In April 2025 heavy rainfall in Southwest Queensland caused water to enter South Australia's far north-east via Thomson, Barcoo, Diamantina, Warburton, and Cooper Creek catchments.
Floodwaters caused impacts to the township of Innamincka and several station homesteads.
The Inland River Flood (SA) freight subsidy is a targeted program for primary producers located within the 2025 Inland River Flood scar who have incurred significant extra transport or freight costs associated with the management of animal welfare as a result of the 2025 flooding event.
Eligible primary producers may apply for one grant per primary production business for 50% of the total eligible transport or freight costs, up to a maximum of $5,000 (ex GST).
Eligible activities are:
- mustering of livestock (cattle) on the property at the time of the flood for safety reasons
- transport of fodder or water for livestock resulting from the impact of flood waters
- transport of livestock, fencing, equipment or machinery associated with animal welfare.
Impacted primary producers will receive direct communication from the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) on how to apply for the subsidy.
For more information, visit PIRSA's Inland River Flood (SA) freight subsidy web page here (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site).external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site)
The Australian and South Australian Governments activated Primary Producer Recovery Grants of up to $75,000 for eligible primary producers who have suffered direct damage from the flood event. This assistance will help cover the costs of clean-up, repairs, and rebuilding efforts for affected farming operations.
Impacted primary producers will receive direct communication from the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) on how to apply for the recovery grant.
For more information, visit PIRSA's Inland River Flood (SA) Primary Producer Recovery Grant web page here (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site).
The Australian and South Australian Governments activated a Community Recovery Fund to support locally-led recovery initiatives, including assistance for restoration and repair of community facilities, funding for a range of community activities and initiatives for affected small businesses.
For more information on the Community Recovery Fund view the Community Recovery Fund Guidelines (PDF, 296.1 KB).
Community Recovery Fund applications closed on 27 October 2025.
For information regarding National Parks closures and alerts, visit the National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia website (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site).
During and after a flood, there are increased risks to health and safety. The main health risks while in flood-impacted areas include:
- injuries, including those caused by falls, skin cuts and lacerations, and snake and spider bites
- nose, throat and ear infections
- skin and wound infections
- dermatitis, conjunctivitis and ear, nose and throat infections
- diarrhoeal diseases
- mosquito-borne infections
- gastrointestinal (gastro) infections
- drowning.
For information on how to stay safe and healthy during and after a flood, visit the SA Health website. (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site)
Water quality
If residents have any queries or concerns regarding water quality in the area, please contact the South Australian Health Water Quality Branch on 08 8226 7100.
Mental health
The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) has a dedicated mental health team with the capacity to visit Innamincka and provide telephone or telehealth support. This service can be accessed during standard business hours on 08 8648 9500.
The Regional Access Program is a telephone and online chat service that can be accessed 24 hours, seven days a week. To access this service, call 1300 032 186 or visit the Regional Access website (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site).
The Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) is continuing to monitor the water levels at critical flood way locations and are proactively carrying out road assessments on the unsealed road network for consideration to reopen.
For the latest, up-to-date information on road closures impacted by the floodwaters please visit DIT’s Outback Roads website (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site).
If you need emergency flood assistance, call the South Australian State Emergency Service (SASES) at 132 500. For life-threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000).
For information on how to plan and prepare for floods before, during and after the event, visit the SASES website. (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site)
The flood event may expose or impact Aboriginal heritage. This may include Aboriginal objects (artefacts), ancestral skeletal remains and scarred (canoe) trees.
Potential human remains
If you find anything that looks like human skeletal remains, do not touch or disturb them.
Call the police on 131 444. If safe to do so, protect and secure the area until police can attend.
The police will determine whether they are Aboriginal ancestral remains.
Aboriginal sites or objects
If you discover an Aboriginal site or object, you must stop any activity around it.
Leave everything in place and contact Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation (AAR):
- Phone: (08) 8429 9406
- Email: aar.conservation@sa.gov.au including the location and photographs.
Floods cause devastation in many ways, and present a unique set of challenges. Pests, diseases, and contamination can easily occur, bringing long-term issues to properties and compromising animal health.
For information regarding livestock, crop, soil and land care visit the PIRSA website (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site).