Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Initial Flood Watch for the western Cape York Peninsula and Gulf of Carpentaria Rivers

Issued at 2:00 pm AEST on Friday 23 January 2026 Flood Watch Number: 1

RENEWED FLOODING POSSIBLE FROM SATURDAY ACROSS WESTERN CAPE YORK PENINSULA, EXTENDING TO GULF CATCHMENTS EARLY NEXT WEEK

A tropical low embedded in the monsoon trough is expected to bring moderate to heavy rainfall across the Flood Watch area over the coming days. Heavier falls may begin to affect western Cape York Peninsula catchments from Friday afternoon, with the potential for rainfall to extend into the Gulf of Carpentaria catchments early next week. The location and timing of the heaviest rainfall will depend on the development and track of the tropical low.

Catchments within the Flood Watch area are wet to saturated following recent rainfall. Elevated river levels and areas of flooding are already occurring in some catchments within the Flood Watch area, and rivers and creeks will likely respond quickly to further rainfall.

Renewed flooding is possible from Saturday and into early next week across the Flood Watch area.

Catchments likely to be affected include:

Settlement Creek

Nicholson River (warning current)

Leichhardt River (warning current)

Upper Flinders River

Lower Flinders River (warning current)

Cloncurry River

Norman River (warning current)

Gilbert River (warning current)

Staaten River

Mitchell River

Coleman and Edward Rivers

Holroyd and Kendall Rivers

Warnings are current for the following catchments: Suttor, Fitzroy, Thomson, Cooper Creek, Barcoo, Diamantina, Georgina, Eyre Creek, Nicholson, Gregory, Albert, Flinders and Norman

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