Queensland Faces Major Flood Crisis as Bundaberg Residents Ordered to Evacuate Immediately
Residents of the coastal Queensland city of Bundaberg have been issued an urgent evacuation order as the region braces for major flooding following days of heavy rainfall across northern Australia. The emergency alert comes as the Bureau of Meteorology forecasts the Burnett River at Bundaberg could exceed 7 metres and potentially rise to 7.5 metres by midnight.
Immediate Evacuation Warnings Issued
The Bundaberg local disaster management group has warned that lives are at risk and advised residents to "leave immediately" ahead of major flooding that is expected to cause property inundation and isolation. Queensland MP for Bundaberg, Tom Smith, emphasized the urgency, stating that bridges would close by 3pm, forcing residents to make immediate decisions about their safety.
"The Bundaberg Recreational Precinct has been established as a place of refuge," Smith said in his message to residents. "That means you need to make a decision as to where are you going to stay."
Widespread Flooding Across Queensland
The Bureau of Meteorology reported that rivers throughout Queensland are running exceptionally high, with major flooding occurring for at least 15 different rivers as of Tuesday morning. Although the rain has cleared over the worst affected areas, rivers are expected to remain at elevated levels for some time due to the substantial rainfall already received.
Among the highest three-day rainfall totals recorded from Saturday to Tuesday were 396mm at Boondooma, 381mm at Marodian, 279mm at Bundaberg South, and 263mm at Gympie. Further inland, the Burnett River at Mundubbera was expected to pass the major flood threshold of 18 metres on Tuesday afternoon.
Northern Territory Also Grappling With Severe Flooding
Meanwhile, the Northern Territory is experiencing its worst flooding in decades, with Darwin residents asked to reduce water use after the Darwin River Dam – the city's major water source – stopped operating due to substantial flooding of the pump station and associated equipment. PowerWater, the territory's water and electricity supplier, described the situation as unprecedented, noting the dam had reached more than 110% capacity.
Daniel Hayes of the Bureau of Meteorology explained that a trough over the Northern Territory that has brought major flooding to parts of the Top End is likely to persist for several more days, with heavy rainfall expected to continue through the week. Preliminary data suggests Darwin's wet season will be the seventh wettest on record, while Katherine is on track for its fifth wettest ever wet season.
National Response and Climate Context
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has urged people in affected communities to prioritize their safety by following flood advice and warnings. He specifically warned motorists against driving through flood waters after several rescues, including a child from Bargara near Bundaberg.
"If it's flooded, forget it – we can't say it too many times," Albanese emphasized. "If people follow that advice, we'll continue to provide support, as we always do, with the state and territory governments."
The 2025-26 summer has been Australia's wettest in nearly a decade, with rainfall 32% higher than average across the country. This extreme weather occurs against the backdrop of global heating, which is making Australia more vulnerable to natural disasters including flash flooding and intense rainfall. In 2025, the third-hottest year on record, global surface air temperatures averaged 1.48°C above preindustrial levels, with each degree of warming allowing the atmosphere to hold 7% more moisture.
Emergency services continue to monitor the situation closely as both Queensland and the Northern Territory face ongoing flood threats, with residents advised to stay informed through official channels and heed all evacuation orders and safety warnings.
