Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 2:38 pm EST on Monday 22 January 2024

Flood Watch Number: 1

MINOR TO MAJOR FLOODING LIKELY TO DEVELOP FROM THURSDAY

A tropical low in the northern Coral Sea is likely to develop into a Tropical Cyclone during Tuesday and move towards the Queensland coast over the next few days.

Widespread heavy to locally intense rainfall is likely across the Flood Watch area from late Wednesday. As the Tropical Cyclone approaches the coast, abnormally high tides are likely.

There is potential for heavy rainfall to extend further south and inland, including to South East Queensland catchments later in the week, depending on the movement of the weather system. The area covered by the Flood Watch will be reassessed and updated daily based on the latest rainfall and storm surge forecasts.

Catchments across the North Tropical Coast are wet following rainfall over recent weeks, whilst catchments further south in the Flood Watch area are moderately dry.

Widespread rainfall is likely in the Flood Watch area from overnight Wednesday into Thursday. The heaviest rainfall is forecast during Thursday and Friday.

Refer to the Tropical Cyclone Advice for the latest information on the developing tropical cyclone.

River level rises, including widespread minor to major riverine flooding, is possible from Thursday. In addition, localised flooding, including flash flooding, is likely. Flooding is also likely to result in disruption to transport routes and isolation of some communities.

Catchments likely to be affected include:

Tully River
Murray River
Herbert River(Major flood warning current due to recent rainfall)
Black River
Ross and Bohle Rivers
Haughton River
Belyando and Suttor Rivers to Burdekin Falls Dam
Cape River to Burdekin Falls Dam
Burdekin River to Burdekin Falls Dam
Burdekin River downstream of Burdekin Falls Dam
Don and Proserpine Rivers
Pioneer River
Comet and Nogoa Rivers
Connors, Isaac and Styx Rivers and Plane Creek

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