Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Flood Watch Number: 22

MINOR TO MAJOR FLOODING POSSIBLE ACROSS COASTAL RIVERS BETWEEN COOKTOWN TO ROCKHAMPTON AND THE CAPE YORK PENINSULA

A tropical low is developing in the Coral Sea, and is likely to cross the coast between Cairns and Ayr late Saturday or early Sunday. The low is now forecast to reach tropical cyclone intensity prior to reaching the coast. However, rainfall impacts are likely to be similar whether or not it becomes a tropical cyclone. 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, and will be primarily south of the centre.

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

Many catchments are wet to saturated 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 northern Queensland, with further minor to major flooding likely to develop with rainfall from Friday and into the weekend.

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

A Severe Weather Warning for heavy, locally intense rainfall is current for parts of the Flood Watch area. A Tropical Cyclone Advice is current for parts of the Flood Watch area.

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(Including Bloomfield River)
Mossman River
Barron River
Murray River
Belyando and Suttor Rivers to Burdekin Falls Dam
Cape River to Burdekin Falls Dam
Don and Proserpine Rivers
Pioneer River
Connors, Isaac and Styx Rivers and Plane Creek
Mackenzie and Fitzroy Rivers and Shoalwater and Water Park Creeks
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): Daintree, Mulgrave and Russell, Johnstone, Tully, Herbert, Black, Ross and Bohle, Haughton, Burdekin to Burdekin Falls Dam, Burdekin downstream of Burdekin Falls Dam, 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