Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 1:35 pm EST on Saturday 21 December 2024

Flood Watch Number: 4

LOCALISED HEAVY RAINFALL AND MINOR FLOODING POSSIBLE IN PARTS OF COASTAL CATCHMENTS BETWEEN COOKTOWN AND MACKAY (INCLUDING TOWNSVILLE) FROM LATE SATURDAY AFTERNOON

A tropical low and trough lies over the northeast tropical coast, enhancing rainfall broadly across the Flood Watch area before pushing away further east over the Coral Sea later Saturday.

Catchments across the Flood Watch area are wet from recent rainfall and saturated in parts.

Heavy rainfall has been recorded in parts of the Flood Watch area in the last few days. Widespread daily rainfall totals of 15 - 80 mm are forecast during Saturday, with local heavier falls possible with thunderstorms.

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 minor riverine flooding possible in parts of the Flood Watch area from late Saturday. Due to the localised nature of 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:

Daintree River(including Bloomfield River)

Mossman River

Barron River

Mulgrave and Russell Rivers

Johnstone River

Tully River

Murray River

Herbert River(minor flood warning current)

Black River

Ross and Bohle Rivers(minor flood warning current for Bohle River)

Haughton River(minor flood warning current)

Don and Proserpine Rivers(minor flood warning current for Don River)

Pioneer River(generalised flood warning current)

Flooding is no longer expected in the following catchment: Burdekin River downstream of Burdekin Falls Dam. Flood warnings are current for the Herbert, Bohle, Haughton, Don and Pioneer Rivers.

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