On 27 December 1916, a cyclone in the Whitsunday Passage led to cyclonic rains and then flooding in Clermont, Sapphire and Peak Downs. Rivers including the Mackenzie, Comet, Nogoa and Barcoo broke their banks causing widespread casualties, damage and destruction to property and stock.

Between 5 pm on 28 December and 8 am the following morning, 21 inches of rain had fallen in Clermont.
Floodwaters rose nearly nine feet in half an hour, washing away whole families taking shelter on rooftops.

Lower Clermont was submerged and the town was afterwards built on higher ground. Flood victims were given a land grant subject to building within twelve months, however, the high cost of materials as a result of the war meant many had to forfeit their land.

Sixty one people died in the flood