Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Initial Flood Watch for parts of western Cape York Peninsula and North Tropical Coast
Issued at 2:01 pm AEST on Monday 2 March 2026

Flood Watch Number: 1

RIVER LEVEL RISES AND FLOODING POSSIBLE ACROSS PARTS OF WESTERN CAPE YORK PENINSULA AND NORTH TROPICAL COAST

A monsoon trough lies over Cape York Peninsula and will linger throughout the week. A weak tropical low 29U has formed along the monsoon trough in the northern Coral Sea. The longer term movement and development of 29U remains uncertain, but is most likely to drift towards the Far North Queensland coast from Wednesday. A second tropical low may develop in the Gulf of Carpentaria or over Cape York Peninsula early this week.

Areas of heavy rainfall have developed in the Flood Watch area this morning. Widespread showers with risk of heavy rainfall will continue for the next few days.

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

Catchments likely to be affected include:

Daintree River

Mossman River

Barron River

Mulgrave and Russell Rivers

Johnstone River

Tully River

Murray River

Black River

Ross and Bohle Rivers

Staaten River

Mitchell River(major flooding occurring in Magnificent Creek)

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 Herbert, Norman, Flinders, and Nicholson and Leichhardt Rivers.

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