Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Flood Watch for parts of the Cape York Peninsula, Gulf of Carpentaria and North East Coastal Rivers

Issued at 1:05 pm AEST on Tuesday 27 January 2026 Flood Watch Number: 6

HEAVY RAINFALL AND RIVER LEVEL RISES OCCURRING ACROSS PARTS OF THE CAPE YORK PENINSULA INCREASED FLOODING POSSIBLE IN NORTHERN QUEENSLAND OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS

A trough extends over the Gulf Country and the North Tropical Coast and will drift slowly north over the next few days. On the east coast, areas of moderate to locally heavy rainfall should contract north of Townsville this evening and north of Cairns during Wednesday. In the Gulf Country and western Peninsula, moderate to heavy rainfall may persist for several days as the trough lingers.

Catchments in northern Queensland remain wet to saturated with areas of flooding already occurring following recent rainfall. Further rainfall may result in rapid river level rises and flooding across the Flood Watch area.

Catchments likely to be affected include:

Stewart River
Normanby River
Jeannie River
Endeavour River
Daintree River (including Bloomfield River)
Mossman River
Barron River
Mulgrave and Russell Rivers
Johnstone River
Black River
Ross and Bohle Rivers (minor warning current for the Bohle River)
Haughton River
Settlement Creek
Leichhardt River
Cloncurry River
Staaten River
Mitchell River (moderate flooding is occurring along
Magnificent Creek at Kowanyama)
Coleman and Edward Rivers
Holroyd and Kendall Rivers

Flood warnings are current for the following catchment(s) : Tully, Murray, Herbert, Bohle, Nicholson, Upper Flinders, Lower Flinders, Norman and Gilbert

For the latest flood and weather warnings see www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts
For the latest rainfall and river level information see www.bom.gov.au/australia/flood

Safety Advice:
* Don't drive, walk, swim or play in floodwater because it is dangerous.
* Stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways.
* Obey road closure signs. Plan ahead so you don't drive on flooded roads.
* Check the ABC and local media for updates. The situation can change quickly, so stay informed.
* For local emergency management warnings and advice visit www.disaster.qld.gov.au/warnings.

For emergency assistance call SES on telephone number 132 500. In life-threatening emergencies, call 000 (triple zero) immediately.


Rainfall and River Conditions Map