Name 1946 Townsville FloodDescriptionOn the evening of March 2, 1946, a cyclone hit Townsville and surrounding with great force. Flood waters causing significant damage inundated Townsville causing the loss of property and 8 lives.
A Townsville Bulletin reporter found many hermit park residents with as much as 12cm of silt in their homes the day after the flood with more than 15ft deep water reported in some parts of the city. The waters submerged many homes and businesses causing substantial loss and left some residents marooned on their own roof tops awaiting assistance.
Residents were unable to obtain town water due to the submersion of the pumps which line the bank of the ross river.
Waters were so strong there was a report of a Townsville wooden house lifted whole bodily off its blocks in Sherriff-street, carried it complete with four occupants, a man, his wife and 2 children, Threequarters of a mile down the street and deposited it on a vacant allotment. DateBetween 2nd March 1946 and 5th March 1946Geolocation[1]
1946 Townsville Flood (Between 2nd March 1946 and 5th March 1946). Townsville City Council, accessed 18/04/2026, https://stories.townsville.qld.gov.au/nodes/view/19991