In recent days, Townsville has been grappling with severe flooding, recorded as the city’s heaviest 24-hour rainfall in 27 years. According to the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), Townsville recorded a staggering 301.4 mm of rain from 9 am on March 18 to 9 am on March 19, 2025. Most of this rainfall occurred between 1 am and 9 am, leading to widespread flooding across the city.
For many residents, the rain brought back haunting memories of previous floods. February's downpour, which resulted in 710 mm of rain over a mere 72 hours, had already traumatized the community. This week’s rain topped totals of 203 mm at Townsville Airport and peaked at 223 mm on Apjohn Street, Horseshoe Bay.
The heavy rainfall caught some residents by surprise, flooding homes and roads throughout the city. Ruth Knight, a West End resident, shared, “You just wake up to water everywhere. Nothing here. No warnings to us.” Despite attempts to notify residents via social media, the City of Townsville confirmed that no text warnings were dispatched to those at risk of flooding.
The flooding led to widespread road closures, affecting areas from Muarnee to Cungulla and including Magnetic Island. The Bruce Highway, a vital transport link for the region, also saw closures, further disrupting supplies to flood-affected areas. The Queensland Trucking Association described the ongoing closures as unacceptable, particularly following the recent floods that have already hindered traffic for weeks.
“It's unacceptable in today's day and age that Far North Queensland has to live with being fully cut off more than twice a year,” lamented Gary Mahon, the association's chief executive. The Bruce Highway has now been closed three times since February due to flooding, specifically affecting areas at Gairloch between Ingham and Cardwell.
Responding to the ongoing infrastructure issues, state and federal governments have announced a $9 billion program to improve the Bruce Highway. A $300 million early work commitment for 16 various projects between Gympie and Innisfail was made public, aiming to alleviate the flooding issues that frequently beset the region.
While recovery from the recent deluge began, more rainfall was forecast. With conditions expected to persist, the BoM has warned of further rises in river levels and increased flood risks. In addition to the Bohle and Tully Rivers, a minor flood warning was issued for the Ross River at Aplin Weir, which peaked at 1.16 meters on March 20, 2025.
The flooding has also significantly impacted local businesses and essential services. Townsville's Cathedral School lost five buses to the floodwaters, indicating the breadth of the damage caused by the inundation. Emergency services have been stretched thin, responding to calls for assistance as conditions worsen.
A critical infrastructure element, the Ollera Creek Bridge, was destroyed in the previous floods and repairs are ongoing. However, the Queensland government is already facing challenges in reestablishing reliable transport routes while trying to manage the human impact of these continual disasters.
Andrew Robinson, the Townsville Disaster Management Group chairman, noted that although unexpected, the intense rain is characteristic of North Queensland weather. “The rain has been a little bit higher than we anticipated, but not unusual. It is a one-in-20-year sort of event. People are fairly resilient up here. This is something we all experience from time to time. It is unfortunate,” he stated.
Resilience and community spirit were evident as neighbors assisted one another in the aftermath of the floods. However, with calls for better disaster management protocols intensifying, many are questioning how future events will be handled.
As Townsville prepares for more rain, the importance of proactive communication and infrastructure improvements is highlighted. Politicians and residents alike hope that the current investments will avert repeat disasters in the future.
After years of dealing with chronic flooding, residents are bracing for the next storm, with many left wondering when they will finally get the relief they so desperately seek.
For immediate assistance during flood emergencies, authorities remind people to contact the SES or call emergency services for life-threatening situations. With recovery efforts underway, the community looks to rebuild and emerge stronger.
