Queensland Flooding Rescues After Tropical Cyclone Koji’s Devastating Landfall

Cyclone Koji Strikes North Queensland and Triggers Widespread Flooding

Tropical Cyclone Koji made landfall on 11 January 2026 between Ayr and Bowen in northern Queensland, bringing heavy rainfall, damaging winds and major flood threats to swathes of coastal and inland communities. Although the system weakened quickly to a tropical low after crossing the coast, the intense downpours and swollen rivers have caused significant flooding around Mackay, the Whitsundays and neighbouring regions, prompting large-scale rescue efforts by emergency services.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) recorded rainfall totals of up to 291 mm in just six hours at parts of Mount William and even heavier downpours elsewhere, creating flash flooding and a heightened risk of life-threatening inundation as the ex-cyclone slowly moved inland.

Flooding Forces Dramatic Rescues Across the Region

Queensland’s State Emergency Service (SES), police, volunteer rescue teams and paramedics have been at the forefront of dramatic operations to save residents and visitors cut off by rising waters.

In coastal areas near Cannonvale and Pigeon Island, individuals had to abandon boats that were taking on water as flood surges swept across harbours and shorelines; emergency crews brought them ashore safely without serious injury.

Further inland, two adults and five children were evacuated from a residence at Finch Hatton, where water levels rose rapidly around their home. In another incident, a woman and two young children were trapped after following outdated GPS directions into a flooded area; they escaped and reached higher ground to summon help, highlighting the danger of floodwaters even on familiar rural roads.

Authorities have repeatedly warned people not to drive through or enter floodwaters, using the slogan: “If it’s flooded, forget it,” to emphasise the unpredictability and lethality of moving water.

Roads, Infrastructure and Community Disruption

Major flood warnings remain in effect for multiple river systems, including the Herbert River, Haughton River and Pioneer River, where catchments are swollen from the storm’s deluge.

Transportation infrastructure has been severely affected: airports in Mackay and Bowen were closed, while roads across the region were cut due to deep standing water, fallen trees and debris. Rail lines and local roads have been made impassable in many flood-affected communities, complicating both day-to-day travel and emergency response.

Power outages have also been widespread, with tens of thousands of homes losing electricity in the first 24 hours after Koji’s landfall. These outages have raised concerns for households reliant on electrically powered medical equipment and for communication infrastructure in affected towns.

Government and Emergency Services Mobilise Resources

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli underscored that a coordinated, multi-agency response was under way, with swift-water rescue craft, SES officers, police and paramedics positioned strategically to respond to emergencies. Officials stressed that the region was “better prepared than ever” but cautioned that flood risks would continue for days as catchments remain saturated.

Local disaster management groups directed residents in impacted areas to move to higher ground when floods escalated, and evacuation centres have been established to shelter those displaced from their homes.

Community Solidarity and Volunteer Efforts

In towns from Mackay to Proserpine and the Whitsundays, community members have joined emergency services in offering assistance where possible. Volunteers have helped with sandbagging, checking on elderly neighbours, distributing supplies and providing transport for those unable to leave flood-affected properties. Such grassroots efforts have been widely praised by local leaders as crucial to keeping residents safe amid rapidly shifting weather conditions.

Challenges from Telecommunications Outages

Amid the chaos of flooding, communication systems in parts of Townsville and surrounding suburbs were disrupted when suspected copper theft severed mobile and internet cables, exacerbating an already difficult situation for emergency communication. Queensland Premier Crisafulli condemned the act, saying the timing could have serious safety consequences for those in need of help.

Telecommunications restoration crews have been working around the clock to restore connectivity, which is critical for receiving emergency alerts and coordinating rescue efforts, especially in isolated communities cut off by floodwaters.

Ongoing Rainfall and Flood Risks Ahead

Even as Koji weakens, the weather threat is not over. The BoM forecasts continued heavy rainfall, possible flash flooding and rising rivers for areas further inland and downstream of the original landfall zone. Residents have been urged to monitor local flood dashboards and heed official warnings, as conditions remain volatile.

In places like Ingham, Bowen and parts of inland Queensland, significant rain totals above 200 mm are expected as systems move westward, prolonging the flood threat well into the week.

Economic and Environmental Impacts

Beyond the immediate rescue operations, the floods threaten to disrupt agricultural activity, with early assessments pointing to potential losses of livestock and damage to crops. Farmers and graziers in flood-prone areas are bracing for the dual blows of saturated fields and infrastructure damage.

Local authorities are already planning damage assessments and recovery assistance, while federal disaster support will likely be mobilised to help affected communities rebuild and recover in the aftermath.

Learning from Past Events

Queensland has a long history of responding to cyclone-related flooding and knows how rapidly conditions can deteriorate. Previous events have shown the importance of early evacuation, community readiness and the coordination of civilian and official rescue efforts — lessons that are being applied in real time as Koji’s impact unfolds.

Conclusion: Queensland’s Response to a Major Weather Event

Tropical Cyclone Koji’s landfall and the ensuing floods have tested northern Queensland’s emergency capability and community resilience. While damage assessments continue and weather conditions evolve, the collective response — from government agencies to local volunteers — demonstrates the priority placed on saving lives and mitigating harm.

Officials continue to urge residents to stay informed, remain vigilant and avoid taking unnecessary risks around floodwaters, even as rescue teams and disaster support networks remain fully engaged in what is shaping up to be a significant flood crisis in Queensland’s 2026 summer storm season.