Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
for Heavy, Locally Intense Rainfall

for parts of North Tropical Coast and Tablelands Forecast District.

Issued at 7:04 pm Saturday, 3 January 2026.

INTENSE RAINFALL ALONG PARTS OF THE NORTH TROPICAL COAST.

Weather Situation
Slow moving showers and thunderstorms continuing this afternoon in a very moist tropical airmass.
HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL for the following areas:
North Tropical Coast and Tablelands
VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS are likely to produce heavy, locally intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Innisfail and Babinda.
77 mm OF RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT COWLEY BEACH IN THE 30 MINUTES TO 6:45 PM.
61 mm of rainfall was recorded at Archers Creek in 1 hour to 4:19 pm.
60 mm of rainfall was recorded at Dutton River in 1 hour to 4:15 pm.
Cancellation for the following areas:
Central West,Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders

Emergency services advise people to:
* If you have children make sure they are with you or an adult you trust.
* Park your car undercover away from trees.
* Close doors and windows.
* Keep asthma medications close by. Storms and wind can trigger asthma attacks.
* Charge mobile phones and power banks in case the power goes out.
* Put your pets somewhere safe and make sure they can be identified in case they get lost.
* Do not drive now unless you have to because conditions are dangerous.
* Tell friends, family and neighbours in the area.
* Go inside a strong building now. Stay inside until the storm has passed.

The next warning is due to be issued by 10:05 pm.
Check https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts. Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and emergency services would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
for Heavy, Locally Intense Rainfall

for parts of North Tropical Coast and Tablelands Forecast District.

Issued at 7:04 pm Saturday, 3 January 2026.

INTENSE RAINFALL ALONG PARTS OF THE NORTH TROPICAL COAST.

Weather Situation
Slow moving showers and thunderstorms continuing this afternoon in a very moist tropical airmass.
HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL for the following areas:
North Tropical Coast and Tablelands
VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS are likely to produce heavy, locally intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Innisfail and Babinda.
77 mm OF RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT COWLEY BEACH IN THE 30 MINUTES TO 6:45 PM.
61 mm of rainfall was recorded at Archers Creek in 1 hour to 4:19 pm.
60 mm of rainfall was recorded at Dutton River in 1 hour to 4:15 pm.
Cancellation for the following areas:
Central West,Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders

Emergency services advise people to:
* If you have children make sure they are with you or an adult you trust.
* Park your car undercover away from trees.
* Close doors and windows.
* Keep asthma medications close by. Storms and wind can trigger asthma attacks.
* Charge mobile phones and power banks in case the power goes out.
* Put your pets somewhere safe and make sure they can be identified in case they get lost.
* Do not drive now unless you have to because conditions are dangerous.
* Tell friends, family and neighbours in the area.
* Go inside a strong building now. Stay inside until the storm has passed.

The next warning is due to be issued by 10:05 pm.
Check https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts. Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and emergency services would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, National Water Operations

Minor Flood Warning For The Herbert River
Issued at 01:21 PM AEST on Saturday 03 January 2026
Flood Warning Number: 9

MINOR FLOODING OCCURRING AT HALIFAX
MINOR FLOODING POSSIBLE AT GLENEAGLE FROM LATER SATURDAY INTO SUNDAY
MINOR FLOODING IS EASING AT ABERGOWRIE BRIDGE
Moderate to heavy rainfall since early last week has caused river level rises across the Herbert catchment, with minor flooding possible along the upper Herbert River at Gleneagle from later Saturday. Further moderate to heavy rainfall since Friday afternoon along the lower Herbert River has resulted in an initial minor flood peak at Abergowrie Bridge on Saturday morning and minor flooding at Halifax. Flooding is not expected at Ingham Pump Station and Gairloch at this stage.
Further moderate to heavy rainfall is forecast for the remainder of the weekend, with renewed river level rises possible across the catchment. This situation is being closely monitored, and this warning will be updated as required.
A Flood Watch is current for adjoining catchments.

Herbert River to Nash's Crossing:
Minor flooding is possible along the Herbert River at Gleneagle.
No observations are currently available for the Herbert River at Gleneagle Homestead. Based on the nearby automatic gauge, river levels are expected to be below the minor flood level and rising slowly.
The Herbert River at Gleneagle Homestead may reach around the minor flood level (4.50 m) from later Saturday into Sunday. Further rises are possible with forecast rain.

Herbert River downstream of Nash's Crossing:
Minor flooding occurring along the Herbert River at Halifax.
The Herbert River at Abergowrie Bridge peaked at 6.12 metres around 09:00 am Saturday 3 January, and is currently at 5.82 m and falling, below the minor flood level.
The Herbert River at Abergowrie Bridge may remain around the minor flood level (6.00 m) for the remainder of Saturday.

The Herbert River at Halifax is currently at 4.21 m and rising, with minor flooding.
The Herbert River at Halifax may reach around 4.40 m Saturday afternoon, with minor flooding. The river may remain above the minor flood level (4.00 m) Sunday morning.

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.

Next issue:
The next warning will be issued by 12:30 PM AEST on Sunday 04 January 2026.

Latest River Heights:
Wild River at Silver Valley,2.48,steady,12:00 pm Sat 03/01/26
Rudd Creek at Gunnawarra,4.46,rising,12:00 pm Sat 03/01/26
Herbert River at Gleneagle,3.15,steady,12:00 pm Sat 03/01/26
Blencoe Creek at Blencoe Falls,2.78,steady,12:00 pm Sat 03/01/26
Herbert River at Nash's Crossing,1.75,falling,1:04 pm Sat 03/01/26
Herbert River at Zattas,1.90,falling,12:36 pm Sat 03/01/26
Herbert River at Abergowrie,5.26,falling,12:15 pm Sat 03/01/26
Herbert River at Abergowrie Bridge,5.82,falling,1:03 pm Sat 03/01/26
Stone River at Peacock Siding,4.40,falling,1:11 pm Sat 03/01/26
Herbert River at Trebonne,7.90,falling,12:40 pm Sat 03/01/26
Herbert River at Ingham Pump Station,8.14,rising,1:09 pm Sat 03/01/26
Herbert River at Gairloch,7.79,rising,12:30 pm Sat 03/01/26
Herbert River at Halifax,4.21,rising,1:04 pm Sat 03/01/26
Lucinda Offshore Tide,2.15,falling,1:08 pm Sat 03/01/26

This advice is also available by dialling 1300 659 219. Warning, rainfall and river information are available at http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/flood.