What is the location of the flooding?
As of March 3, 2026, the Southeast Australia Flooding is impacting large parts of Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland.
The flooding is fueled by a record-breaking inland rainfall event, with some towns receiving a full year’s rain in just one week. The Bureau of Meteorology described the event as ‘once in a generation’ and compared the sudden shift from extreme heat (up to 50°C weeks earlier) to intense rainfall as ‘weather whiplash’ (1).
Key rivers and catchments involved include the Lower Murrumbidgee River, Darling River, Cooper Creek, Warburton River, and multiple Victorian catchments such as the Avoca, Loddon, Campaspe and Wimmera systems (2).
Which cities or areas are affected by the flooding?
The following areas have been directly or indirectly impacted by flooding:
- South Australia: Adelaide, Eurelia (where a fatal flash-flooding incident occurred), Yunta (126.8mm in a single day), Ceduna (75mm), Marree (136mm), Innamincka
- New South Wales: Balranald, Broken Hill, Deniliquin, Hay, Menindee, Wentworth
- Victoria: Bendigo, Cohuna, Horsham (126mm in 48 hours), Mildura (nearly 150mm in one week)
- Queensland: Birdsville, Camoola Park, Jundah, Longreach, Retreat, Stonehenge, Windorah
Meteorologists describe the system as a ‘once-in-a-generation’ rainfall event, delivering the heaviest inland rain since 2011. Several desert towns experienced rainfall usually only seen in tropical cities like Darwin or Cairns (3).
What is the current containment status of the flooding?
As of March 3, 2026, the rainfall has intensified, with severe weather warnings expanded across SA, NSW, and Victoria (4).
Flash flooding has become more widespread due to saturated soil and 40–100mm six-hour rainfall bursts. Multiple regions are now experiencing their wettest days on record, pushing several river systems toward major flood levels (5).
Victoria continues to experience minor to moderate flooding, with rainfall maintaining elevated river levels across central, northwest and southwest catchments (6).
Far western New South Wales is facing localized flooding, with wet catchments responding rapidly to new rainfall and some communities at risk of isolation (7).
South Australia is seeing easing conditions around Innamincka, but renewed river level increases are occurring along the Warburton River and across eastern districts where heavy rainfall continues (8).
Queensland is experiencing moderate to major flooding along the Thomson River, Barcoo River and Cooper Creek, with peak flows moving downstream through affected areas.
Authorities continue to refine flood forecasts and closely monitor river gauges across all impacted regions.
Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place?
Although mandatory evacuations remain limited, emergency services are seeing a sharp increase in flood-related incidents.
- Victoria has recorded 392 SES requests, mostly for flooding, fallen trees and property damage.
- 176 of these callouts occurred in the past 24 hours.
- Several vehicles have been trapped in rising water, including a truck stranded on the Barrier Highway.
- South Australia and New South Wales warn that flash flooding may become life-threatening, especially in outback areas where water can rise quickly (9).
- SA continues to issue flood watches and severe weather warnings for heavy rain, flash flooding and dangerous road conditions.
- Communities in far-western NSW are under advisories due to the risk of isolation and limited road access.
- Queensland authorities urge residents near Longreach, Jundah, Stonehenge and Windorah to avoid flooded roads as river levels continue to rise (10).
- Victoria also maintains riverine flood watches across central, northwest and southwest regions, advising the public to stay informed and avoid floodwaters (11).
Across all affected states, residents are urged to stay alert, avoid entering floodwater and follow official emergency instructions.
How can I protect myself from mold after flooding?
It’s important to take steps to prevent mold after a flood.
- Before entering a flooded area, make sure it is safe and free from electrical hazards or structural damage.
- Use protective gear: wear gloves, goggles, and a KN95/FFP2 mask to minimize exposure to mold spores.
- If there is still standing water, remove it as quickly as possible. Use pumps, wet-dry vacuums, or buckets to extract the water.
- Open windows and doors to facilitate air circulation and use fans, dehumidifiers, and HVAC systems to help dry the space. This step is crucial within the first 24-48 hours after flooding to prevent mold growth.
- Remove and discard any items that have been severely damaged by floodwater and cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried. This includes carpets, upholstered furniture, mattresses, and any other porous materials.
- Thoroughly clean all hard surfaces with a detergent or cleaner suitable for mold remediation. Use a solution of 1.5 cups of bleach mixed with one gallon of water to disinfect nonporous surfaces. Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaning products, as the fumes are toxic.
- Maintain an indoor relative humidity (RH) of 35-50%. High humidity promotes mold growth, so consider using dehumidifiers in damp areas.
- Run a high-performance air purifier for mold, both during and after the mold removal work.
- If the flooding and mold damage are extensive, consider contacting professionals specializing in mold remediation to ensure proper cleanup and restoration.
Remember, mold can pose health risks, so it's important to take these steps promptly and thoroughly. If you experience persistent mold-related health issues or have concerns about extensive mold growth, consult with a medical professional or a mold remediation specialist.
