Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 11:31 am EST on Friday 19 January 2024

Flood Watch Number: 7

ELEVATED RIVER LEVELS AND FLOODING OCCURRING ACROSS CAPE YORK PENINSULA AND PARTS OF GULF OF CARPENTARIA

The monsoon trough extends across the southern Gulf of Carpentaria coast, the base of Cape York Peninsula, and into the Coral Sea and will continue to persist for several days.

Moderate to locally heavy rainfall has been observed across the Flood Watch area over the last few days. In the 24 hours to 9 am Friday, rainfall totals up to about 100 mm have been recorded, with an isolated 166 mm at Mt Surprise. Catchments are wet and rivers will respond relatively quickly to further rainfall.

Showers and thunderstorms with locally heavy falls are likely to continue over the next few days.

Abnormally high tides are also forecast along the Gulf of Carpentaria coast and through the Torres Strait for several days, with sea levels potentially exceeding the highest tide of the year.

River level rises are likely to continue and further riverine flooding is possible within the Flood Watch area for the next few days, particularly across western parts of the Peninsula Forecast District, as well as in isolated catchments in Eastern Cape York Peninsula, and parts of the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Widespread river level rises, isolated minor to moderate flooding, and impacts to transport routes have been observed within the Flood Watch area. Further localised flooding, isolation of communities, and disruption to transport routes is possible within the Flood Watch area over the next few days.

Catchments likely to be affected include:

Norman River
Gilbert River(Minor flooding occurring at Miranda Downs Station)
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(Moderate flooding occurring at Kowanyama)
Staaten River
Olive and Pascoe Rivers(Flooding of roads and crossings observed)
Lockhart River(Flooding of roads and crossings observed)
Normanby River

See www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings to view the current flood 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