Water levels reached record values at three stations along the river, cresting at 15.53 m (51.0 ft) near Fishy Pool.

[4] According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Carnarvon Airport measured its wettest month on record, with 255 mm (10.0 in) of rain falling in just four days.

[1] Prior to the arrival of the monsoon low, the Bureau of Meteorology issued a flood watch for the Gascoyne River catchment on 15 December, stating that 150 to 200 mm (5.9 to 7.9 in) of rain could fall over the following 72 hours.

[1] During the torrential downpours, the Gascoyne River began to rise on 17 December, threatening to flood several towns along its banks.

[1] Once the river overflowed its banks, flood waters spread through vast agricultural and grazing areas, severely damaging crops and killing an estimated two thousand head of cattle.

[10] Large portions of the North West Coastal Highway were shut down due to flooding for several days, hindering travel in the region.

[13] 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.

[1] By 20 December, arrangements for the delivery of emergency food and water supplies were made and expected to reach Carnarvon later that day.

Dudley Maslen, the President of The Shire of Carnarvon stated that he did not want to place blame on any agency, though hoped for improvement during the future.

[16] On 11 January, Prime Minister Julia Gillard stated that the imbalance in funds was to be corrected and residents of Western Australia would receive equal amounts to those in Queensland.

[17] By 20 January, donations for flood victims from the Lord Mayor's Distress Relief Fund exceeded A$1 million.

This coincided with the arrival of replacement furniture from Paraburdoo; however, heavy rains renewed flooding and prevented most residents from picking up the supplies.