Claim: The 2010 Gascoyne River flood has affected several towns with one having entire homes were washed away, this comes after water levels reached record values cresting at 51 ft near Fishy Pool.
Evidence: Evacuation orders were issued for several towns affected by rising waters. The most substantial impact was felt in Carnarvon where entire homes were washed away. Water levels reached record values at three stations along the river, cresting at 15.53 m (51.0 ft) near Fishy Pool. During a 24‑hour span on 17 December, a record-shattering 247.6 mm (9.75 in) of rain fell in Carnarvon. By 17 December, the river began to rise in response to the heavy rains, eventually exceeding its banks within two days. Several other locations recorded similar rainfall in the region, also surpassing their annual rainfall totals in under two days. During the five-day span in which there was rainfall, a maximum of 313.6 mm (12.35 in) was measured in Carnarvon. By 19 December, evacuations had taken place in rural parts of Carnarvon, with 200 residents residing in emergency shelters. Two days later, the entire town was evacuated and displaced residents sought refuge in Carnarvon. The most severe losses took place in the horticultural plantations which flank both sides of the river in Carnarvon, and in small communities and stations upriver. Prior to the event, much of the Gascoyne River catchment was suffering from a drought and many places abruptly shifted from drought conditions to record floods in less than 24 hours. Water levels continuously rose through the morning of 19 December, at which time the floods attained their peak. In Fishy Pool, the river reached a record crest of 15.53 m (51.0 ft), surpassing the previous peak of 12.23 m (40.1 ft) in 1980.