South-eastern Australia, September 2016

Flood - south-eastern Australia

Quick Statistics

1 Fatalities

September 2016 was an exceptionally wet month across south-eastern Australia, with over twice the long-term average rainfall over inland New South Wales and Queensland, outback South Australia, north and west Victoria and the Northern Territory. This followed above-average rainfall through the preceding winter, which had already led to many catchments being saturated. The result was significant flooding in central New South Wales, western Victoria, parts of western Queensland, and areas around Adelaide.

Impact by jurisdiction

Queensland

In Queensland major flooding had a significant impact on the road network. Though not unusual in absolute terms, flood levels were atypical for the time of year.

Major flood levels recorded at:

Balonne River (at St George)
Warrego River (at Cunnamulla Bridge)
Macintyre River (at Goondiwindi).

New South Wales

In New South Wales, persistent, heavy rain and flooding throughout September and into October resulted in the closure of many roads for weeks at a time. There were over 2,650 requests for assistance and a total of 105 flood rescues during September, including animal rescues and medical transports.

Evacuations were ordered in parts of Ungarie and Forbes, affecting close to 1,200 people across 350 properties. More than 100 properties were damaged by floodwaters.

Significant flooding:

Bogan River
Macquarie River
Lachlan River – including Forbes Iron Bridge, Condobolin Bridge.

At Forbes Iron Bridge, flood levels peaked at 10.67 metres on 25 September – the highest since 1952 and the second highest on record.

Victoria

In Victoria, the State Emergency Service received 1,500 calls for assistance between 9-19 September and performed more than 20 flood rescues. Thirteen schools were closed; mid-month, over 190 roads were closed at some point. Twenty-five Local Government Areas were impacted; parts of some towns were evacuated.

One person drowned in Wallacedale, south of Hamilton, after his ute was washed away by floodwaters.

Major flooding recorded:

Avoca River

Flooding at Charlton Township peaked at 7.55 metres on 17 September. Up to ten houses were damaged.

Glenelg River

Flooding at Casterton peaked at 6.1 metres on 11 September; several premises were flooded and up to 40 more isolated.

Wimmera River
Loddon River

South Australia

Early on 14 September, a low pressure system deepened near the south-east coast of South Australia. Gusts of 90-100 kilometres per hour affected parts of Kangaroo Island, Adelaide and the Mount Lofty Ranges. Many trees and tree branches came down, leading to over 200 calls for assistance to emergency services. Heavy to moderate rain accompanied the low.

Notable rainfall:

14 September: 60 millimetres fell in the six hours to 4:00pm.
15 September: 135 millimetres fell in the 48 hours to 9:00am.

The most significant rainfall fell around Ashton, Uraidla, Cherryville, Crafers and Mount Lofty.

The rain caused the worst flash flooding since November 2005 for many creeks in metropolitan areas; Onkaparinga River experienced riverine flooding. There was significant damage to roads and property; close to 80 homes were inundated. Approximately 20 Old Noarlunga homes were flooded by releases from Mount Bold Reservoir.

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Sources

This incident was included in the Major Incidents Report 2016-17 (Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience, 2017). The report acknowledges the following sources:

Bureau of Meteorology 2016, Monthly Weather Review Australia September 2016, prepared 15 November 2016.
Bureau of Meteorology 2017, Special Climate Statement 58 - record September rains continue wet period in much of Australia, 31 May 2017/

Additional sources:

Bureau of Meteorology 2016, 'Annual climate statement 2016'.
Bureau of Meteorology 2016, 'Australia in September 2016'.
Bureau of Meteorology, 'What is El Niño and what might it mean for Australia?'.
Bureau of Meteorology, 'What are El Niño and La Niña events?'.
Michael Perry, 'Indian Ocean linked to Australian droughts', Reuters, 6 February 2009.