Nambour businesses are counting the cost after floodwaters surged through town, wiping out The Pump House’s stock and bringing Snap Fitness within an inch of disaster.
Nambour Businesses Hit Hard as Floodwaters Surge Through Town
A metre of floodwater surged through Nambour’s town centre, leaving local businesses struggling to recover from one of the worst floods in decades. Among the hardest hit was The Pump House, a well-known irrigation and pumping supplier, which lost more than $500,000 in stock and equipment after Petrie Creek overflowed. Nearby, Snap Fitness Nambour narrowly avoided disaster, with floodwaters stopping just centimetres short of damaging $250,000 worth of new cardio equipment.
Record Rainfall Sparks Widespread Flooding
The Sunshine Coast was battered by record-breaking rainfall, with more than 450mm in Diamond Valley and more than 350mm in Nambour, Woombye, Palmwoods, and Eudlo. Residents say the flood, which hit on Monday morning, was the worst since 1983, when entire streets were flooded and businesses lost significant amounts of money.
Retail manager Adam Richards from The Pump House said he had never seen anything like it. Only days earlier, the store had been sending pumps to Brisbane to help prepare for ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred’s arrival. Now, they’re left assessing the damage as waterlogged stock piles up.
Snap Fitness Dodges a Disaster by Inches
A few blocks away, Snap Fitness Nambour came dangerously close to disaster. Owner Justin Bowie said that just an extra inch of floodwater could have destroyed their recently purchased $250,000 worth of fitness equipment. While the gym was still affected by minor flooding—about 5cm of water inside—the damage was nowhere near as bad as it could have been.
Since flood insurance was too expensive to buy, Bowie and his employees are focusing on the cleanup now. Fortunately, members of the community have come together, with several gym members volunteering to help mop floors, haul away debris, and dry out the building.
Nambour Rallies Together to Rebuild
As the floodwaters recede, businesses and residents in Nambour are banding together to recover. Many locals have compared this flood to past disasters, recalling Ray Grace’s dramatic 1983 rescue, when the car dealer had to be saved from his own rooftop. While the water levels have dropped, the town still faces weeks of repairs and financial losses.
Despite the destruction, businesses like The Pump House and Snap Fitness remain hopeful. The cleanup efforts have already begun, and with strong community support, many are determined to get back on their feet as soon as possible.
Published 11-March-2025