Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 12:10 pm AEST on Thursday 8 January 2026 Flood Watch Number: 20

MINOR TO MAJOR FLOODING POSSIBLE ACROSS COASTAL RIVERS BETWEEN THE DAINTREE AND PIONEER RIVERS AND THE CAPE YORK PENINSULA

A tropical low in the Coral Sea is expected to deepen on Thursday. Heavy rainfall will intensify near this low pressure system over the next few days.
The areas of heaviest rainfall will depend on the location of the low pressure system.

A trough extends across the northern Cape York Peninsula, and is likely to bring flooding to both Eastern and Western Cape catchments.

Some catchments are wet following recent heavy rainfall and rapid and dangerous river level rises are likely, particularly for the Northern Tropical Coast, and adjacent inland catchments.

Elevated river levels and areas of flooding are already occurring in some catchments across the northern Queensland, with further minor to major flooding likely to develop with rainfall from Thursday.

Catchments south of Ayr are drier and may take longer to respond to rainfall, with possible minor to moderate flooding developing from Saturday.

Catchments likely to be affected include:

Jacky Jacky Creek

Olive and Pascoe Rivers

Lockhart River

Stewart River

Normanby River

Jeannie River

Endeavour River

Daintree River

Mossman River

Barron River

Johnstone River

Tully River

Murray River

Black River (Including Bluewater Creek)

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

Connors, Isaac and Styx Rivers and Plane Creek

Staaten River

Mitchell River

Coleman and Edward Rivers

Holroyd and Kendall Rivers

Archer and Coen Rivers

Watson River

Embley and Mission Rivers

Wenlock River

Ducie, Jackson and Skardon Rivers

Jardine River

Flood Warnings are current for the following catchment(s): Mulgrave and Russell, Herbert, Nicholson, Leichhardt, Upper Flinders, Lower Flinders, Norman, Gilbert, Georgina and Eyre, Diamantina and Thomson

For the latest flood and weather warnings see www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts
For the latest rainfall and river level information see www.bom.gov.au/australia/flood

Safety Advice:
* Don't drive, walk, swim or play in floodwater because it is dangerous.
* Stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways.
* Obey road closure signs. Plan ahead so you don't drive on flooded roads.
* Check the ABC and local media for updates. The situation can change quickly, so stay informed.
* For local emergency management warnings and advice visit www.disaster.qld.gov.au/warnings.

For emergency assistance call SES on telephone number 132 500. In life-threatening emergencies, call 000 (triple zero) immediately.


Rainfall and River Conditions Map