The 1921 Deluge

In 1921, residents between Rowlands Creek and St Columba’s Catholic Church faced a serious crisis when rising waters forced every householder to evacuate. Three houses were completely swept away by the powerful current. Two others were lifted bodily by the floodwaters, eventually coming to rest against a neighbouring home – both houses and their contents suffered severe damage.

One of the most striking sights was a house being carried past the Uki Butter Factory with a lamp still glowing in one of its rooms. The occupants had managed to rescue some possessions before the waters arrived, but the flood rose so quickly that further salvage became impossible.

The following day revealed the aftermath: pictures hanging from trees and clothing draped over branches, as people walked the riverbanks searching for their scattered belongings.

The 1954 and 1956 Floods: A Community Responds

After the back-to-back floods of 1954 and 1956 washed away homes near the Catholic Church, residents made the practical decision to relocate. The remaining houses were moved to higher ground – a sensible adaptation to the recurring flood risk.

Jim Stewart, who lived near Sweetnam Park, found himself and his family surrounded by rising waters. When one daughter began to panic, quick-thinking Jim employed his dairy’s flying fox (normally used for transporting cream to the road) as an emergency rescue system. One by one, he pulled his family to safety on the hillside. His timing was fortunate – shortly after the final journey, he watched as his home disappeared in the swirling waters below.

The 2017 Flood: Cyclone Debbie’s Impact

On 30th March 2017, Cyclone Debbie’s remnants brought heavy rainfall to the region. The waters rose throughout the night, reaching significant heights by morning. Three houses at the end of Rotten Row on Kyogle Road were affected by the floodwaters, while residents nearest the Rowlands Creek Bridge needed to be evacuated, clinging to ropes strung across the house for safety.

Brendan Esposito of the Tinker’s Cuss marked the new high-water line on the shed behind the Uki general store, noting it measured approximately two feet above the previous records from 1954/56. At its peak, water had just started to reach the verandah of the new Mount Warning Hotel.

The 2022 Twin Floods: Breaking Records

The 2022 twin floods broke all previous village records within just 28 days of each other. We’re currently collecting stories from these recent events and will be updating this account soon.

Do you have flood stories or photos to share? We’d love to include your experiences in our historical record. Please contact us at the Historical Society.