Source: Bureau of Meteorology
Issued at 11:55 am EST on Sunday 21 January 2024
Flood Watch Number: 9
ELEVATED RIVER LEVELS AND FLOODING CONTINUING ACROSS CAPE YORK
PENINSULA AND PARTS OF THE GULF COUNTRY
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 9:00 am
Sunday, rainfall totals up to about 60 mm have been recorded.
Catchments are wet and rivers will respond relatively quickly to
further rainfall.
Showers and thunderstorms with locally heavy falls are likely to
during Sunday and Monday.
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 Country.
Widespread river level rises, isolated minor to moderate flooding,
and impacts to transport routes have been observed within the Flood
Watch area. Flooding is occurring at Kowanyama on Magnificent
Creek, where the river level is just below the major flood level.
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(Minor flooding occurring along the Lower Walker
Ck)
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
21/Jan/2024 02:15 AM