Healthy Waterways   Flood Information

The recent flooding in Queensland is having a devastating impact on people's lives and livelihoods. Unfortunately, the flood will also affected the health of South East Queensland's (SEQ) waterways and Moreton Bay. In this section, you will find:

• flood impacts on waterway health
• what you can do to help  (including a 45 second cartoon)
• flood resources
• flood links (coming soon).

What is a flood?

Floods are a natural, reoccurring process that have historically shaped the landscape of South East Queensland. South East Queensland’s sub-tropical climate makes it prone to weather that can cause flooding. Floods in our region are predominately caused by heavy rainfall, but may also be a result of swollen rivers or tidal surges.

There are two types of flooding that can occur:

• Flash flooding refers to water coming ‘down’ and involves intense rainfall, rapid rise of water levels and high flows of water moving through the catchment.
• River flooding refers to water coming ‘up’ and involves prolonged rainfall and slow rise of water levels.

Sherwood State School. Image courtesy of Heidi Den Ronden.