Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 4:43 pm Friday, 31 January 2025.

HEAVY FALLS LIKELY OVER NORTHEAST QUEENSLAND FROM THIS EVENING AND OVER THE WEEKEND, WITH POSSIBLE INTENSE FALLS.

Weather situation: a low offshore of the Northern Queensland Coast is bringing bands of showers and rain onto the coast on its southern flank today, with this rainfall forecast to increase over the weekend as the system stalls along the coast. Very significant rainfall accumulations are expected over the weekend due to the slow-moving nature of the system.

Locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS and LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is possible between Townsville and just south of Innisfail from this evening, becoming more likely over the weekend, with isolated 6 hour totals possibly reaching 230-280mm. There is uncertainty as to exactly where the heaviest falls will occur.

Elsewhere in the warning area HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is possible from this evening and will become more likely over the weekend. 6 hourly rainfall totals between 100 to 180mm are likely, with isolated totals possibly reaching up to 220mm.

24 hour rainfall totals of 200-300mm are also likely over the broader warning area, with isolated falls of up to 500mm.

STRONG TO DAMAGING WINDS averaging 50-65 km/h with peak gust to around 90 km/h are also possible from Saturday afternoon for the islands and coastal strip between Innisfail and Townsville.

The potential for heavy, locally intense rainfall and damaging winds may continue into early next week.

Various flood warnings and watches are in place over Northeast Queensland. See www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings/

Locations which may be affected include Townsville, Palm Island, Ingham, Innisfail, Ayr, Home Hill, Cardwell, Tully, Giru, Ravenshoe and Lucinda.

234.0 mm of rainfall was observed at North Ward in the 6 hours to 4:30 pm.

225.0 mm of rainfall was observed at Deeragun in the 6 hours to 4:30 pm.

209.0 mm of rainfall was observed at Saunders Creek in the 6 hours to 4:30 pm.

207.0 mm of rainfall was observed at Stony Creek in the 6 hours to 4:30 pm.

199.0 mm of rainfall was observed at The Lakes in the 6 hours to 4:30 pm.

189.0 mm of rainfall was observed at Whites Creek in the 6 hours to 4:30 pm.

172.0 mm of rainfall was observed at Upper Stuart Creek in the 6 hours to 4:13 pm.

166.0 mm of rainfall was observed at Upper Major Creek in the 6 hours to 3:16 pm

Emergency services advise people to:
* If you have children make sure they are with you or an adult you trust.
* 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.