Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
for Heavy Rainfall

for parts of Peninsula, North Tropical Coast and Tablelands and Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders Forecast Districts.

Issued at 11:01 pm Saturday, 17 January 2026.

Severe thunderstorms with heavy rainfall over parts of the North Tropical Coast and extending inland to the Northern Goldfields.

Weather Situation
Warm and humid conditions combine with a monsoon trough to produce severe thunderstorms over parts of northern Queensland overnight.

Warnings for Saturday 17 January

HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
Peninsula, North Tropical Coast and Tablelands and Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Mareeba, Cardwell, Tully, Atherton, Mount Garnet and Chillagoe.
Severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in the Gulf Country and Herbert and Lower Burdekin districts and the warning for these districts is CANCELLED.
42 mm of rainfall was recorded at Ravenshoe in the 30 minutes to 10:05 pm.
41 mm of rainfall was recorded at Yammanie Minnamoolka in the 30 minutes to 8:08 pm.
55 mm of rainfall was recorded at Wairuna Road in the 40 minutes to 7:39 pm.
Cancellation for the following areas:
Gulf Country,Herbert and Lower Burdekin

Emergency services advise people to:
* 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 2:05 am.
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 Rainfall

for parts of Peninsula, North Tropical Coast and Tablelands and Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders Forecast Districts.

Issued at 11:01 pm Saturday, 17 January 2026.

Severe thunderstorms with heavy rainfall over parts of the North Tropical Coast and extending inland to the Northern Goldfields.

Weather Situation
Warm and humid conditions combine with a monsoon trough to produce severe thunderstorms over parts of northern Queensland overnight.

Warnings for Saturday 17 January

HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
Peninsula, North Tropical Coast and Tablelands and Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Mareeba, Cardwell, Tully, Atherton, Mount Garnet and Chillagoe.
Severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in the Gulf Country and Herbert and Lower Burdekin districts and the warning for these districts is CANCELLED.
42 mm of rainfall was recorded at Ravenshoe in the 30 minutes to 10:05 pm.
41 mm of rainfall was recorded at Yammanie Minnamoolka in the 30 minutes to 8:08 pm.
55 mm of rainfall was recorded at Wairuna Road in the 40 minutes to 7:39 pm.
Cancellation for the following areas:
Gulf Country,Herbert and Lower Burdekin

Emergency services advise people to:
* 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 2:05 am.
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

Moderate Flood Warning For The Suttor River And Minor Flood Warning For The Cape River
Issued at 09:57 AM AEST on Saturday 17 January 2026
Flood Warning Number: 14

MODERATE FLOODING TO CONTINUE AT ST ANNS OVER THE WEEKEND
MINOR FLOODING OCCURRING AT TAEMAS
Moderate to heavy rainfall has been observed across parts of the Burdekin River catchment since last weekend, with particularly heavy falls over parts of the Belyando and Suttor River catchments. Moderate flooding is likely to continue along the Suttor River at St Anns over the weekend.
Further moderate rainfall has been observed over parts of the Cape River catchment since Wednesday. Minor flooding is occurring along the Cape River at Taemas.
Further rainfall is forecast across parts of the Burdekin River catchment over the next few days. This rainfall may result in further river and creek level rises. This situation is being closely monitored, and this warning will be updated as required.

Belyando and Suttor Rivers to Burdekin Falls Dam:
Moderate flooding is occurring along the Suttor River at St Anns.
The Suttor River at St Anns is currently at 7.46 m and steady, with moderate flooding.
The Suttor River at St Anns is likely to remain above the moderate flood level (6.50 m) over the weekend. Further river level rises are expected as upstream flows arrive and with forecast rainfall.

Cape River to Burdekin Falls Dam:
Minor flooding is occurring along the Cape River at Taemas.
The Cape River at Taemas is currently at 5.41 m and steady, with minor flooding.
The Cape River at Taemas is likely to remain above the minor flood level (5.00 m) for the remainder of Saturday and into Sunday. Further river level rises are possible with forecast rainfall.

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 10:00 AM AEST on Sunday 18 January 2026.

Latest River Heights:
Burdekin River at Mt Fullstop,2.80,steady,9:00 am Sat 17/01/26
Paluma Dam,-0.38,steady,8:41 am Sat 17/01/26
Running River at Mt Bradley,1.60,steady,9:00 am Sat 17/01/26
Star River at Laroona,2.87,steady,9:00 am Sat 17/01/26
Burdekin River at Gainsford,3.78,steady,9:00 am Sat 17/01/26
Keelbottom Creek at Keelbottom,1.63,steady,9:00 am Sat 17/01/26
Burdekin River at Sellheim,3.55,steady,7:00 am Sat 17/01/26
Alpha Creek at Rivington,1.47,falling,6:57 am Sat 17/01/26
Belyando River at Albro Station,7.30,rising,7:45 am Sat 17/01/26
Belyando River at Belyando Crossing,6.61,steady,9:00 am Sat 17/01/26
Suttor River at St Anns,7.46,steady,9:00 am Sat 17/01/26
Cape River at Pentland,2.27,steady,9:00 am Sat 17/01/26
Cape River at Taemas,5.41,steady,7:28 am Sat 17/01/26
Burdekin Dam,1.80,steady,8:40 am Sat 17/01/26
Bowen River at Myuna,4.02,falling,9:00 am Sat 17/01/26
Burdekin River at Dalbeg,7.68,rising,9:43 am Sat 17/01/26
Bogie River at Strathbogie,2.12,rising,7:58 am Sat 17/01/26
Burdekin River at Millaroo,7.20,rising,9:31 am Sat 17/01/26
Burdekin River at Clare,6.50,rising,9:40 am Sat 17/01/26
Burdekin River at Inkerman Bridge,4.85,rising,9:12 am Sat 17/01/26
Burdekin River at Rita Island,-2.25,rising,8:45 am Sat 17/01/26
Burdekin River at Groper Creek,1.59,rising,9:42 am Sat 17/01/26

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.