Hughenden, Queensland, January 1917

Flood - Hughenden

Quick Statistics

5 Fatalities

On New Year’s Day in 1917, Hughenden experienced what was reported as the greatest flood in 40 years. The Flinders River flooded the town’s Chinese Garden, submerged the Hughenden Station Woolshed and caused several homes to be swept away. Five members of the one family drowned as floodwaters swept their home downstream. Four siblings from the family survived and were rescued the following day.

Information Sources

Cairns Post, Hughenden Floods : The Jenkinson’s Tragic Story, 17 January 1917, viewed on Trove website (ID 40232875), 12 December 2013

The Brisbane Courier, Flood in the Flinders: All bodies recovered, 10 January 1917, viewed on Trove Website (ID 20158440), 12 December 2013

The Mercury, Queensland Floods: Losses at Hughendon, 8 January 1917, viewed on Trove website (ID 1059999), 12 December 2013