Historical flooding in Brisbane

Historical flood mapping is available for three of Brisbane’s most recent and largest flood events in 1974, 2011 and 2022. Brisbane also experienced three significant floods in February 1893 however these flood events are not included in Council's mapping due to topographical and urbanisation changes. Historical photos are available in the second map. 

Use the interactive historical map to explore the history of river floods in Brisbane. The shaded areas show the estimated extent of each of these floods so you can see how this may relate to your property. Large river floods are rare but may have a greater impact due to the size of the area flooded, depth of water and duration of flooding.

NOTE: A property may show flooding on the Flood Awareness Map even if not affected by 2022, 2011 or 1974 flooding. Council is required to show rarer levels of flooding for awareness and emergency planning. These rare and very rare flood events include 0.2% likelihood (1 in 500 annual chance) and 0.05% likelihood (1 in 2000 annual chance) of flooding.

The February 2022 Brisbane Flood was the result of a weather event that evolved rapidly seeing the Brisbane Local Government Area experience between 400-1100mm of rainfall from 23 to 27 February 2022.

The intense and continued rainfall caused flash flooding of creeks and recurring overland flow flooding across many Brisbane suburbs, exacerbated by fully saturated catchment conditions and elevated Brisbane River/Moreton Bay tailwaters.

The Brisbane River peaked at 3.85 metres AHD at the Brisbane City Gauge (above Major Flooding Level) at around 9am on Monday 28 February 2022. Due to the duration and widespread nature of the 2022 weather event, a greater number of suburbs and properties were impacted than in 2011.

Note: The February 2022 historic flood map does not include impacts from overland flow and tidal flooding.  

Brisbane City Council makes no representations or warranties in relation to the data or the use of the data in the raster surface/flood layer (including accuracy, reliability, completeness, currency or suitability) and accepts no liability whatsoever (in equity, statute or otherwise) for any loss, damage or costs (including consequential damage) in relation to the use of the data howsoever it may arise. 

• This raster surface/flood layer represents an estimate only of peak flood levels for river and creek flooding that occurred in Brisbane in February 2022.
• The raster surface/flood layer does not include any data relating to overland flow or tidal flooding.
• The raster surface/flood layer is provided for general information only, and Council  makes no representations as to its fitness for any particular purpose.
• Any reliance on the data contained in the raster surface is at your own risk.

The January 2011 Brisbane Flood was a result of heavy rainfall caused by Tropical Cyclone Tasha. December 2010 was Queensland's wettest period on record and left the state's river systems at capacity.

The Brisbane River peaked on 13 January at 4.46 metres in the city, and river levels were high for a number of days affecting parts of the Brisbane CBD and inner city suburbs, and southern and western suburbs.

Note: Historical flood information is sourced from the Queensland Government. The Queensland Government's Department of Natural Resources and Mines owns the 1974 and 2011 flood data. The flood extents used in these maps were jointly developed by the Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council. The historical lines are indicative only and have been deliberately blurred as the information has been drawn from multiple sources, including anecdotal evidence and surveyed flood marks. 

The January 2011 flood extent was created using aerial flood imagery that was taken over a number of days between the 13-15 January. This line was verified against digital elevation models and contours (Lidar). The completeness of the data is dependent on image quality and the ability to identify feature details, such as in the Brisbane CBD area due to high rise buildings, areas of heavy vegetation along the riverbanks and low-lying flat areas such as near the mouth of the Brisbane River.

The 1974 Brisbane Flood occurred in January following a wet spring that left most of southern Queensland's river systems at capacity. Cyclone Wanda brought intense rainfall to Brisbane over the Australia Day long weekend forcing the Brisbane River to break its banks. 

The flood occurred before the Wivenhoe Dam was constructed. It peaked at 5.5 metres in the city on 29 January.

The 1893 Brisbane Flood (sometimes referred to as the Black February Flood) is one of the very largest floods recorded in Brisbane’s history. 1893 saw three major floods occur in the same month with a fourth occurring in June of the same year. The floods were triggered by heavy rainfall from multiple tropical cyclones, during a strong La Nina period. The first peak on 5 February reached 8.35 metres AHD while the third peak on 19 February reached 8.09 metres AHD. 

The impacts were widespread with total damage estimated at $4 million (1893 figures), with the Victoria and Albert Bridges destroyed. There were around 35 deaths reported and 190 residents hospitalised. The 1893 floods were one of the main drivers for the construction of Somerset Dam on the Stanley River.

Note: The locations in the following map are generalised and may be close but are not in the exact location.

To find out more about flooding and how to prepare visit  flooding in Brisbane .