Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 2:43 pm EST on Wednesday 18 December 2024

Flood Watch Number: 1

LOCALISED HEAVY RAINFALL AND ISOLATED MINOR FLOODING POSSIBLE IN COASTAL AND ADJACENT INLAND AREAS BETWEEN INNISFAIL AND BOWEN (INCLUDING TOWNSVILLE)

A trough offshore of the tropical east coast south of Townsville may drift northward from tomorrow and linger for the following few days. A weak embedded low may form in the trough later this week.

Catchments across the Flood Watch area remain wet from rainfall recorded in recent days.

Widespread daily rainfall totals of 25 - 60 mm on Thursday and 35 - 80 mm on Friday are likely. Localised heavier rainfall totals of 150 mm in 6 hour period are likely, with isolated heavier falls exceeding 200 mm possible.

There is significant uncertainty in the timing and location of the heaviest rainfall, though small coastal catchments may receive the highest rainfall totals. Localised river level rises and flash flooding are likely within the areas of heaviest rainfall, with isolated minor riverine flooding possible. Due to the localised nature of the heavier falls, at this stage it is not possible to be more specific about the areas of highest flood risk.

Catchments likely to be affected include:
Johnstone River

Tully River

Murray River

Herbert River

Black River

Ross and Bohle Rivers

Haughton River

Burdekin River downstream of Burdekin Falls Dam

Don and Proserpine Rivers
(A minor flood warning is current)

A minor flood warning is current for the Don River.

See www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings to view the current flood, weather 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