One year after devastating floods reshaped the Hinchinbrook Shire, the community stands resilient — rebuilding what was lost while protecting what lies ahead. From hardship came unity, strength, and a determination that continues to define the region today.
RESILIENCE, RECOVERY, REBUILD
A Community that Endures
One year on from one of the most devastating natural disasters to impact the Hinchinbrook Shire, the community continues to preserve, support one another, and rebuild what was lost, while working to safeguard the region’s future.
In January and February of 2025, severe and persistent rainfall saturated much of North Queensland, triggering extreme flooding across the state. Subsequent reports released by the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) confirmed February 2025 was among the wettest on record for many parts of the region, with areas including the Hinchinbrook Shire recording rainfall totals well above long-term historical averages.
The Herbert River surged far beyond typical flood levels, contributing to widespread inundation of homes, businesses and critical infrastructure. According to BOM and river gauge data, the Herbert River reached a peak of approximately 14.93 metres at the Ingham Pump Station on 3 February, with discharge estimated at around 495,000 megalitres per day. While the peak narrowly fell short of the 15.20 metres recorded during the historic 1967 floods, the 2025 event remains one of the most significant in more than a century of monitoring. The Ingham Pump Station has rarely exceeded the major flood threshold of 12 metres.
In response to the river exceeding major flood levels, several recovery and mitigation initiatives were advanced. In 2025, a proposal was submitted on behalf of the Herbert River Improvement Trust seeking $700,000 in funding to repair flood-damaged riverbanks at Halifax Washaway, with the aim of protecting key infrastructure including the road connecting Ingham and Halifax. Additionally, a $3.2 million initiative funded through the Queensland Reef Water Quality Program has since been actioned across local catchments to improve water quality, flood resilience and long-term environmental outcomes within the river system.
Flooding caused significant disruption across the transport network, with multiple roads cut throughout the region. Key routes, including sections of the Bruce Highway and the Ollera Creek Bridge between Ingham and Townsville, were closed for extended periods, isolating communities and restricting access to essential services.
Tragically, the Queensland Police Service confirmed two lives were lost in floodwaters in the Ingham area during the event. Authorities issued multiple emergency warnings as conditions deteriorated and floodwaters rose across the lower Herbert catchment.
Severe weather also resulted in widespread power outages, leaving many residents without electricity for days. Despite significant logistical challenges, Ergon Energy crews worked continuously to restore supply, reconnecting more than 33,000 homes and businesses across Queensland within the first two weeks of February. Crews navigated flooding, landslides, damaged infrastructure and inaccessible terrain to complete restorations.
“In one of the most logistically complex restorations we’ve come across, we did it by chopper and fixed wing, by barge, by ATV, by railbus, and on foot, until it was possible to get in tracked machinery, trucks and utes,” an Ergon Energy spokesperson said.
“While Ingham was completely isolated, our local legends kept their community safe and paved the way for restoration, despite some of them being directly affected by flooding and all of them without network power. Crews from Atherton, Cairns, Cannonvale, Charters Towers, Home Hill, Ingham, Innisfail, Mackay, Mount Isa, Mossman, Pinnacle and Townsville joined their Ingham colleagues slogging it out in sometimes atrocious conditions.”
State Emergency Service (SES) were vital in flood recovery and local emergency operations with teams leading several rescue and evacuation efforts across the Hinchinbrook Shire in collaboration with Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.
Residents rose to the challenge to support one another during a period of immense unpredictability including local business owner, Tony Lafano who selflessly packed equipment like generators and gas bottles in his tinny to deliver to those in need.
“It’s all [the flooding] has caught a few people by surprise,” he said.
Kimberley Veltmeyer’s family were isolated to their Macknade property during the event, however, she recounted that through the unwavering support and resilience of the tight-knit community, they were able to endure despite the disaster.
“With no power, intermittent internet and phones that only work every two days, and clean water that's only just come back on, this disaster, this hasn’t broken us. It's only made stronger,” said Kimberley.
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