March 2010 Queensland floods

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Heavy rain in March 2010 saw much of south western and central Queensland undergo major flooding. The floods saw inundation of the towns of Charleville, Roma, St George and Theodore among others. [1] Major rivers affected include the Warrego River, Balonne River, Bulloo River, Paroo River and the Dawson River. [1] [2]

Contents

Floods

The floods were caused by rainfall generated by a monsoon trough described by a Bureau of Meteorology forecaster as "almost like a tropical cyclone over land". [3] Over the period 13 March, rainfall totals of between 100–300 mm (4 to 12 inches) were observed in the area. [3] [4] This water ran into already saturated rivers and creeks in the area. [3]

The floods are estimated to have affected an area of Queensland larger in size than the Australian state of Victoria and thought to have caused hundreds of millions of dollars worth of damage to infrastructure such as roads and railways. [5] Losses from cotton crops destroyed at Theodore and the area around St George and Dirranbandi are expected to be significant. [6]

The floods, described by the Queensland Minister for Primary Industries Tim Mulherin as the "worst flood in 120 years" are however expected to provide a billion dollar boost to the local economy, following the "worst drought since Federation" [7] The floods have seen a large increase in the Australian plague locust population and the Australian Plague Locust Commission is concerned the locusts will head south and destroy what is expected to be a bumper winter grain crop. [8] The flood has seen an increase in the mosquito population with fogging taking place in Charleville, Augathella and Morven. [9]

Floodwaters are continuing to head downstream with the town of Goodooga, New South Wales in north western New South Wales cut off by road on 20 March 2010. [10] Rising levels in the Bokhara and Culgoa Rivers have seen the evacuation of Goodooga and Weilmoringle. Wanaaring on the Paroo River has been cut off from Bourke but the town itself was protected by a levee. [11]

The flood has increased the amount of water held in the Murray-Darling river systems, allowing South Australia an additional 400 gigalitres of water entitlement. [12] A river expert expects much of the floodwater will reach the Darling River and the Menindee Lakes and then through onto the Murray River. [13] Lake Eyre is also expected to receive much of the floodwaters flowing down the Cooper Creek and Diamantina River. [14]

On 21 March, Cyclone Ului made landfall in southeastern Queensland, producing heavy rains and flooding.

See also

Related Research Articles

Currawinya is a national park near Hungerford in South West Queensland, Australia, 828 km west of Brisbane. Part of the mulga lands bioregion this is an area of dry sandy plain with small trees and shrubs. The Paroo River passes through the park.

The Culgoa River is a river that is part of the Darling catchment within the Murray–Darling basin and is located in South West Queensland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charleville, Queensland</span> Town in Queensland, Australia

Charleville is a rural town and locality in the Shire of Murweh, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, the locality of Charleville had a population of 3,335 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cunnamulla</span> Town in Queensland, Australia

Cunnamulla is a town and a locality in the Shire of Paroo, Queensland, Australia. It is 206 kilometres (128 mi) south of Charleville, and approximately 750 kilometres (470 mi) west of the state capital, Brisbane. In the 2021 census, Cunnamulla had a population of 1,233 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Warrego River</span> River in Australia

The Warrego River is an intermittent river that is part of the Darling catchment within the Murray–Darling basin, which is located in South West Queensland and in the Orana region of New South Wales, Australia. The Warrego River is the northernmost tributary of the Darling River.

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Severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie in 2017 was the strongest tropical cyclone to strike Queensland since Marcia in 2015, and was the costliest tropical cyclone in Australia since Yasi in 2011. Forming as a tropical low on 23 March, the low gradually intensified into a named tropical cyclone on 25 March. After steadily strengthening offshore to a Category 4 system, Debbie eventually made landfall near Airlie Beach, at 12:40 AEST on 28 March. Afterwards, Debbie rapidly weakened into a tropical low by late 28 March, but continued to travel south, causing significant damage and flooding in the populous areas of South East Queensland and Northern Rivers. In total, the storm caused A$3.5 billion (US$2.67 billion) in damage and fourteen deaths across Australia, primarily as a result of extreme flooding. This makes Debbie the deadliest cyclone to hit Australia since Fifi in 1991.

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References

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  8. "Locust explosion after floods". ABC Rural. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 19 March 2010. Retrieved 20 March 2010.
  9. "Pest teams combat 'monstrous' mozzies". ABC News. 16 March 2010. Retrieved 20 March 2010.
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  13. "Floods promise Murray boost". ABC News. Retrieved 20 March 2010.
  14. Ker, Peter (13 March 2010). "Lake Eyre in line for second deluge". The Age. Melbourne. Retrieved 20 March 2010.