2010 Gascoyne River flood

2010 severe flood along the Gascoyne River in Western Australia February 2017 February 2020 2010 Gascoyne River flood 03U Dec 16 2010 0225Z.jpg 16 December satellite image of the tropical low that caused the flooding 16–21 December 2010 Gascoyne River catchment in Western Australia None reported A$100 million (preliminary)Bureau of Meteorology 2010 14 January 2011 Gascoyne River flood http://www.bom.gov.au/announcements/sevwx/wa/gascoyne_river/gascoyne_river.shtml 15 July 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170715112227/http://www.bom.gov.au/announcements/sevwx/wa/gascoyne_river/gascoyne_river.shtml live The 2010 Gascoyne River flood was regarded as the most severe flood to take place along the Gascoyne River in Western Australia on record. Triggered by record-breaking rainfall, amounting to over 6,000 percent of the monthly mean, 313.6 mm in on and 5 mm in on respectively, in just four days, the floods caused widespread damage in the region. By 17 December, the river began to rise in response to the heavy rains, eventually exceeding its banks within two days. Water levels reached record values at three stations along the river, cresting at 15.53 m ft on near Fishy Pool. Evacuation orders were issued for several towns affected by rising waters. The most substantial impact was felt in Carnarvon where entire homes were washed away. Following the disaster, emergency supplies and funds were distributed to affected residents to aid them in restoring their livelihoods. Though no people died in the event, an estimated two thousand head of cattle perished and damage was estimated at A$100 million. Background thumb|left|The normally dry Gascoyne Riverbed in February 2009 On 11 December 2010, a monsoon trough developed northwest of Western Australia. Slowly tracking to the south, the system spawned a low-pressure system (Tropical Low 03U) by 15 December. Turning southeastward, the low later made landfall near Coral Bay on 18 December. Within hours of moving inland, the system turned to the southwest and moved back over water the following morning. The storm was last noted on 20 December well off the coast of Western Australia. Climatologically, the region affected by the floods is a dry area, with annual rainfall in most areas averaging between 200 and 300 mm on. December is regarded as the third-driest month of the year, with a mean rainfall of just 5 mm in on.Bureau of Meteorology 2010 14 January 2011 Climate statistics for Carnarvon, Western Australia http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_006011.shtml 17 March 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110317122315/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_006011.shtml live Prior to the event, much of the Gascoyne River catchment was suffering from a drought and many places abruptly shifted from drought conditions to record floods in less than 24 hours. Additionally, the river had no water flow before the floods, being a dry riverbed. Between 16 and 20 December, the low produced heavy rains over much of the area around Shark Bay. These rains reached record amounts in numerous locations and greatly surpassed the monthly mean December rainfall; some areas reached levels of more than 6,000 percent above this value due to the storm. During a 24‑hour span on 17 December, a record-shattering 247.6 mm in on of rain fell in Carnarvon. This value greatly exceeded both the previous record of 119.4 mm in on, set in 1923, and the city's annual average of 228.8 mm in on. Several other locations recorded similar rainfall in the region, also surpassing their annual rainfall totals in under two days. During the five-day span in which there was rainfall, a maximum of 313.6 mm in on was measured in Carnarvon. A total of 23 stations and towns recorded record 24‑hour rainfall for the month of December in relation to the storm.Bureau of Meteorology 4 January 2011 16 February 2011 Western Australia in December 2010: Record wet month in the northwest http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/month/wa/archive/201012.summary.shtml 29 June 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110629165959/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/month/wa/archive/201012.summary.shtml live According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Carnarvon Airport measured its wettest month on record, with 255 mm in on of rain falling in just four days. The previous record was set in June 1895 at 219.7 mm in on. Impact +Event rainfall compared to climatological averages Location Rainfall Average rainfallDecemberAnnual Carnarvon 313.6 mm in on 5.7 mm in on 228.8 mm in on MarronBureau of Meteorology 2011 14 January 2011 Monthly Rainfall Summary for Marron, Western Australia http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/cdio/weatherData/av?p_nccObsCode=139&p_display_type=dataFile&p_stn_num=006034 277.6 mm in on 7 mm in on 206.8 mm in on DoorawarrahBureau of Meteorology 2011 14 January 2011 Monthly Rainfall Summary for Doorawarrah, Western Australia http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/cdio/weatherData/av?p_nccObsCode=139&p_display_type=dataFile&p_stn_num=006019 24 September 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924045358/http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/cdio/weatherData/av?p_nccObsCode=139&p_display_type=dataFile&p_stn_num=006019 live 259.8 mm in on 7.7 mm in on 231.8 mm in on Mount NarryerBureau of Meteorology 2011 14 January 2011 Monthly Rainfall Summary for Mount Narryer, Western Australia http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/cdio/weatherData/av?p_nccObsCode=139&p_display_type=dataFile&p_stn_num=006069 248 mm in on 7.1 mm in on 196 mm in on Carey DownsBureau of Meteorology 2011 14 January 2011 Monthly Rainfall Summary for Carey Downs, Western Australia http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/cdio/weatherData/av?p_nccObsCode=139&p_display_type=dataFile&p_stn_num=006010 244 mm in on 9.7 mm in on 206.2 mm in on WinderieBureau of Meteorology 2011 14 January 2011 Monthly Rainfall Summary for Winderie, Western Australia http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/cdio/weatherData/av?p_nccObsCode=139&p_display_type=dataFile&p_stn_num=006053 208 mm in on 6.6 mm in on 230.2 mm in on Prior to the arrival of the monsoon low, the Bureau of Meteorology issued a flood watch for the Gascoyne River catchment on 15 December, stating that 150 to 200 mm in on of rain could fall over the following 72 hours. This was later upgraded to a flood warning as the situation worsened on 18 December. Once the rains ceased on 21 December, the warning was discontinued. During the torrential downpours, the Gascoyne River began to rise on 17 December, threatening to flood several towns along its banks. Water levels continuously rose through the morning of 19 December, at which time the floods attained their peak. In Fishy Pool, the river reached a record crest of 15.53 m ft on, surpassing the previous peak of 12.23 m ft on in 1980. The floods subsided relatively quickly as the river dropped below flood stage on 21 December. Once the river overflowed its banks, flood waters spread through vast agricultural and grazing areas, severely damaging crops and killing an estimated two thousand head of cattle. By 19 December, evacuations had taken place in rural parts of Carnarvon, with 200 residents residing in emergency shelters. The entire town was isolated from surrounding areas as flood waters cut off all roads; however, the main centre of the town remained untouched due to levees that were constructed in 1960. One person had to be rescued by a police helicopter after he was swept away by strong currents.Staff Writer Australian Broadcasting Corporation 20 December 2010 14 January 2011 Floodwaters force evacuations in Carnarvon http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/12/20/3097364.htm dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110124092843/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/12/20/3097364.htm 24 January 2011 dmy Large portions of the North West Coastal Highway were shut down due to flooding for several days, hindering travel in the region.Staff Writer Australian Broadcasting Corporation 18 December 2010 14 January 2011 Residents evacuate as Carnarvon flood looms http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/12/18/3096817.htm dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110122192350/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/12/18/3096817.htm 22 January 2011 dmy In Yalgoo, six residents required an airlift after becoming stranded in their home. A total of 30 people were rescued by helicopter on 20 December in Gascoyne Junction.Staff Writer Australian Broadcasting Corporation 20 December 2010 14 January 2011 Locals plucked from roof amid WA floods http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/12/19/3097034.htm dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110118080142/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/12/19/3097034.htm 18 January 2011 dmy Two days later, the entire town was evacuated and displaced residents sought refuge in Carnarvon.Staff Writer Australian Broadcasting Corporation 22 December 2010 14 January 2011 Emergency supplies flown in to flooded areas http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/12/22/3099153.htm?site%3Dnorthwestwa%26section%3Dnews%26date%3D%28none%29 https://archive.today/20240522083107/https://www.webcitation.org/5vjhUdY6d?url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/12/22/3099153.htm%3Fsite=northwestwa&section=news&date=(none) dead 22 May 2024 The most severe losses took place in the horticultural plantations which flank both sides of the river in Carnarvon, and in small communities and stations upriver. Several homesteads near Gascoyne Junction were washed away in the floods. and the center of the Gascoyne Junction township was referred to as an, "obliterated ghost town."Cristy-Lee Macqueen Australian Broadcasting Corporation 4 February 2011 16 February 2011 Survival, recovery and Aussie spirit-Gascoyne locals share their stories http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2011/02/04/3129867.htm live https://web.archive.org/web/20190709053942/http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2011/02/04/3129867.htm 9 July 2019 dmy Additionally, one person stated that he lost 50 percent of his banana crop. Throughout the affected area, preliminary assessments placed damage at A$100 million. Response By 20 December, arrangements for the delivery of emergency food and water supplies were made and expected to reach Carnarvon later that day. Supplies were also sent to outlying Aboriginal communities affected by the floods. After evacuating on 20 December, residents were allowed to return to their homes two days later in Carnarvon. However, most were left without power and clean water and required assistance from local agencies. Following the disaster, there were concerns that the Australian government could have prevented at least some of the floods by following through with a flood mitigation program. Dudley Maslen, the President of The Shire of Carnarvon stated that he did not want to place blame on any agency, though hoped for improvement during the future.Staff Writer Australian Broadcasting Corporation 22 December 2010 14 January 2011 Government warned about flood potential http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/12/21/3098644.htm dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110126082139/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/12/21/3098644.htm 26 January 2011 dmy More than 100 local government areas and regions were declared natural disaster areas on 21 December, encompassing areas from central Western Australia to the Pilbara coastline.David Weber Australian Broadcasting Corporation 21 December 2010 14 January 2011 WA regions declared natural disaster zones http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2010/s3098096.htm live https://web.archive.org/web/20101229163546/http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2010/s3098096.htm 29 December 2010 dmy By January 2011, much of the nation's attention had shifted from the Gascoyne flood to the devastating floods in Queensland. Many residents struggling to get their lives back together were frustrated with the government and demanded aid. Though people affected by the floods were to be given A$15,000 in funds, they expressed further anger after hearing that residents in Queensland would receive A$25,000.Australian Associated Press The Sydney Morning Herald 7 January 2011 15 January 2011 Grower confronts PM over WA flood aid http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/grower-confronts-pm-over-wa-flood-aid-20110107-19i9r.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110109055445/http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/grower-confronts-pm-over-wa-flood-aid-20110107-19i9r.html 9 January 2011 dmy On 11 January, Prime Minister Julia Gillard stated that the imbalance in funds was to be corrected and residents of Western Australia would receive equal amounts to those in Queensland.Nicholas Perpitch and Amos Aikman The Australian 11 January 2011 15 January 2011 West to receive equal aid funds for flood relief https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/nation/west-to-receive-equal-aid-funds-for-flood-relief/news-story/39809562b29a9cb59aef0cb60d7f69ce live https://web.archive.org/web/20110111054303/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/west-to-receive-equal-aid-funds-for-flood-relief/story-e6frg6nf-1225985236721 11 January 2011 subscription dmy By 20 January, donations for flood victims from the Lord Mayor's Distress Relief Fund exceeded A$1 million.City of Perth Government of Australia 20 January 2011 9 February 2011 Gascoyne flood appeal passes million mark http://www.perth.wa.gov.au/web/Media-Centre/?article=514 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110301003000/http://perth.wa.gov.au/web/Media-Centre/?article=514 1 March 2011 dmy Power restoration, especially in Gascoyne Junction, was unusually sluggish. Dozens of residents were without power for eight weeks, as electricity was finally restored between 12 and 13 February. This coincided with the arrival of replacement furniture from Paraburdoo; however, heavy rains renewed flooding and prevented most residents from picking up the supplies.Cristy-Lee Macqueen Australian Broadcasting Corporation 16 February 2011 16 February 2011 Heavy rain may cause further flooding http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2011/02/16/3140492.htm?site=northwestwa live https://web.archive.org/web/20190824063351/http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2011/02/16/3140492.htm?site=northwestwa 24 August 2019 dmy See also Tropical cyclones 2010–11 Australian region cyclone season 2010–11 Queensland floods – catastrophic flooding in Queensland that began around the same time as the Gascoyne flood. Cyclone Olwyn References Gascoyne River flood Gascoyne River flood 2010 Gascoyne Category:Floods in Western Australia Category:Gascoyne 2010 Gascoyne River flood