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