Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 12:31 pm EST on Thursday 25 January 2024

Flood Watch Number: 13

ELEVATED RIVER LEVELS AND FLOODING CONTINUING ACROSS CAPE YORK PENINSULA

The equatorial trough extends across the northern Cape York Peninsula and into the Coral Sea and will persist over the next few days.

Significant rainfall has now mostly eased across the Flood Watch area, however rainfall and showers are still occurring in the far north of the Peninsula. Catchments are wet and rivers will respond relatively quickly to further rainfall.

Showers and possible thunderstorms are forecast for the remainder of the week, mostly across the north of the Peninsula.

Major flooding is beginning to ease at Kowanyama on Magnificent Creek. Localised flooding, isolation of communities, and disruption to transport routes is likely to continue within the Flood Watch area over the next few days.

A separate Flood Watch for coastal and adjacent inland catchments between Tully and Airlie Beach, and parts of the Central West and Gulf Catchments is current for impacts associated with the tropical low developing in the Coral Sea.

Catchments likely to be affected include:
Jardine River

Ducie, Jackson and Skardon Rivers

Wenlock River

Embley and Mission Rivers

Watson River

Archer and Coen Rivers

Holroyd and Kendall Rivers

Coleman and Edward Rivers

Mitchell River
(Major flooding occurring at Kowanyama)

Staaten River

Olive and Pascoe Rivers
(Flooding of roads and crossings observed)

Lockhart River
(Flooding of roads and crossings observed)

Normanby River

The Gilbert River, with the risk for upper parts of the catchment, has now been included in the separate Flood Watch for coastal and adjacent inland catchments between Tully and Airlie Beach, and parts of the Central West and Gulf Catchments for the developing tropical low. River levels along the Gilbert River at Miranda Downs are easing in the lower part of the catchment.

See www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings to view the current flood and cyclone products 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