Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 12:39 pm EST on Friday 26 January 2024

Flood Watch Number: 6

MINOR TO MAJOR FLOODING POSSIBLE FOR CENTRAL WEST QUEENSLAND AND THE GULF OF CARPENTARIA CATCHMENTS DURING FRIDAY AND ACROSS THE WEEKEND

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily crossed the coast to the north of Townsville and is now sitting inland and moving west during Friday and across the weekend.

Widespread heavy to locally intense rainfall is likely across the Flood Watch area during Friday and across the weekend as the system tracks further inland.

The area covered by the Flood Watch will be reassessed and updated daily based on the latest rainfall forecasts.

Catchments across parts of the Gulf of Carpentaria including the Norman and Gilbert catchments, are wetting up following rainfall over recent days and weeks. Catchments further south and inland within the Flood Watch area are drier.

Widespread rainfall is likely within the Flood Watch area for the remainder of Friday, extending inland over the coming days. Widespread daily rainfall totals of 100 - 130 mm with isolated higher totals of 180 mm are forecast for the next few days.

Refer to the Severe Weather Warning Advice for heavy, locally intense rainfall associated with the movement of the Tropical Low.

River level rises, including minor to major riverine flooding, are possible across parts of the Flood Watch area. The flood risk will extend further inland over the weekend as the rainfall tracks inland.

Localised flooding, including flash flooding, is likely. Flooding is likely to result in disruption to transport routes and isolation of some communities.

Catchments likely to be affected include:

Nicholson River
Leichhardt River
Upper Flinders River(Flood warning current)
Lower Flinders River(Flood warning current)
Cloncurry River(Flood warning current)
Norman River(Flood warning current)
Gilbert River(Flood warning current)
Thomson River
Diamantina River(Flood warning current)
Georgina River and Eyre Creek

Flooding is no longer expected in the following catchments: Tully River, Murray River, Herbert River, Black River, Ross and Bohle Rivers, Haughton River, Burdekin River to Burdekin Falls Dam, Cape River to Burdekin Falls Dam, Burdekin River downstream of Burdekin Falls Dam, Don and Proserpine Rivers.

See www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings to view the current flood warnings for Queensland.

For more information on the Flood Watch Service: http://www.bom.gov.au/water/floods/floodWarningServices.shtml

Flood Safety Advice:
This Flood Watch means that people living or working along rivers and creeks should monitor the latest weather forecasts and warnings.

Remember: If it's flooded, forget it.

For flood emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.

For life threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

Current emergency information is available at www.qld.gov.au/alerts.

This advice is also available by dialling 1300 659 219 at a low call cost of 27.5 cents, more from mobile, public and satellite phones.

Warning, rainfall and river information are available at www.bom.gov.au/qld/flood/

Rainfall and River Conditions Map