Nambour on Alert: Flood-Hit Town Braces for a Wild Wet Season
After being smashed by repeated flooding just eight months ago, the heart of Nambour is once again bracing for what could be an intense and potentially dangerous wet season.
Back in March, ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred unleashed 365mm of rain in a single day, sending water surging through the CBD. What followed was a brutal few weeks: another 300mm across four days later that month, and 200mm more on April 25.
Many locals say it was the worst they had seen in decades.
Sunshine Coast Councillor David Law said the triple hit “had a big impact on businesses and households,” with 75 businesses directly flooded and 137 more indirectly affected. Some shops took months to reopen; others relocated or shut their doors for good.
Now, with the Bureau of Meteorology warning of a higher-than-normal risk of severe weather this summer, the community is preparing early — and seriously.
How Nambour is Getting Ready
Council recently hosted two Get Ready sessions to help residents and business owners plan for future events. Locals received:
Detailed flood mapping
Advice on emergency plans and kits
Practical design tips from James Davidson Architects on how to minimise damage
Flood-resilient building choices — like replacing the first metre of plasterboard with waterproof materials, elevating electrical equipment, and improving clean-out designs — were hot topics.
“You can’t stop the water — but you can prepare”
Councillor Law noted that while floods can’t be prevented, smart decisions can reduce their impact.
“After the March event, many realised they could rebuild with materials that can be washed out instead of fully replaced,” he said.
“For things like pumps, compressors and electrical gear — get them up high. A small change now can save thousands later.”
Recovery Support and What’s Ahead
Ex-TC Alfred is estimated to have cost $1.2 billion statewide, with around $19 million in reconstruction costs earmarked for the Sunshine Coast. Support packages — including disaster payments, business grants and the Community Relief Fund — helped families and local operators get back on their feet.
But authorities warn that now is not the time to relax. The Queensland Reconstruction Authority is urging all residents to plan, prepare and stay alert as storms begin to build.
How You Can Prepare
Visit Get Ready Queensland
Subscribe to BOM weather alerts
Check the Sunshine Coast Disaster Dashboard for real-time updates
Review your home or business flood plan now — not later
Nambour has already proven its resilience once this year. With the community better informed and better prepared, locals are determined to face whatever this summer throws at them.
Stay safe, stay ready, and look out for your neighbours.
