Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in Herbert and Lower Burdekin and parts of Peninsula, Gulf Country, North Tropical Coast and Tablelands and Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders Forecast Districts.

Issued at 10:43 am Monday, 10 February 2025.

Heavy to locally intense rainfall across northern Queensland early this week.

Weather Situation: Significant rainfall continues about northern Queensland until early Wednesday, with a low over the Gulf Country embedded in the monsoon trough, expected to move slowly southeast over the Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders into Tuesday. Enhanced rainfall due to widespread showers and isolated embedded thunderstorms is possible early this week, with extremely wet soils and river catchments leading to a higher than normal vulnerability to flash flooding.

For the Gulf Country, southern Peninsula, Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders:

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is forecast during Monday and Tuesday. LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL is possible overnight into Tuesday, most likely over the Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 120 to 150 mm are possible. Isolated 24-hourly rainfall totals up to 250 mm are possible.

For the North Tropical Coast and Herbert and Lower Burdekin:

Potential for stronger showers and thunderstorms to produce localised HEAVY to INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING, most likely developing overnight into Tuesday. Broader areas of HEAVY RAINFALL are then forecast to develop later on Monday and into Tuesday. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 120 to 180 mm are possible during Monday, and could increase further up to 250 mm on Tuesday morning. Isolated 24-hourly rainfall totals up to 220 mm are possible, with up to 300 mm possible into Tuesday.

A separate Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued if very dangerous thunderstorms with intense rainfall are detected.

Rainfall is forecast to ease across the warning area from early Wednesday morning.

Heavy rainfall increases the potential for landslides and debris across roads.

A Flood Watch and various Flood Warnings are current for parts of Queensland. Please refer to http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings for more information.

Locations which may be affected include Townsville, Georgetown, Palm Island, Ingham, Croydon and Kowanyama.

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.