Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 12:35 pm EST on Saturday 16 March 2024

Flood Watch Number: 5

FLOODING LIKELY ACROSS PARTS OF THE CAPE YORK PENINSULA FROM SUNDAY AND PARTS OF THE NORTH TROPICAL COAST FROM OVERNIGHT SATURDAY

FLOODING LIKELY ACROSS PARTS OF THE GULF COUNTRY FROM SUNDAY

A monsoon trough extends across the Gulf of Carpentaria and northern Cape York Peninsula. The trough will persist for several days and will move southwards today, tomorrow and into early next week, enhancing rainfall over parts of northern and Far North Queensland. A tropical low moving through the central Gulf of Carpentaria will drift southward over the weekend with further development likely, before moving inland over the southern Gulf coast west of the Northern Territory and Queensland border early next week.

Catchments within the Flood Watch area are relatively wet. Many rivers and creeks are elevated following recent rainfall and are expected to respond quickly to the forecast heavy rainfall.

Abnormally high tides are expected along the Gulf Coast during the weekend and into next week.

Localised heavy falls with thunderstorm activity and moderate widespread rainfall is forecast for parts of the Cape York Peninsula, Gulf of Carpentaria, Thursday Island, and into the North Tropical Coast over the next few days.

River level rises and Minor to Moderate riverine flooding are likely, with isolated Major flooding possible within the Flood Watch area.

Localised flooding, isolation of communities and disruption to transport routes are possible within the Flood Watch area over the next few days.

Catchments likely to be affected include:

Settlement Creek
Nicholson River
Leichhardt River
Upper Flinders River
Lower Flinders River
Cloncurry River
Norman River
Gilbert River
Jardine River
Ducie, Jackson and Skardon Rivers
Wenlock River
Embley and Mission Rivers
Watson River
Archer and Coen Rivers
Holroyd and Kendall Rivers
Coleman and Edward Rivers
Mitchell River(including Magnificent Creek - Kowanyama)
Staaten River
Jacky Jacky Creek
Olive and Pascoe Rivers
Lockhart River
Stewart River
Normanby River(including the Laura River)
Jeannie River
Endeavour River(including the Annan River)
Daintree River(Including Bloomfield River)
Mossman River
Barron River
Mulgrave and Russell Rivers
Johnstone River
Tully River
Murray River
Herbert River

See www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings to view the current flood, weather and cyclone products for Queensland.

For more information on the Flood Watch Service: http://www.bom.gov.au/water/floods/floodWarningServices.shtml

Flood Safety Advice:
This Flood Watch means that people living or working along rivers and creeks should monitor the latest weather forecasts and warnings.

Remember: If it's flooded, forget it.

For flood emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.

For life threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

Current emergency information is available at www.qld.gov.au/alerts.

This advice is also available by dialling 1300 659 219 at a low call cost of 27.5 cents, more from mobile, public and satellite phones.

Warning, rainfall and river information are available at www.bom.gov.au/qld/flood/

Rainfall and River Conditions Map