Queensland weather Archives

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.

*Photo Credit: Facebook/Bitesize Bliss – Cafe Nambour*

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

What started as a heavy downpour turned into a life-threatening emergency in Chevallum, where floodwaters swallowed roads and left motorists clinging to their vehicles.

Rising Waters Trap Motorists in Chevallum as Emergency Rescues Unfold

Chevallum on the Sunshine Coast was a picture of rescue and urgency with flash flooding immobilizing drivers and flooding roads. Emergency services were called to a number of locations after heavy rain caused sudden water rises, trapping people in vehicles and cutting major roads off.

The wild weather, having intensified overnight on March 10, dumped more than 350mm of rain on parts of the Sunshine Coast, causing swift-water rescues. Two men were part of the group to be rescued after they had been stranded on Chevallum Road in Palmwoods, as floodwaters swept through unexpectedly.

Residents Left Isolated as Roads Go Under

Authorities directed residents to stay indoors since several roads connecting and leading to Chevallum were rendered impassable. Disaster response officials in the area attested that hundreds of roads across the Sunshine Coast region were closed, further restricting movement.

Sunshine Coast Council had earlier sent alerts to ask people to prepare for severe weather, but the severity of the deluge was that several residents were left unprepared. Chevallum, known for its rural homes and green landscapes, saw creeks running into each other, making some properties difficult to reach.

Calls for Caution as Recovery Begins

Although the storm’s worst is over, officials are urging individuals to remain cautious. The roads are still unstable in some areas, and emergency responders are still out attempting to assess damage. The Queensland Disaster Management unit cautioned against non-essential travel and warned of possible secondary flooding due to waterlogged ground conditions.

Power outages have also struck hundreds of homes in the region, with residents without electricity while crews work to restore power. Local businesses in Chevallum and surrounding suburbs are assessing water damage, with clean-up to continue for days.

Authorities remind the public to avoid floodwaters, which may contain debris and contaminants, and to stay updated through official emergency channels. Residents are encouraged to report any dangerous conditions, as the region braces for potential after-effects of the extreme weather event.