What caused the 2010–11 Queensland floods?
Q: What caused the 2010–11 Queensland floods?
A: The floods were caused by heavy rain from tropical cyclone "Tasha" that joined with a trough during a La Niña event. La Niña is an unusual weather pattern, which brings wet weather to eastern Australia. The 2010 La Niña was the strongest since 1973, causing heavy rainfall across Queensland.
Q: How many towns and people were affected in Queensland?
A: At least 70 towns and 200,000 people were affected in Queensland. Three-quarters of the state of Queensland has been declared a disaster zone.
Q: How many people died as a result of the floods?
A: The 2010–2011 floods have killed 35 people across Queensland since November and 14 are still missing. More than 20 people have died in flash floods between Brisbane and Toowoomba.
Q: What other effects did the flooding have on local communities?
A: The floods forced thousands of people to leave their homes, closed 300 roads including nine major highways, flooded Coal railway lines and mine sites, caused fruit and vegetable prices to rise as crops were destroyed, led to an increase in snakes seeking safety on higher ground or in houses with people, allowed saltwater crocodiles and sharks to be seen in some flooded areas of towns.
Q: What records were set due to this event?
A: December 2010 was recorded as the wettest on record for 107 places getting their highest rainfalls ever; it was also recorded as the state's wettest spring since 1900 and Australia's third wettest year overall.
Q: Was there any warning about these extreme weather conditions before they occurred?
A: Yes - warnings had been issued about potential flooding due to unusually strong La Niña conditions bringing wet weather to eastern Australia.
