Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 12:10 pm AEST on Friday 30 January 2026 Flood Watch Number: 10

RIVER LEVEL RISES AND FLOODING OCCURRING ACROSS PARTS OF THE CAPE YORK PENINSULA AND GULF COUNTRY FURTHER FLOODING POSSIBLE OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS

Tropical Low 18U is forecast to linger over the Northern Territory or the Gulf of Carpentaria for a day or two, enhancing rainfall and winds over northwestern Queensland. Moderate to heavy rainfall may persist in the Gulf Country and Cape York Peninsula for a few days. The location of the heaviest falls is dependent on the movement of the tropical low.

Catchments across the Flood Watch area 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 over the next few days.

Catchments likely to be affected include:

Lockhart River

Stewart River

Normanby River

Jeannie River

Endeavour River

Settlement Creek

Leichhardt River

Upper Flinders River

Cloncurry River

Staaten River

Mitchell River

Coleman and Edward Rivers

Holroyd and Kendall Rivers

Archer and Coen Rivers

Watson River

Embley and Mission Rivers

Wenlock River

Flood warnings are current for the following catchment(s) : Nicholson, Gregory, Albert, Lower Flinders, Norman, Gilbert, Georgina and Eyre, Diamantina, Thomson, Barcoo and Cooper

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