Queensland Town Hit by Heaviest Rainfall in 110 Years
Synopsis
Northern Queensland is dealing with exceptional rainfall from Ex-Cyclone Koji, with some areas recording their highest totals in more than a century. Flooding has closed roads, cut power to towns, and caused rivers to rise sharply from Ayr to inland centres such as Emerald. Strong winds damaged boats and broke moorings near Mackay, while rainfall of up to 350 millimetres in parts of the region has added to damage from earlier monsoon rain, prompting evacuation warnings in flood-prone areas. The event has highlighted weaknesses in transport and utility infrastructure and renewed calls for businesses and governments to adopt more resilient planning approaches in parts of Australia increasingly exposed to extreme weather.
After hours of intense rain, a town in Queensland woke to flooded streets and rising rivers, following the heaviest downpour the area has seen in 110 years. What remained of Tropical Cyclone Koji pushed across the north-east coast, dropping up to 350 millimetres of rain in a short span and cutting off roads, power, and access to entire communities. Weather officials say the threat stretches from Ayr to Mackay, where uneven rain bands continue to soak already saturated ground. Opposition Leader David Crisafulli has called for immediate evacuations in vulnerable areas, warning that while the system’s winds have eased, the flood danger is far more serious, made worse by weeks of relentless monsoon rain.
Cyclone Koji's Destructive Path
When Tropical Cyclone Koji crossed the coast near Ayr and Bowen on January 11, it brought strong winds and relentless rain to much of north and central Queensland. Heavy rain spread across the Whitsundays and the Central Coast, while inland communities west of Mackay were drenched with more than 300 millimetres in just days. In the Clarke Range, totals climbed as high as 350 millimetres, causing creeks to spill over and triggering repeated weather warnings. Thousands of homes lost power as trees fell and boats tore loose from their moorings. With easterly winds driving rain further inland toward Moranbah and Emerald, officials warned that the cyclone’s uneven shape had left the worst downpours south of its centre, soaking ground already saturated after weeks of monsoon rain.
Flood Chaos and Infrastructure Strain
Rivers, including the Burdekin and Thompson, are rising fast, with major flood warnings now in place as more heavy rain moves inland. Forecasters say another 100 to 200 millimetres could fall over the next two days, pushing totals toward 500 millimetres in the worst-hit areas. Roads are being cut from Bowen to Rockhampton, stranding residents and disrupting supplies in communities already worn down by repeated floods. As Ex-Cyclone Koji continues inland as a tropical low, steady rain has spread across the Central Highlands and Goldfields, turning minor flooding into a serious threat. Emergency crews are responding to intense bursts of rain, up to 140 millimetres in six hours inland and even higher along the coast, cutting off towns and delivering rainfall not seen in some locations since 1916.
Economic Ripples and Recovery Calls
Flooded highways have brought parts of Queensland’s economy to a standstill, with businesses facing freight delays and interrupted trade across major farming regions. The disruption has revived memories of earlier transport shortages, leaving producers unsure when supply lines will reopen. Authorities say the cleanup and repairs could take weeks and are encouraging businesses to rethink how they move goods as extreme weather becomes more common. The Queensland Government has rolled out assistance for affected communities, but concerns are growing about rising insurance costs and a slowdown in tourism in the Whitsundays. For many small businesses, the floods are forcing hard decisions about how to adapt and stay afloat.
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