Overview surface trough and associated rainfall and flooding

Disaster management in Queensland is led locally, so decisions can be made close to the people and places affected. The Queensland Police Service (QPS) supports local councils and communities through planning, training, and coordination before, during and after disasters.

To get ready for the 2024-25 Higher Risk Weather Season, QPS worked with local governments, state agencies, community groups and residents. This included help to update disaster plans, run training, and practise responses through local, district and state exercises.

In December 2024, the Bureau of Meteorology forecast a higher chance of very hot days and heatwaves, and above‑average rainfall across much of Queensland in early 2025. The Bureau of Meteorology also noted a higher-than-average chance of severe tropical cyclones, linked to warmer sea surface temperatures.

Queensland’s Disaster Management Arrangements (QDMA) were activated for the Western Queensland Surface Trough and Associated Rainfall and Flooding event in March to May 2025.

What happened

The event began on 21 March 2025, bringing widespread heavy rain across western Queensland. Rainfall increased again in early April as moisture from ex‑Tropical Cyclone Dianne moved across from Western Australia into southern Queensland.

Ongoing rainfall led to multiple flood warnings and major flooding, especially in the Channel Country and along key rivers including the Thomson, Barcoo, Bulloo, Paroo, Warrego, Diamantina and Georgina Rivers, plus Cooper and Eyre Creeks.

Between 22 and 31 March, a low‑pressure system caused widespread thunderstorms and heavy rain. Some parts of western Queensland recorded up to 633 mm, making it the wettest March on record since 1900. Flooding cut major highways, isolated towns and remote communities, and caused livestock losses.

Floodwaters isolated many communities, including: Adavale, Birdsville, Bedourie, Doomadgee, Eromanga, Jundah, Quilpie, Stonehenge, Windorah, Yaraka and Yowah. Because the ground was already soaked, even short bursts of heavy rain caused fast river rises and local flash flooding.

How did we prepare

Before the worst impacts, agencies moved people and equipment into areas likely to be affected. This included:

• Vehicles and emergency equipment (such as generators and flood boats)
• Mobile communications equipment
• Drones and aircraft
• Supplies like water and fuel
• Specialist workers, including road crews, telecom technicians, power crews and emergency services staff

Agencies also worked with communities about livestock and animal welfare, including how to manage animal deaths and how to protect animals during long periods of flooding. QPS pre‑deployed officers to support vulnerable communities, and 118 SES personnel with 11 assets (vehicles and flood boats) were sent into the Central and South West regions.

How did we respond

A Public Safety Preservation Act (PSPA) declaration was put in place for Adavale on 27 March after floodwater entered the town and affected homes. Two Disaster Declarations were also made for the Charleville and Longreach Disaster Districts.

The State Disaster Coordination Centre (SDCC) was activated from 26 March to 9 April to support the response across northern, western and southern Queensland. The event shifted toward recovery on 4 April, after Mr Stuart Mackenzie OAM was announced as the State Recovery Coordinator on 1 April.

During the response:

• The SDCC operated for 17 days, involving 14 agencies and 166 staff.
• Local governments published 103 Australian Warning System (AWS) warnings on the State Warnings Map. No emergency alerts were issued.
• A BoM forecaster worked inside the SDCC to provide regular briefings. Risk assessments and flood modelling were shared with local and district disaster groups.

Flooding caused major disruptions:

• Some towns lost power due to flood damage, or power was switched off for safety.
• Highways, roads and rail lines were cut by floodwater, debris and damage.
• People were evacuated by boat or aircraft from flood zones in Adavale, Windorah, Jundah and Thargomindah.
• Many people in Jundah were evacuated. Those who stayed relied on private generators.
• In Thargomindah, the community tried to build a temporary dirt levee, but it failed and the town flooded.

Impact and consequences

Getting power, communications and other essential services back quickly is critical after flooding. During this event:

• More than 250 customers, and in some places whole towns, lost power and telecommunications.
• The Temporary Emergency Accommodation Plan was activated to support residents returning home once waters dropped.
• Volunteer clean‑up work was coordinated through local councils to avoid duplication and speed up recovery.
• Many roads were closed due to debris, flood damage and unsafe driving conditions.
• Jundah ran out of treated water when the town’s water treatment plant went offline.

Primary producers were heavily impacted:

• Early estimates of missing or dead livestock (cattle, sheep and goats) were over 100,000, and the final number was expected to be higher.
• Animal welfare issues included flystrike, starvation, hypothermia and miscarriages in lambs and goats.
• Flood damage affected over 3,000 km of fences and 4,000 km of private roads. Restocking livestock depends on rebuilding fencing.

Flood monitoring was also challenging. Many flood gauges still needed manual readings, which required emergency workers and community members to travel and report results. The Flood Warning Infrastructure Network (FWIN) program is working over 10 years from 2024 to upgrade and expand flood warning systems and reduce reliability risks.

Relief and recovery

Because the impacts were widespread, Australian Government support was made available in many areas.

• Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) was made available in the LGAs of:
  Brisbane, Bundaberg, Fraser Coast, Gold Coast, Gympie, Ipswich, Livingstone, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Moreton Bay, Noosa, Redland, Scenic Rim, Somerset, Southern Downs, Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba.
• Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) was made available in localities within the LGAs of:
  Brisbane, Fraser Coast, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Moreton Bay, Redland, Scenic Rim, Somerset, Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba.