Source: Bureau of Meteorology
Issued at 11:39 am EST on Tuesday 23 January 2024
Flood Watch Number: 11
ELEVATED RIVER LEVELS AND FLOODING CONTINUING ACROSS CAPE YORK
PENINSULA AND PARTS OF THE GULF COUNTRY
A trough extends across the Gulf Country, the base of Cape York
Peninsula, and into the Coral Sea and is expected to contract
northwards over the Gulf of Carpentaria and Peninsula during
Tuesday and Wednesday.
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
Tuesday, rainfall totals up to about 160 mm have been recorded in
the northern Peninsula Forecast District. Catchments are wet and
rivers will respond relatively quickly to further rainfall.
Showers and thunderstorms with locally heavy falls are likely
during Tuesday and Wednesday.
Abnormally high tides have been observed along the Gulf of
Carpentaria coast and through the Torres Strait. High tides are
forecast to ease over the next few days.
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 and northern parts of the
Peninsula Forecast District 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. Major flooding is occurring at Kowanyama on Magnificent
Creek. 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:
Gilbert River (Moderate 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 (Major 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
A Minor Flood Warning is current for the Norman River (included in
previous Flood Watch).
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
23/Jan/2024 02:14 AM