area on 21st. Minor to moderate flooding occurred in the Mary River from 21st to 25th, the coastal streams from Brisbane to Noosa on 21st, the Bremer and Warrill creeks on 21st and 22nd and the Stanley River and upper Brisbane River from 21st to 23rd.
1982 February No significant flooding occurred in Queensland.
1982 March Heavy overnight rain caused minor flooding and traffic disabilities in coastal streams from Mackay to Rockhampton on 3rd. Heavy rain associated with thunderstorms in the Maranoa district on 4th caused major flooding in the Balonne River downstream from St. George on 5th. This extended to major flooding in the Maranoa River on 6th , and the same day in the Wallam , Mungallala and Nebine creeks and the Macintyre River catchment. These warnings continued on 7th. On 8th , moderate flooding was confined to the Macintyre River downstream from Goondiwindi. Renewed flood warnings were issued for the Balonne River on 9th and moderate rainfall extended this warning the next day to include the Maranoa River. Further rain in this area once again extended the flood warnings on 11th to include the Macintyre River basin and Condamine River. The final warnings for the Condamine and Balonne rivers were issued on 12th. The Macintyre River continued with major flooding downstream from Goondiwindi on 13th. The final Queensland flood warning was issued on 19th for the Macintyre River with major flooding expected at Mingindi on 26th.
1982 April Heavy overnight rain on 14th caused flooding and traffic disabilities in the North and South Johnstone rivers and adjacent coastal streams on 15th. Flood warnings were also issued the same day for the Tully and Herbert rivers and adjacent streams. Flood warnings continued the next day for the lower Tully River. Further rain caused renewed flooding in the Tully and Herbert rivers on 17th with a final flood warning issued for the Tully River during the morning of 8th. One farmer drowned during the night of 16th. Damage to crops is estimated at $7 million.
1982 May Moderate to heavy early morning rain in the Brisbane City metropolitan area on 30th , caused local flooding and traffic disabilities in some flood prone suburbs.
1982 June to December No significant flooding occurred in Queensland.
1983 January to February No significant flooding occurred in Queensland.
1983 March Rainfall associated with Cyclone "Elinor"caused very minor flooding in the Northern Curtis and Southern Central coast districts at the beginning of the period. 

Heavy rain on 9th brought flooding in the Herbert River basin ,including Halifax and Ingham. Minor flooding occurred in the Barron River basin on 10th with traffic disabilities in the Cairns district. The southeast passage of the low over southwest Queensland brought major flooding along the Paroo River and minor to moderate flooding along the Bulloo River. Major flooding was reported at Eulo while minor flooding was reported at Thargomindah on 21st with a final flood warning being issued on 25th.
1983 April After the heavy rain during March in the southwest , moderate rainfall in the Warrego region caused moderate flooding in the Paroo River around Eulo on 6th ,with moderate flooding at Hungerford expected a few days later. Widespread rainfall over the Anzac weekend caused minor flooding in the Bulloo and Paroo rivers on the 26th in the Eulo and Quilpie areas. Flood warnings were issued for the Dawson River , for moderate flooding at Taroom on 28th , and for minor flooding in the upper Burnett River. On 30th, minor flooding occurred at Augathella on the Warrego River , major flooding at Sandy Creek in the Fitzroy River basin , and minor to moderate flooding in the Comet River.
1983 May Widespread rain during the last week of April and the first few days of May caused extensive flooding in the southern and southeast districts. Minor to moderate continued in the Burnett River till 5th. The Fitzroy River basin had major flooding at Rockhampton from 11th to 13th and a final flood warning was issued on 16th.

The Warrego , Bulloo and Paroo rivers had minor flooding till 7th. The Condamine and Balonne rivers recorded major flooding and flood warnings continued till 18th with major flooding expected at Hebel on 24th. Charley's Creek caused major flooding in the Chinchilla area on 6th. Minor flooding was reported from the Macintyre River on 2nd , and moderate to minor flooding occurred in the Warrill Creek and Bremer River on 3rd as well as minor flooding in the Logan River till 4th. Flood warnings were also issued on 4th for the Moonie and Weir rivers with moderate to major flooding till 13th. 

Flood warnings commenced again on 20th after further rain with major flooding in the Balonne , Bulloo , Paroo and Warrego rivers. Major flooding and traffic disabilities continued into June. The same day minor to moderate occurred in the upper Barcoo River and stream rises started in the Thomson River. On the 21st flood warnings were issued for the Pioneer River ,and the same day for the Mackenzie River with major flooding expected at Taroom on 23rd. Major flooding in the Wallam Creek and moderate flooding in Mungallala Creek commenced on 22nd and continued till 30th. Moderate to major flooding was recorded in Funnel Creek with traffic disabilities on 22nd and 23rd. Major to moderate flooding continued in the Fitzroy River basin till 31st. On the afternoon of 28th moderate flooding occurred in the Bremer River with minor flooding at Ipswich the next day. Widespread traffic disabilities with moderate flooding were expected for 4 to 5 days in the Moonie River from the 29th.
1983 June Flood warnings continued from the previous month for the Fitzroy River basin, the Bulloo and Paroo rivers, Barcoo River and Cooper Creek, the Condamine and Balonne rivers and the Macintyre, Weir and Moonie rivers. The final flood warning for the Balonne River was issued on 10th. Widespread rain in the southeast quarter on 21st resulted in flood warnings for rivers and streams in this area , with warnings continuing till 30th for the Balonne River , minor flooding to ease in the Dawson River , and minor to moderate flooding to continue to the New South Wales border in the Moonie River for the next few days.
1983 July Flood warnings continued from 1st to 7th for the Balonne River with the Bokhara River at Hebel to remain above major flood levels till the end of the month.
1983 August Minor flooding occurred in the Macintyre River downstream from Goondiwindi on 29th and 30th after widespread rain on 26th.
1983 September Widespread light to moderate rain in the southeast inland caused minor flooding in the Macintyre River on 6th with moderate flooding the next day, rising to major flooding on 8th downstream from Goondiwindi. Final flood warnings for the Macintyre were issued on 13th with peak height at Riverview and expected to be maintained for the next 48 hours. The peak at Mungindi was expected on 21st.
1983 October Widespread light to moderate rain in the southeast resulted in minor flooding in the Macintyre River on the 13th , increasing to moderate flooding the next day , and continuing till 27th.
1983 November Minor flooding commenced in the Condamine River system and minor to moderate flooding in the Moonie and Weir rivers on 21st. Final flood warnings were issued for the Moonie River on the 28th but moderate to major flooding continued in the Condamine/Balonne river systems to 30th. During the afternoon of 30th moderate flooding started in the Paroo River.
1983 December Moderate flooding continued from 30th November in the Paroo River till 4th. Moderate to major flooding also continued in the Balonne River till 8th.

Moderate flooding commenced in the upper Dawson River on 5th and continued till 7th. 
1984 January Moderate flooding commenced during the afternoon of the 2nd on the ParooRiver, became major flooding on the 3rd and continued till 23rd. Minor flooding occurred in the Bulloo River from the 3rd till 5th. Moderate flooding started in the Flinders River on the 10th and after heavy rains the next day became major flooding , with widespread traffic disabilities , and continued till 18th.

Moderate flooding started in the Bulloo River on 14th and continued till 23rd. Minor to moderate flooding occurred in the Thomson and Barcoo rivers from 16th to 23rd . The next day minor to moderate flooding started in Cooper Creek and also finished on 23rd.

Downstream from Goondiwindi the Macintyre River was in minor flooding from 18th till 24th. Moderate to major flooding occurred in the Diamantina River from 25th till 27th.

Moderate flooding commenced again in the Paroo River on 27th ,and started the same day minor to moderate flooding in the Bulloo River , both then continued till the end of the month. On 28th moderate flooding and traffic disabilities started in the Flinders River , continuing into February. Flooding also commenced in the Macintyre River with moderate flooding on 29th , the Condamine River with minor flooding on 30th and the Balonne River with major flooding on 30th ,all continuing into February.

On the last day of the month minor to moderate flooding commenced in the Fitzroy River basin in the Dawson , Comet and Nogoa rivers and minor flooding started in the Mackenzie River.
1984 February Flooding continued from January for the following rivers :
 
Major flooding in the Macintyre River till 8th.
Minor to moderate flooding in the Moonie River till 8th.
Major flooding in the Balonne River till 13th .
Minor to moderate in the Fitzroy River basin till 7th.
Moderate to major flooding in the Paroo River.
Minor flooding in the Bulloo River till 5th.
Major to moderate flooding in the Warrego River till 5th.
Major flooding in the Flinders River fell below minor flooding on 2nd. 
Minor flooding occurred in the Tully River from 10th till 11th and in the 
Tully and Herbert rivers from 13th to 16th and again 20th to 21st.


On 15th a flood advice was issued for the Diamantina River in the Birdsville area for moderate flooding and traffic disabilities for the next 2 weeks.

Moderate flooding commenced again in the Flinders River on 17th till 19th and moderate flooding in the Macintyre River from 19th till 29th.
1984 March No significant flooding occurred in Queensland.
  April Stream rises and local flooding were reported from Brisbane metropolitan area and the Macintyre and Dumaresq river systems on 8th due to heavy rainfall in the southeast corner. Gale force winds and heavy rainfall on 8th caused widespread electrical failures, local flooding and traffic disabilities and property damage in the Brisbane metropolitan area and the Gold Coast. Twelve people were rescued from disabled yachts in Moreton Bay and coastal waters of the Moreton Coast.
1984 May to

June

 No significant flooding occurred in Queensland. 
1984 July The widespread rain during the middle of the month caused flooding and stranded campers for some days in the Carnarvon Gorge National Park from the 16th.

Widespread moderate to local heavy rain from the 23rd to 27th caused flooding in the southeast quarter from 25th . Minor flooding commenced in the Macintyre River on the 25th , and minor flooding in the Moonie River the following day. Stream rises in the upper Dawson River closed the bridge at Taroom , the night of 26th. On 27th , flooding became more widespread . Moderate flooding in the Macintyre River increasing to major flooding on 29th , downstream from Goondiwindi ,and continued till the end of the month. Minor flooding in the Weir River became moderate to major flooding on 30th and continued the next day. Moderate flooding in the Balonne River increased to major flooding on the 30th. Moderate to major flooding in the Dawson River became major flooding on 28th and eased on the 30th, with minor flooding till the 31st. Moderate flooding in the Condamine River became major flooding on 30th till 31st , downstream from Chinchilla. Moderate flooding in the Moonie River continued till 31st downstream from Flinton. Minor flood levels occurred in the Bremer River and Warrill Creek on 28th.
1984 August Flooding continued from July for the following rivers : 

Moderate to major flooding in the Moonie River till the 5th. Moderate flooding in the Weir River till the 5th.

Minor flooding occurred in the Dawson River till the 3rd.

Major flooding in the Macintyre River reached a peak at Mungindi on the 10th.

Major flooding in the Balonne River with flood peaks recorded at Surat on 7th , St. George on 12th , Dirranbandi on 15th , and finally at Hebel on 22nd.
1984 September to October  No significant flooding occurred in Queensland . 
1984 November A flood advice for local flooding , below minor flood levels, was issued for the Balonne River from Surat to St George on the 5th and 6th.

Heavy rain on the Sunshine Coast produced local flooding in Cooroy , Noosa and Pomona on the 7th. Local flash flooding occurred in the Brisbane metropolitan area on the 12th.
1984 December Stream rises occurred in the Dumaresq River between Texas and Goondiwindi on the 12th and 13th. Minor flooding occurred in the Macintyre River downstream from Goondiwindi on the 13th and 14th.

Local heavy rainfall fell in the northwest , to 0900 on the 16th. Some falls exceeded 100mm , causing traffic disabilities. In the Georgina River and tributaries , minor flooding occurred on the 18th in the Urandangie to Glenormiston area and increased to moderate flooding the next day. Major flooding commenced on the 21st in the Glenormiston to Marion Downs area and continued till the end of the month. Minor flooding started in the Eyre Creek on the 27th and continued till the 31st.

Taroom experienced moderate flooding in the upper Dawson River from the 19th to the 20th. Moderate flooding also occurred in the Theodore area on the 19th and 20th and minor flooding continued till the 24th.
1985 January Moderate flooding continued from December in the Georgina River in the Marion Downs area till the 3rd and minor to moderate flooding was expected to commence in Eyre Creek as floodwaters from the Georgina River moved downstream.
1985 February Moderate flooding commenced in the Paroo River on the 14th and then in the Bulloo River the following day. Moderate flooding continued downstream from Quilpie to Thargomindah with minor flooding at Eulo and Hungerford on the 8th.
1985 March During the afternoon of the 14th , minor flooding occurred in the lower Don and Proserpine rivers , decreasing below minor flood levels during the morning of the 15th. During the afternoon of the 15th minor flooding and traffic disabilities were recorded in the Tully River and adjacent streams , increasing to minor to moderate flooding during the same evening and commenced falling slowly during the next few days. Flood levels below minor flooding were reported on the 18th. River rises occurred again in the Tully River and adjacent streams during the afternoon of the 22nd , becoming moderate flooding on the 23rd and commenced falling on the 24th to below minor flood levels.
1985 April to
June		 No significant flooding occurred in Queensland.
1985 July During the evening and night of the 8th widespread heavy rain , associated with a low pressure area off the Moreton South Coast , caused stream rises and traffic disabilities at low creek crossings in the Sunshine Coast area from Caboolture to Eumundi , and minor flooding and traffic disabilities in the Mary River above Gympie.
1985 August During the evening of the 17th , thunderstorms in the Brisbane metropolitan area caused local flash flooding.
1985 September No significant flooding occurred in Queensland.
1985 October Local flooding associated with thunderstorms in the Rockhampton area on 22nd . Flooding in low lying areas of metropolitan Brisbane due to heavy rain during the morning of the 27th.
1985 November Widespread moderate to heavy rainfall , in the southwest quarter , caused flooding and traffic disabilities in the first week. Major flooding commenced in the Paroo River on the 4th and continued till the 13th when major flooding eased and minor flooding continued till 16th. Moderate flooding commenced in the Bulloo River on the 5th downstream from Quilpie , and continued till the 13th with flood levels falling slowly.

Minor flooding commenced in the lower Balonne and Maranoa rivers in the Roma and Surat areas on the 7th and continued in the lower Balonne River till the 10th.

Heavy rains on the Central Coast closed the main coastal highway 10km south of Sarina on the 24th. A boy drowned in a flooded drain at Gartgett , (50km west of Mackay) during the afternoon of the 25th.
1985 December Stream rises occurred in the Paroo and Macintyre rivers on the 10th with flood warnings being issued from 10th to 13th for the Macintyre. Thunderstorm rainfall in the Gympie district caused flash floods in Spring Creek on the night of the 27th. On the 27th , two people were drowned when a camp site was overwhelmed.
1986 January Moderate flooding occurred in the Tully River during the last 2 days of the month due to widespread heavy rains on the North Coast associated with tropical Cyclone "Winifred".
1986 February Widespread heavy rainfall increased moderate flooding during the early morning of 1st in the Tully area to major flooding with the highway closed and traffic disabilities. This continued till the 3rd , when flood levels commenced falling , and were below minor flooding on 4th.

Major flooding commenced in the North and South Johnstone rivers during the evening of 1st and continued till the morning of 2nd.

Moderate flooding in the Herbert River commenced on 1st , became a major flood with traffic disabilities on 2nd , and continued till 4th. Levels were below minor flooding on 5th.

Minor flooding started in the Lower Burdekin River on 4th , due to moderate to heavy rain on 6th. This increased to moderate flooding on 7th and levels were below minor flooding on 8th.

Minor flooding commenced in the Upper Warrego River on 4th and continued below the Charleville area on 6th for the next few days.

Significant rises occurred in the Thomson and Barcoo rivers and tributaries on 4th. Moderate to major flooding commenced on 6th with major flooding on 7th in the Stonehenge area. This resulted in major flooding in the Cooper Creek on 8th. 

Major flooding in the Bulloo River around the Adavale area commenced on 5th with major flooding in the Quilpie area on 8th and becoming moderate flooding in the Thargomindah area on 17th.

Moderate flooding in the Diamantina River commenced at Diamantina Lakes on 8th, minor to moderate flooding occurred in the Monkira area on 19th and continued as minor flooding to Birdsville for the next few days.

Major flooding commenced in Cooper Creek in the Windorah area on 8th and the flood peak was expected in the Durham Downs area early in March.
1986 March Minor to moderate flooding continued in Cooper Creek , with the peak recorded at Durham Downs on 14th . Flooding continued to Nappa Merrie for the next three to four weeks.
1986 April to
September		 No significant flooding occurred in Queensland.
1986 October Widespread rain with local falls exceeding 100mm in parts of the Carpentaria and Central Highlands to 0900 on 23rd caused local flooding and traffic disabilities in the upper reaches of the Cloncurry River and tributaries , and minor flooding in the Dawson River and tributaries below the Theodore area. The Leichhardt Highway was closed for some hours between Taroom and Theodore. Local flooding in Emerald to Clermont and Emerald to Blackwater areas. Local flooding at Wowan , the worst for 14 years.
1986 November to
December		 No significant flooding occurred in Queensland.
1987 January Minor flooding occurred on the 30th , downstream of Goondiwindi , in the MacintyreRiver. On 31st moderate flooding occurred in the Paroo River at Humeburn.
1987 February Moderate flooding in the Paroo River on the first two days decreased to minor flooding on the 3rd and 4th downstream from Eulo. Minor flooding occurred in the Warrego River for the first four days. Heavy rain on the North Coast produced minor flooding in the Tully River on the 14th.

Widespread moderate to local heavy rainfall in the western districts associated with the remnants of tropical Cyclone "Jason" brought minor to moderate flooding in the Diamantina and Georgina rivers from 16th to 25th , minor to moderate flooding in Cooper Creek from 19th to 27th and minor to moderate flooding in the Bulloo and Paroo rivers from 19th till the end of the month.
1987 March Heavy overnight rainfall to 0900 5th in the South Coast Moreton district caused local flooding and traffic disabilities in parts of the Brisbane and Gold Coast city areas.

Minor to moderate flooding continued in the Bulloo and Paroo rivers till 3rd and minor flooding in Cooper Creek till 4th.
1987 April No significant flooding occurred in Queensland.
1987 May Local heavy rain in the North Coast area on the 8th produced minor flooding in the Tully River and adjacent streams on the 8th and 9th.

Very heavy rainfall in the extreme southeast corner caused local flash flooding in parts of the Gold Coast area on the 10th.

Moderate rains in the headwaters of the Paroo River caused minor flooding from the 16th till the flood peak passed Hungerford during the morning of 23rd.
1987 June Moderate with local heavy rain in parts of the southwest and central inland during the weekend to 0900 22nd resulted in moderate flooding in the Paroo River from 22nd till 29th and moderate flooding and traffic disabilities in the Bulloo River from 23rd till 26th.
1987 July No significant flooding occurred in Queensland.
1987 August Minor flooding was reported from the lower Paroo River from the 19th to 24th.
1987 September to  October No significant flooding occurred in Queensland.
1987 November Showers and storms during the weekend of the 7th and 8th and further local heavy falls on the 9th in the southwest corner of the State resulted in moderate flooding in the Paroo River from the 12th , and minor flooding in the Bulloo River from the 13th, continuing till 18th. 
1987 December Minor flooding was reported in the Mary River on 1st and 2nd, and minor flooding and traffic disabilities in the Weir and Moonie rivers from the 2nd to 4th. On 3rd minor to moderate flooding commenced in the Paroo River and continued till 9th, and the same day minor to moderate flooding and traffic disabilities commenced in the Condamine and Balonne rivers , also continuing till 9th.

On 29th, in the lower reaches of the Paroo River, minor to moderate flooding , and minor flooding in the lower reaches of the Bulloo River. Both continued till the end of the month. On 30th, moderate flooding and traffic disabilities started in the Belyando and Cape rivers in the Burdekin Dam catchment and continued till 31st. Moderate flooding in the Georgina River around the Glenormiston area on 31st.
1988 January Continuing from the previous month, minor flooding in the Paroo , Belyando and Cape rivers till 4th. Moderate flooding in the Georgina River till 7th and minor flooding continued in Eyre Creek till 14th. 

Showers and thunderstorms with local heavy falls produced minor flooding in Myall Creek in the Dalby area on the 20th. The same day minor flooding occurred in the Macintyre and Weir rivers and continued in the Macintyre from the 21st till 26th as minor to moderate flooding.
1988 February A severe thunderstorm over Cooyar Creek catchment on the evening of Friday 12th caused the highest flood since European settlement in the township of Cooyar. Several houses and buildings were washed away and two lives were lost. As a result of the storm rains over the Darling Downs near Cooyar on the 11th and 12th, moderate flooding occurred in Myall and Oakey creeks. Minor flooding occurred in Dalby.

The tributary inflows to the Condamine River combined to cause major flooding downstream from Tummaville. This extended downstream to Surat over the following two weeks. Further storm rainfalls in the Surat - Mitchell area in the last week of the month contributed to flood levels in the Balonne River causing major flooding from Surat to St George and south to the New South Wales border. Major flooding was also recorded in the Macintyre River at Goondiwindi during the middle of the month. On 29th, the first warning was issued for the Pioneer River at the start of the Cyclone "Charlie" floods.
1988 March Major flooding extended along the lower Mackenzie and Fitzroy rivers early in the month as a result of heavy rainfalls associated with Cyclone "Charlie". The Fitzroy at Rockhampton peaked at 8.4m on the 11th with extensive inundation of low lying areas of the city. Only two floods have been higher this century - February 1918 and February 1954. The Bureau provided accurate river level predictions for Rockhampton about 8 days in advance.

Other flooding during the month included moderate to major flooding in the Maranoa and Balonne rivers in southern districts till then 7th, and minor flooding in the lower Burdekin River on the central coast on the 2nd. Minor flooding also in the Tully River on 17th and 18th and the Paroo River on the 31st.
1988 April This was the second most active flood warning month in Queensland since the 1974 floods, after the May 1983 floods. The total flood warnings issued were 161 with a maximum daily issue of 21 warnings on 6th. Widespread major flooding occurred in inland river systems on the Darling Downs, and in the Condamine-Balonne, Macintyre-Weir and Moonie river systems. Crop losses have been reported in the press as in excess of $50m. Extensive cash crop losses were sustained on Laidley Creek and Lockyer Creek flood plains.
1988 May Moderate rainfall during the last few days of April caused minor to moderate flooding in the Macintyre , Weir and Moonie rivers during the first three days in May.
1988 June Widespread moderate with local heavy rain on the 3rd and 4th in the South Coast districts caused moderate flooding in Warrill Creek near Amberley on the 5th and the same day minor to moderate flooding commenced in the Mary River above Gympie and continued till the 7th in the Tiaro area.
1988 July Widespread moderate with local heavy rainfall in the Moreton South Coast and East Darling Downs during the 4th to 6th caused general minor to moderate flooding to develop in the Mary , Bremer , Albert , Logan , Condamine , Macintyre and Dumaresq rivers. Major flooding occurred along Warrill Creek and some reaches of the Condamine River. Moderate flooding extended into the Balonne River system upstream from Beardmore Dam by the 11th , with areas downstream from Beardmore Dam to the New South Wales border experiencing minor to moderate flooding during the latter half of July. Moderate to major flooding in the Paroo River and moderate flooding in the Bulloo River also occurred during the 6th to the 14th.

A man drowned when his car was swept away in a flooded creek in one of the southern Brisbane suburbs.
1988 August Heavy rain on 22nd caused minor flooding in the Dawson River for 2 days from 23rd ,and the same day local flooding in the Mackenzie River.
1988 September Moderate rainfall in the southeast inlands produced minor to moderate flooding in the Macintyre River from the afternoon of the 13th below Goondiwindi and continued till the 19th.
1988 October to
November		 No significant flooding occurred in Queensland.
1988 December Flash flooding in Gladstone on the morning of the 18th caused $1 million damage to shops after heavy overnight rain. Widespread moderate to heavy rain in the Port Curtis area produced minor to moderate flooding in the Mary River from the 18th to the 22nd and moderate to major flooding in the Burnett River from the 18th to the 20th.
1989 January No significant flooding occurred in Queensland.
1989 February Widespread moderate with local heavy rain till 0900 on 4th in the Central Coast area produced minor to moderate flooding in the Pioneer River. More extensive falls in the Central Lowlands caused significant stream rises in the Thomson and Barcoo rivers the same day, increasing to minor to moderate flooding the next day with traffic disabilities, increasing to major flooding on the 9th. Local flooding in the Winton area stranded 24 people, roads were also closed in the northwest of the State and in the Carnarvon National Park area. Thousands of sheep, shorn and unshorn, drowned in floodwaters in the Longreach area, whilst sheltering from cold and windy conditions.

Moderate flooding commenced in the Connors River on the 8th and continued till the 10th. Major flooding started in Cooper Creek on the 11th continuing till the 24th when the final warning was issued for flooding to continue from Durham Downs to Nappa Merrie for the next 2 weeks.
1989 March Heavy rainfall to 0900 6th on the Far North Coast resulted in minor to moderate flooding in the Tully River , easing the next day. Further moderate to local heavy rain on 9th produced minor flooding and interruptions to rail traffic in the Tully River and Johnstone River areas on 9th and 10th.

Moderate rains in the central interior to 0900 19th produced minor flooding in the Barcoo River at Blackall on 19th, at Isisford on 21st , and continued till 23rd. Minor to moderate flooding also at Mt Morris in the Langlo River on 19th and 20th.

Minor to moderate flooding in the Tully and Herbert rivers on 20th caused road and rail traffic disabilities , and continued till 23rd. The rains in the inland prior to Easter closed many roads in the west , southwest and Darling Downs districts. 

Widespread rains in the southeast inland produced minor to moderate flooding in the Macintyre , Weir and Moonie rivers from 27th till the end of the month. Heavy overnight rain in the Sunshine Coast hinterland during 30th/31st caused flooding of the Bruce Highway in the Cooroy area and local flooding in Maryborough. Minor flooding occurred in the Mary River at Gympie 31st and moderate flooding in the Balonne River at Surat.
1989 April Heavy rains in southeast Queensland produced general stream rises in most catchments during Saturday 1st and caused flooding in the Albert and Logan rivers and adjacent streams between Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The pondage at the recently enlarged Hinze Dam was approximately 3m below the spillway level at the onset of the rain period. The dam commenced to spill late on Sunday 2nd and the vacant storage had prevented flooding in the Nerang River.

Very heavy rains commenced over the Mary River catchment and Sunshine Coast streams before noon on Sunday 2nd , and by 2100 that day rainfall totals had exceeded 260mm at Kenilworth and Kandanga. The Mary River peaked at Gympie at 19.65m at 2130 on Monday 3rd with major flooding , and at Maryborough at 6.6m on 5th.

The Albert and Logan rivers experienced moderate flooding , and local to minor flooding occurred in creeks in the greater Brisbane area during the same period. The Logan River at Waterford peaked at 7.2m on 3rd.

Cyclone "Aivu" brought heavy to flood rains to the Burdekin coast and severe local flooding developed in creeks between Townsville and Mackay during 4th April. The main flood areas were in the Pioneer River and Cattle Creek west of Mackay.

Major flooding occurred overnight and produced a peak of 7.8m at Mackay early on Wednesday 5th. Major flooding in the Proserpine River and moderate flooding in the Don River occurred during the 4th. Moderate flooding occurred in the Burdekin River below the dam from heavy tributary runoff causing a moderate flood peak of 10.0m at Inkerman Bridge.

Major flood levels were reached in the northern headwaters of the Fitzroy River basin in the Connors River and Funnel Creek on the 5th causing a subsequent flood peak of 6.0m at Rockhampton on the 15th with minor to moderate flooding. 

Heavy inland rain fell during 5th and 6th in the Thomson and Barcoo catchments with record rainfalls for the 24 hour period being recorded in the Longreach area. Major flooding occurred in the Thomson River below Longreach and in Cooper Creek. The Cooper Creek flood peak was approaching the South Australia border at the end of the month.

A renewed heavy rain period commenced in southeast Queensland on 25th causing major flooding to re-occur at Gympie on the Mary River , and in the upper Brisbane River , the Albert and Logan rivers to the south of Brisbane and other coastal streams between Maryborough and the New South Wales border. Severe local flooding also occurred in the Brisbane metropolitan area overnight on Tuesday 25th.One person was drowned at a creek crossing on the Gold Coast; another person drowned in Enoggera Creek and another was electrocuted on the Sunshine Coast.

The Mary River at Gympie peaked at 19.0m at 2100 on Wednesday 26th, and downstream at Maryborough the peak was 6.55m on Friday 28th. Burnett River recorded minor flood levels on Friday 28th. Major flooding also developed in the Dawson River and a Taroom peak of 6.6m was observed on the 29th.

Renewed rises caused minor flooding along the Condamine River during the week following the 25th. Further downstream, tributary inflows to the Balonne River caused moderate flooding in the Surat area on the 29th , extending to St George by the end of the month. 

The main flood peak in Cooper Creek was located downstream from Karmona station near the end of the month.
1989 May During the first week of May , flooding continued in many southern Queensland river basins as a result of rainfalls during April. The Dawson River at Theodore peaked at 11.58m with moderate flooding Tuesday 2nd , followed by a peak of 11.02m downstream at Moura on Thursday 4th. Flood warnings were also current for the Condamine and Balonne river systems during early May. Areas of minor flooding occurred along the Condamine River. The Balonne River at Surat recorded a moderate flood peak of 8.26m on April 30th which subsequently produced moderate flooding along the Balonne to the New South Wales border. 

Flood warnings also remained current for Cooper Creek during early May. Major flooding was renewed in the Thomson and Barcoo rivers, Cooper Creek and the Bulloo and Paroo rivers caused by heavy rainfall in southwest and central Queensland during the 48 hour period to 0900 10th. Rainfalls of 50 to 100mm were reported for this period in the Thomson River catchment between Longreach and Windorah and in the Barcoo River catchment downstream of Isisford. Yaraka reported 200mm for the same period. Widespread high level flooding developed in southwest Queensland. The Bulloo River at Quilpie peaked at 6.22m on Friday 12th compared with the January 1974 peak of 6.53m. Eulo on the Paroo River recorded a major flood peak of 5.05m on the 14th. Windorah on Cooper Creek peaked at 7.0m on the 15th causing widespread major flooding of the Cooper channel country to continue throughout May.

Further heavy rain re-occurred in southwest Queensland on the 15th. Major flooding was renewed in the lower Barcoo River and in the Paroo and Bulloo rivers. Quilpie recorded a second peak of 6.18m on the 17th. By the end of May , flood warnings remained current for the Bulloo , Paroo , Thomson and Barcoo rivers and Cooper Creek with the main flooded areas in the lower reaches of these streams. Minor flooding also re-occurred in the Warrego River during the end of May , resulting from 50 to 60mm of rain in the Charleville area on the 27th. 

Very heavy rain also re-developed in the southeastern districts during the 16th and 17th. Minor to moderate flooding was recorded in the Albert and Logan rivers, and also in the Bremer River and Warrill Creek. The Logan River at Waterford Bridge peaked at about 5.80m on Thursday 18th causing minor flooding.

Press reports on the 10th : Widespread flooding in the Yaraka and Jundah areas.

Press reports on the 14th : Damage to livestock is estimated at $1 million in Quilpie and Windorah areas.

Press reports in the southwest : Floods worst in 15 years according to local residents. Food drops to isolated properties in Charleville , Quilpie and Windorah districts, helicopters evacuated people from flooded properties.
1989 June Flooding continued , [ from May ] , in the following catchments :

Warrego River , minor flooding till 4th.

Bulloo River , moderate flooding till the 5th.

Paroo River , moderate flooding till 9th.

Thomson River , minor flooding till the 5th. 

Lower Barcoo River , minor flooding till the 5th.

Cooper Creek , moderate flooding continued till the 9th.

Widespread light to moderate rainfall in the southeast inland on the 5th and 6th caused minor to moderate flooding in the Upper Dawson River from 7th till 11th and minor to moderate flooding in the Balonne River from 10th to 15th , due to releases from Beardmore Dam.
1989 July to
September		 No significant flooding occurred in Queensland.
1989 October From the 25th , minor flooding in the Balonne River till the 31st, and minor to moderate flooding in the Dawson River till 30th. Local heavy rains in the southern Central Highlands and adjacent Maranoa and Darling downs to 9am on the 25th.
1989 November Minor flooding continued in the Balonne River till the 3rd. On the 6th minor flooding commenced in the Dawson River. This became major flooding the next day , then eased to moderate flooding on the 9th and minor flooding from the 13th to the 16th.

On the 6th minor flooding commenced in the Balonne River, became moderate flooding on the 8th and eased to minor flooding from 15th to the 22nd. Minor flooding occurred in Myall Creek in the Dalby area on the 11th.

Heavy rain in the northwest on the 22nd cut road and rail traffic in the Mt Isa and Cloncurry area. On the 26th heavy rain in the western districts closed roads and stranded tourists in the Birdsville area.

On the 29th minor to moderate flooding commenced in the Diamantina River and the same day moderate flooding commenced in the Thomson River and continued till the end of the month.
1989 December Minor to moderate flooding continued in the Diamantina River till the 4th , in the Thomson River, and in Cooper Creek from the 4th till the 11th. Widespread rain and storms till 0900 on 5th in the southeast corner of the state caused minor to moderate flooding and traffic disabilities in the Logan River. Local heavy rain in the southern Granite Belt on 13th and 14th caused minor to moderate flooding in the Dumaresq and Macintyre rivers on the 15th ,continuing till 20th.

Updated November 2010.