Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, National Water Operations

Major Flood Warning For The Flinders River And Moderate Flood Warning For The Cloncurry River
Issued at 03:56 PM AEST on Wednesday 31 December 2025
Flood Warning Number: 12

MAJOR FLOODING POSSIBLE AT RICHMOND FROM THURSDAY EVENING WITH FORECAST RAINFALL
MAJOR FLOODING RISING SLOWLY AT WALKERS BEND
Recent rainfall has caused river and creek level rises and flooding across the Flinders and Cloncurry catchments. Further areas of moderate to heavy rainfall are forecast to affect parts of the catchments over the next few days, with river and creek level rises likely to continue.
Moderate flooding is expected to be occurring at Richmond, with rises to around the major flood level possible from Thursday evening with forecast rainfall. Renewed moderate flooding is possible at Cloncurry overnight Wednesday into Thursday with forecast rainfall. Downstream, major flooding at Walkers Bend is expected to continue rising slowly well into next week as upstream floodwaters continue to arrive.
A Severe Weather Warning is current for Heavy Rainfall for parts of North West Queensland, including parts of the Flinders and Cloncurry catchments.

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 expected to be above the moderate flood level (6.00 m) and relatively steady.
With forecast rainfall, renewed river level rises are possible along the Flinders River at Richmond Post Office from early Thursday. The river level may reach around the major flood level (8.00 m) from Thursday evening.

Flinders River downstream of Richmond:
Major flooding is occurring along the Flinders River downstream of Richmond.
The Flinders River at Walkers Bend is currently at 9.61 m and rising slowly, with major flooding.
The Flinders River at Walkers Bend is expected to remain above the major flood level (8.00 m) well into next week, with slow rises continuing as upstream flows arrive.

Cloncurry River:
Renewed moderate flooding is possible along the Cloncurry River.
The Cloncurry River at Cloncurry is currently at 4.82 m and falling, with minor flooding.
Renewed river level rises are possible along the Cloncurry River at Cloncurry with forecast rainfall. The river level may reach around the moderate flood level (5.00 m) overnight Wednesday into Thursday.

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 Thursday 01 January 2026.

Latest River Heights:
Flinders River at Glendower Crossing,1.32,falling,3:00 pm Wed 31/12/25
Porcupine Creek at Mt Emu Plains,1.76,steady,3:00 pm Wed 31/12/25
Flinders River at Punchbowl,5.97,steady,3:00 pm Wed 31/12/25
Flinders River at Etta Plains,10.13,rising,3:00 pm Wed 31/12/25
Julia Creek,3.96,falling,3:00 pm Wed 31/12/25
Gilliat River at Wills Development Road,9.44,steady,3:00 pm Wed 31/12/25
Cloncurry River at Cloncurry,4.82,falling,3:00 pm Wed 31/12/25
Cloncurry River at Canobie,11.02,steady,3:00 pm Wed 31/12/25
Flinders River at Flinders Cloncurry Junction,10.88,rising,12:00 pm Wed 31/12/25
Flinders River at Walkers Bend,9.61,steady,3:00 pm Wed 31/12/25

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.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, National Water Operations

Flood Warning For The Nicholson And Leichhardt Rivers
Issued at 12:52 PM AEST on Wednesday 31 December 2025
Flood Warning Number: 4

FLOODING OCCURRING ALONG THE NICHOLSON AND LEICHHARDT RIVERS
Recent widespread heavy rainfall has caused rises in river and creek levels across the Nicholson and Leichhardt catchments, with minor to major flooding occurring. The main flood peak along the Nicholson River is currently approaching Escott Station. Along the Albert River at Burketown Airstrip, river levels are expected to be elevated and to continue rising over the next few days. The river level at Burketown Airstrip may peak later this week.
Along the Leichhardt River at Lorraine, levels peaked near 16.25m on Tuesday, resulting in major flooding. The main flood peak along the Leichhardt River is now approaching Floraville, where river levels are elevated and are expected to continue rising over the next few days.
Further areas of rainfall are forecast to continue over the next few days. This may lead to additional river and creek level rises.

Nicholson and Gregory Rivers:
Moderate flooding is continuing along the Nicholson River at Escott Station. Minor flooding is occurring along the Gregory River at Gregory Downs.
No observations are currently available for the Albert River at Burketown Airstrip.
River levels along the Albert River at Burketown Airstrip are expected to be elevated and continuing to rising over the next few days. The river level may peak later this week.

Leichhardt River:
Major flooding is continuing along the Leichhardt River at Lorraine and moderate flooding is occurring at Floraville with river levels continuing to rise.

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 03:00 PM AEST on Wednesday 31 December 2025.

Latest River Heights:
Gregory River at Riversleigh,2.24,falling,12:00 pm Wed 31/12/25
Gregory River at Gregory Downs,7.01,falling,12:15 pm Wed 31/12/25
Nicholson River at Escott Station,9.60,rising,9:00 am Wed 31/12/25
Burketown Tide,4.37,steady,12:33 pm Wed 31/12/25
Leichhardt River at Doughboy Ck,2.98,steady,12:00 pm Wed 31/12/25
Leichhardt River at Julius Dam,0.56,steady,12:00 pm Wed 31/12/25
Leichhardt River at Miranda Creek,4.25,falling,12:00 pm Wed 31/12/25
Gunpowder Creek at Gunpowder,2.32,steady,12:00 pm Wed 31/12/25
Leichhardt River at Lorraine,16.00,falling,6:00 am Wed 31/12/25
Leichhardt River at Floraville,7.00,rising,12:00 pm Wed 31/12/25

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.