Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 1:41 pm EST on Thursday 19 December 2024

Flood Watch Number: 2

LOCALISED HEAVY RAINFALL AND MINOR FLOODING LIKELY IN PARTS OF COASTAL CATCHMENTS BETWEEN COOKTOWN AND MACKAY (INCLUDING TOWNSVILLE) FROM THURSDAY NIGHT

ISOLATED MODERATE-MAJOR FLOODING POSSIBLE IN AREAS OF HEAVIEST RAINFALL FROM FRIDAY ONWARDS

A trough and weak low pressure system will lie near the Queensland coast for the remainder of the week. This trough will draw deep tropical moisture over the coast for the next few days, with rainfall heaviest from Cooktown to Mackay over the next few days.

Catchments across the Flood Watch area are wet from recent rainfall and approaching saturation in parts.

Widespread daily rainfall totals of 35 - 80 mm are likely on Friday. Localised heavier rainfall totals of 150 mm in a 6 hour period are likely during Friday, with isolated heavier falls exceeding 220 mm possible. Rainfall totals may ease slightly on Saturday, with likely widespread totals of 30 - 60 mm.

There is significant uncertainty in the timing and location of the heaviest rainfall, though small coastal catchments may receive the highest rainfall totals. Localised river level rises and flash flooding are likely within the areas of heaviest rainfall, with minor riverine flooding likely in parts of the Flood Watch area from Thursday night. Isolated moderate to major flooding may be possible in the areas of heaviest rainfall from Friday onwards. Due to the localised nature of the heavier falls, at this stage it is not possible to be more specific about the areas of highest flood risk.

Catchments likely to be affected include:

Daintree River(including Bloomfield River)

Mossman River

Barron River

Mulgrave and Russell Rivers

Johnstone River

Tully River

Murray River

Herbert River

Black River

Ross and Bohle Rivers

Haughton River

Burdekin River downstream of Burdekin Falls Dam

Don and Proserpine Rivers(minor flood warning current for Don River)

Pioneer River

A minor flood warning is current for the Don River.

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