Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Weather Warning
for Heavy, Locally Intense Rainfall And Damaging Winds

for parts of Gulf Country, North West and Channel Country Forecast Districts.

Issued at 10:31 am Saturday, 21 February 2026.

HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL OVER FAR WESTERN QUEENSLAND THIS WEEKEND.

Weather Situation
A tropical low is located over the Northern Territory border region and is expected to move slowly southward and strengthens over the weekend. Rich tropical moisture is feeding into the system, which will bring a broad chance of heavy to locally intense rainfall, especially on its eastern side over western Queensland. The chance of locally intense rainfall is greatest during the overnight hours.
HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL and DAMAGING WINDS for the following areas:
Gulf Country, North West and Channel Country
HEAVY TO LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is forecast for parts of the North West, Channel Country and far southwestern Gulf Country. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 55 and 90 mm are likely, with localised falls to 140 mm possible. 24-hourly rainfall totals between 100 and 150 mm are likely, with localised falls to 200 mm possible.
DAMAGING WINDS with gusts of about 90 km/h are possible with/near showers and thunderstorms.
These conditions also threaten cattle and other livestock.
Separate Flood Watches and/or Warnings are current at the time of issue. Please refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts/ for more information.
Locations which may be affected include Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Camooweal, Urandangi, Dajarra and Duchess.

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 Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 5:00 pm AEST Saturday.
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 Weather Warning
for Heavy, Locally Intense Rainfall And Damaging Winds

for parts of Gulf Country, North West and Channel Country Forecast Districts.

Issued at 10:31 am Saturday, 21 February 2026.

HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL OVER FAR WESTERN QUEENSLAND THIS WEEKEND.

Weather Situation
A tropical low is located over the Northern Territory border region and is expected to move slowly southward and strengthens over the weekend. Rich tropical moisture is feeding into the system, which will bring a broad chance of heavy to locally intense rainfall, especially on its eastern side over western Queensland. The chance of locally intense rainfall is greatest during the overnight hours.
HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL and DAMAGING WINDS for the following areas:
Gulf Country, North West and Channel Country
HEAVY TO LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is forecast for parts of the North West, Channel Country and far southwestern Gulf Country. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 55 and 90 mm are likely, with localised falls to 140 mm possible. 24-hourly rainfall totals between 100 and 150 mm are likely, with localised falls to 200 mm possible.
DAMAGING WINDS with gusts of about 90 km/h are possible with/near showers and thunderstorms.
These conditions also threaten cattle and other livestock.
Separate Flood Watches and/or Warnings are current at the time of issue. Please refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts/ for more information.
Locations which may be affected include Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Camooweal, Urandangi, Dajarra and Duchess.

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 Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 5:00 pm AEST Saturday.
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

Major Flood Warning For The Flinders River And Minor Flood Warning For The Cloncurry Rivers
Issued at 10:51 AM AEST on Friday 20 February 2026
Flood Warning Number: 10

MAJOR FLOODING POSSIBLE AT RICHMOND POST OFFICE SATURDAY AND AT WALKERS BEND AROUND WEDNESDAY
MINOR FLOODING POSSIBLE AT CLONCURRY FROM FRIDAY EVENING
Recent moderate rainfall over the upper Flinders catchment has caused river level rises in the upper Flinders River. Moderate flooding is estimated to be occurring along the Flinders River at Richmond Post Office, renewed river level rises to the major flood level are possible into Saturday. River level rises are occurring along the Lower Flinders River, where major flooding is possible at Walkers Bend from around Wednesday.
River level rises are occurring along the Cloncurry River following rainfall overnight Thursday into Friday. Minor flooding is possible at Cloncurry during Friday evening.
Further showers and storms are forecast over the next few days, which may cause further river level rises across the catchment.

Flinders River to Richmond:
Major flooding is possible along the Flinders River to Richmond.
No observations are currently available for the Flinders River at Richmond Post Office. Based on the nearby automatic gauge, the river level is estimated to be above the moderate flood level and falling slowly.
Renewed river level rises are possible along the Flinders River at Richmond Post Office. The river may reach around the major flood level (8.00 m) during Saturday as upstream flows arrive.

Flinders River downstream of Richmond:
River level rises are occurring along the Flinders River downstream of Richmond. Major flooding is possible at Walkers Bend.
The Flinders River at Walkers Bend is currently at 3.70 m and rising, below the minor flood level.
The Flinders River at Walkers Bend is likely to exceed the minor flood level (5.00 m) overnight Saturday into Sunday. The river is likely to exceed the moderate flood level (5.30 m) Sunday afternoon. The river may reach around the major flood level (8.00 m) around Wednesday 25 February. Further rises are possible as upstream flows arrive.

Cloncurry River:
Minor flooding is possible along the Cloncurry River.
The Cloncurry River at Cloncurry is currently at 1.91 m and rising, below the minor flood level.
The Cloncurry River at Cloncurry may reach around the minor flood level (3.00 m) Friday evening. Further rises are possible.

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 11:00 AM AEST on Saturday 21 February 2026.

Latest River Heights:
Flinders River at Glendower Crossing,1.88,rising,10:15 am Fri 20/02/26
Porcupine Creek at Mt Emu Plains,2.25,steady,10:00 am Fri 20/02/26
Flinders River at Punchbowl,5.50,steady,10:00 am Fri 20/02/26
Flinders River at Etta Plains,6.63,steady,10:00 am Fri 20/02/26
Julia Creek,1.69,steady,10:00 am Fri 20/02/26
Gilliat River at Wills Development Road,6.65,steady,10:00 am Fri 20/02/26
Cloncurry River at Cloncurry,1.91,rising,10:00 am Fri 20/02/26
Cloncurry River at Canobie,4.44,steady,10:00 am Fri 20/02/26
Flinders River at Walkers Bend,3.70,rising,10:00 am Fri 20/02/26

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.