Tropical Cyclone Joy brought about widespread rainfall between Cairns and Townsville. A total of 10 rivers were affected including the Tully, Johnstone, Pioneer, Don, Haughton, Connors, Isaac, Mackenzie, Fitzroy and Burdekin rivers. Towns affected included Rockhampton, Gulf Country, Normanton, Mornington Island, Doomadgee, Muttaburra, Longreach, Mt Isa and Cairns. By 30 December Blue Mountain had recorded 831 mm of rain.
A total of six lives were lost as a result of the severe weather. Exceptional rain fell over the period 23 Dec to 7 Jan and some stations in the Pioneer catchment received 2 m of rain.
The Insurance Council of Australia estimated the 1990 damage at $32 million, with the 2011 estimated normalised cost of $121 million.