QLD worst natural disasters of past 20 years revealed in photos

From harrowing bushfires to devastating floods, Queensland is no stranger to disaster. We’ve compiled some incredible images showing Mother Nature’s power. MEGA GALLERY.

Wild weather ripped a $2.5bn hole out of the economy in early-2022 and another tempestuous summer could be on its way.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s tropical cyclone outlook for 2022-23 is forecasting an above average number of cyclones this season.

Senior meteorologist Harry Clark said there was a “good chance of seeing more than four (tropical cyclones) this season”.

SCROLL DOWN FOR FULL GALLERY OF SUMMER DISASTERS

Mr Clark said the climate outlook was still predicting above average rainfall this summer, but signs were for a less intense wet season than last year.

“La Nina is weakening pretty quickly,” Mr Clark said, tipping a return to neutral by January or February, 2023.

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The southeast was tipped to be slightly cooler than usual, while the north and west of the state were forecast to experience above average summer temperatures.

The outlook came as the state continues to rebuild after a damaging 2021-22 summer.

The Courier-Mail reported earlier this year Deloitte had estimated the human and social costs of the floods which rolled from February to March to be about $4.5bn, with homes and commercial businesses copping about $2.5bn worth of damage.

We’ve taken a look back at the wild weather events that have rocked a Queensland summer over the past 20 years.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE IMAGES:

CYCLONE OSWALD, 2013:

Wild weather hits the Sunshine Coast as the weather system remaining from ex-tropical cyclone Oswald moves south.

Locals watch giant Waves crash into the breakwater at Redcliffe.

Locals collect sandbags, for use if needed later in the day, in Sandgate.

Members of the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service, in a boat, check on the condition and safety of affected houses in Milton.

The beach at Horseshoe Bay suffered beach erosion problems because of the strong winds and high tides from ex-tropical cyclone Oswald.

People in a boat negotiate flood water and debris in Bundaberg, Queensland, Monday, Jan. 28, 2013. Picture: AAP/Dan Peled

A catamaran is washed up during heavy seas in Cannonvale near Airlie Beach in the Whitsundays in Queensland. Picture: AAP

Torrential rain produced widespread volumes of run off in Gladstone. Picture: Murray Ware

Homes are inundated with floodwater in East Bundaberg, Queensland, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013. Picture: AAP

Homes are inundated with floodwater on Fairymead Road in Bundaberg. Picture: AAP

Heavy rain from ex cyclone Oswald caused a big washout along part of the Bruce Highway at roadworks at Cardwell. Cardwell resident Les Harris looks at the damage – a collapsed section of road in Cardwell's main street. A crater almost 2m deep has occurred following heavy rain.

University students sit outside their rental property in Torwood street, in the inner city suburb of Rosalie in Brisbane. Picture: AAP/Dave Hunt

The John Muntz Causeway over the Coomera River is flooded. Picture: Adam Head

The Burleigh Beach Pavilion has been damaged and is being inundated with sea water. Picture: Adam Head

Burleigh Beach has become a sea of foam. Picture: Adam Head

Spectators at Burleigh get covered by water. Picture: Adam Head

A huge pile of water damaged furniture and white goods at Bajool after flash flooding ripped through the small town south of Rockhampton. Picture: Chris Ison

Wild weather hits the Sunshine Coast as the weather system remaining from ex-tropical cyclone Oswald moves south. Wind batters a boat at the boat ramp next to Caloundra Power Boat Club, Golden Beach. Picture: Barb Blewitt

Residents inspect damage caused by floods in North Bundaberg. Picture: AAP/Paul Beutel

Residents evacuate in East Bundaberg, Queensland, Tuesday, January 29, 2013. Picture: AAP

PEREGIAN BUSHFIRES, 2019:

Green shoots are seen sprouting from bushfire affected trees at Peregian Beach on the Sunshine Coast, Tuesday, January 15, 2020. The area's of Peregian Beach and Peregian Breeze Estate were badly affected by a bushfire in September 2019. Picture: AAP/Darren England

An innocent victim of the Peregian bushfires. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England

An aerial view shows the bushfire impacting Cooroibah and Tewantin, Queensland, Friday, November 8, 2019. Picture: AAP Image/Rob Maccoll

A helicopter works to contain a bushfire at the southern end of Peregian Beach on the border with Coolum Beach, Queensland. Picture: AAP Image/Rob Maccoll

Peregian Beach after bushfires. Picture: Nearmap

Rural Fire Service Firefighters Scott Brooks, (1st Officer, Valdora,) Mark Smith, (Officer, Doonan), and Peter Garrett, (1st Officer, Maroochy River) in burnt out scrub just off David Low Way where they fought a fierce battle against a raging bushfire on Monday night and saved the township of Peregian Beach. Picture: Lachie Millard

A rural firefighter is seen at the Peregian Springs Control in Peregian Springs, Queensland, Thursday, September 12, 2019. Relieved residents of some bushfire-affected Sunshine Coast suburbs have been allowed to return home after being evacuated on Monday. Picture: AAP Image/Rob Maccoll

Rural firefighters are seen at the Peregian Springs Control in Peregian Springs, Queensland, Thursday, September 12, 2019. Picture: AAP Image/Rob Maccoll

Burnt-out bushland is seen in Peregian Beach, Queensland, Wednesday, September 11, 2019. Picture: AAP Image/Rob Maccoll

Helicopters taking on water to waterbomb the fire. The waterbombing at the Weyba Downs area, adjacent to Peregian Springs, Peregian Spring Golf Course. Picture: Ian Martin

Fire cuts Sunshine Motorway at Peregian Springs.

Water bombing Helicopter tackles the thick smoke of an out of control bushfire travelling from Peregian Beach towards Weyba Downs. Picture: Lachie Millard

Firefighters take a break from working to contain a bushfire at the southern end of Peregian Beach on the border with Coolum Beach, Queensland, Wednesday, October 23, 2019. The fire started north of the Coolum High school and travelled north towards the beach. Picture: AAP Image/Rob Maccoll

Helicopters taking on water to waterbomb the fire. The waterbombing at the Weyba Downs area, adjacent to Peregian Springs, Peregian Spring Golf Course. Picture: Ian Martin

Burnt-out bushland is seen in Peregian Beach, Queensland, Wednesday, September 11, 2019. Relieved residents of some bushfire-affected Sunshine Coast suburbs have been allowed to return home after being evacuated on Monday. Picture: AAP Image/Rob Maccoll

BINNA BURRA LODGE/LAMINGTON NATIONAL PARK BUSHFIRES, 2019:

Bina Burra Lodge chairman Steve Noakes looks over the property which although having bounced back, still bears the scars. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Binna Burra Lodge's Steve Noakes has been left devastated by the destruction of the once picturesque lodge which now lays in ruins. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Binna Burra Lodge's Steve Noakes was left devastated by the destruction of the once picturesque lodge which now lays in ruins.

Binna Burra Lodge was left in ruins in 2019.

Binna Burra Lodge.

The ruins of the lodge.

The heritage-listed site was destroyed.

Smoke spiralling across the Scenic Rim. Picture: Adam Head

Minister Cameron Dick, Assistant Commissioner Kevin Walsh, Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen, and Steve Noakes from Binna Burra Lodge visit there burnt out site of the Binna Burra Lodge. Picture: Adam Head

Aerial pictures over Binna Burra where visibility made it impossible to see the burn Binna Burra lodge. Picture: Adam Heads

Minister Cameron Dick, Assistant Commissioner Kevin Walsh, Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen, and Steve Noakes from Binna Burra Lodge visit there burnt out site of the Binna Burra Lodge. Picture: Adam Head

Ruins of Binna Burra Lodge after bushfires devastated the hinterlands. Picture: Kirstin Payne

Binna Burra Mountain Lodge historical.

Sky Lodges at Binna Burra along with Binna Burra Lodge has been burnt down during fires burning in the Gold Coast and Scenic Rim mountain ranges.

Binna Burra Mountain lodge burnt by bushfire. Picture: Supplied Channel 7

Binna Burra Mountain lodge burnt by bushfire. Picture: Supplied Channel 7

QUEENSLAND FLOODS, 2010-2011:

The CBD of Ipswich west of Brisbane is inundated by flood waters Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011. Picture: AAP Image/Dave Hunt

A light aircraft sits damaged after being swept away in flood waters in Grantham, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011. Picture: AAP Image/Dave Hunt

A house is completely submerged by flood waters west of Brisbane. Picture: AAP Image/Dave Hunt

Suncorp Stadium is flooded. Picture: AAP Image/Dave Hunt

The Ulster Hotel in the CBD of Ipswich west of Brisbane is inundated by flood waters. Picture: AAP Image/Dave Hunt

SES flood boat crew Darren McMullen (L) and Jeff Lindsay (R) patrol through the flooded Pelican Street in North Ipswich.

Bremmer Waters is totally flooded at Ipswich. Picture: Bruce Long

North Ipswich residents Martin Lowe (l) and his son Kurt (r) inspect the flooded Pelican and Canning Street's in North Ipswich. Picture: Patrick Hamilton

Tourists photograph the flooded Limestone Street in Central Ipswich. Picture-Patrick Hamilton

The clean up begins on Limestone Street, Ipswich on Thursday after flood water subsided. Picture: Sarah Harvey

Barry Adams of Woodend used this dingy to help his family move possessions and themselves to higher ground on Leslie Street at East Ipswich. Picture: David Nielsen

Residents and volunteers work together to clean up the homes and streets of the West End area of Brisbane.

The swollen Brisbane River inundates the inner city suburb of East Brisbane. Picture: AAP Image/Dave Hunt

Flood affected residents at the QE-2 Flood Evacuation centre at Nathan in Brisbane. Picture: AAP Image/Tony Phillips

Video still of inundated land and damaged cars and property after flash flood hit city of Toowoomba. Picture: 9 News

Gold Coast resident Aleaysha Burney helping with the flood clean up at Brisbane Tce, Goodna on Saturday. Picture: Sarah Harvey

Large boat called Balek at Graceville has washed up quite a distance from the river. Picture: Liam Kidston

Tracey Graham of Walloon and her daughter Ashleigh, 4, enjoyed the view of the Brisbane River at Chuwar. Picture: David Nielsen

To escape the rising flood waters Forest Hill residents walk towards a Sea King helicopter to be then evacuated to Gatton. Picture: Petty Officer Damian Pawlenko

Soldiers from 8th/9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, conduct a ground search for survivors or deceased persons along Rocky Creek in Postmans Ridge, at the base of the Toowoomba range. Picture Petty Officer Damian Pawlenko

CYCLONE BENI, 2003:

Mitchell Matthews (13) with a tree uprooted in Rockhampton by winds caused by Cyclone Beni.

Rain from Cyclone Beni hits the Mackay region. Picture: Rob Maccoll

Kirra's surf's up thanks to the swell from Cyclone Beni. Picture: Terry Kavanagh

High Winds due to Cyclone Beni bring huge surfing conditions to the Gold Coast. Surfer in action at Burleigh Heads. Picture: Adam Ward

Rockhampton floods. Picture: Rob Maccoll

High Winds due to cyclone Beni bring huge surfing conditions to the Gold Coast. Huge wave hangs over Snapper Rocks. Picture: Adam Ward

Fred Naylor leaning against the remains of his pool table, surveys the damage to his home at Kabra, south of Rockhampton. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

The remains of floodwaters south of Rockhampton.

Floodwater close the Kalbra road. Picture: Rob Maccoll

(L-R) Elise Cooper 13, Siobahn Davey 9, and Sian Cooper 11 at Snapper Rocks dodge the spray from breaking waves. Picture: Adam Ward

Originally published as QLD worst natural disasters of past 20 years revealed in photos