Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Flood Watch for Coastal Rivers between Cooktown to Rockhampton and the Cape York Peninsula
Issued at 12:10 pm AEST on Saturday 10 January 2026

Flood Watch Number: 23

MINOR TO MAJOR FLOODING POSSIBLE ACROSS COASTAL RIVERS BETWEEN COOKTOWN TO ROCKHAMPTON AND THE CAPE YORK PENINSULA

Tropical low 12U, in the western Coral Sea, is expected to cross the Townsville coast on Sunday morning, possibly as a tropical cyclone. Heavy to locally intense rainfall is forecast over northeast Queensland, primarily around and south of the system. Heavy rainfall will extend further south on Sunday, becoming more isolated from Monday.

Further north, isolated heavy rainfall is also possible across northern Cape York Peninsula during Saturday. Some elevated river levels are likely across Cape York Peninsula catchments

Many catchments are wet to saturated following recent heavy rainfall and rapid and dangerous river level rises are likely, particularly for the Northern Tropical Coast, and adjacent inland catchments.

Elevated river levels and areas of flooding are already occurring in some catchments across northern Queensland, with further minor to major flooding likely to develop with rainfall during the remainder of Saturday and into Sunday.

A Severe Weather Warning for heavy, locally intense rainfall is current for parts of the Flood Watch area. A Tropical Cyclone Advice is current for parts of the Flood Watch area.

Catchments likely to be affected include:

Jacky Jacky Creek

Olive and Pascoe Rivers

Lockhart River

Stewart River

Normanby River

Jeannie River

Endeavour River

Daintree River(Including Bloomfield River)

Mossman River

Barron River

Murray River

Belyando and Suttor Rivers to Burdekin Falls Dam

Cape River to Burdekin Falls Dam

Pioneer River

Connors, Isaac and Styx Rivers and Plane Creek

Mackenzie and Fitzroy Rivers and Shoalwater and Water Park Creeks

Staaten River

Mitchell River

Coleman and Edward Rivers

Holroyd and Kendall Rivers

Archer and Coen Rivers

Watson River

Embley and Mission Rivers

Wenlock River

Ducie, Jackson and Skardon Rivers

Jardine River

Flood warnings are current for the following catchment(s) : Daintree, Mulgrave and Russell, Tully, Herbert, Ross, Bohle, Black, Haughton, Upper Burdekin, Lower Burdekin, Don, Upper Flinders, Lower Flinders, Norman, Gilbert, Georgina and Eyre, Diamantina and Thomson

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