Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 11:23 am AEST on Saturday 31 January 2026 Flood Watch Number: 11

RIVER LEVEL RISES AND FLOODING OCCURRING ACROSS PARTS OF THE CAPE YORK PENINSULA AND GULF COUNTRY FURTHER FLOODING POSSIBLE OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS

Moderate to heavy rainfall is possible about the Gulf Country and Cape York Peninsula over the next few days due to Tropical Low 18U and a trough that extends east from the system. The most widespread rainfall is expected along and on the southern side of the low as it tracks to the west, with more isolated heavy falls with thunderstorms elsewhere along the trough. Further inland, showers and thunderstorms may redevelop across the upper Flinders and Cloncurry Rivers from Monday.

Catchments across the Flood Watch area remain wet to saturated with areas of flooding already occurring following recent rainfall. Further rainfall may result in rapid river level rises and flooding across the Flood Watch area over the next few days.

Catchments likely to be affected include:

Lockhart River

Stewart River

Normanby River

Jeannie River

Endeavour River

Settlement Creek

Leichhardt River

Upper Flinders River

Cloncurry River

Staaten River

Mitchell River (Minor flooding is occurring along
Magnificent Creek at Kowanyama)

Coleman and Edward Rivers

Holroyd and Kendall Rivers

Archer and Coen Rivers

Watson River

Embley and Mission Rivers

Wenlock River

Flood warnings are current for the following catchment(s) : Nicholson, Gregory, Albert, Lower Flinders, Norman, Gilbert, Georgina and Eyre, Diamantina, Thomson, Barcoo and Cooper

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