Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of North Tropical Coast and Tablelands and Herbert and Lower Burdekin Forecast Districts.

Issued at 10:21 am Tuesday, 18 March 2025.

Heavy rainfall developing about parts of northeast Queensland.

Weather Situation: Widespread areas of rain with isolated embedded showers and thunderstorms are occurring about northeastern tropical parts of Queensland. Convergence between a very humid northeasterly flow from the Coral Sea and a southeasterly wind surge pushing up the coast is expected to strengthen during Tuesday. This is expected to increase rainfall about the coast and ranges of the Herbert and Lower Burdekin and far southern parts of the North Tropical Coast for periods from Tuesday afternoon until Wednesday morning.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is expected to develop between Cardwell and Rollingstone from late this morning or early afternoon. This area is expected to extend further south during this evening, including across the Townsville area, and should persist into Wednesday morning. Six-hourly rainfall totals of 120 to 160 mm are likely, with isolated totals to 210 mm possible.

Conditions should ease by late Wednesday morning as the southeasterly wind surge weakens.

Flood Watches and Warnings are current for this area. Please refer to http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings/

Locations which may be affected include Townsville, Palm Island, Ingham, Ayr, Cardwell, Giru, Alva Beach, Woodstock, Rollingstone, Clare and Lucinda.

Emergency services advise people to:
* Park your car undercover away from trees.
* Close doors and windows.
* Keep asthma medications close by. Storms and wind can trigger asthma attacks.
* Charge mobile phones and power banks in case the power goes out.
* Put your pets somewhere safe and make sure they can be identified in case they get lost.
* Do not drive now unless you have to because conditions are dangerous.
* Tell friends, family and neighbours in the area.
* Go inside a strong building now. Stay inside until the storm has passed.