Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, National Water Operations

Major Flood Warning For The Flinders River And Minor Flood Warning For The Cloncurry River
Issued at 04:29 PM AEST on Monday 05 January 2026
Flood Warning Number: 23

MAJOR FLOODING OCCURRING AT RICHMOND AND WALKERS BEND, MINOR FLOODING OCCURRING AT CLONCURRY
Recent heavy rainfall has caused river and creek level rises and flooding across the Flinders and Cloncurry catchments. Rainfall has eased across the catchments, however there is the potential for further moderate to heavy rainfall from later in the week. Multiple peaks are moving through the catchments so further renewed river rises are expected over the coming days, with some river levels reaching just below the 2019 level.
Major flooding is estimated to be occurring along the Flinders River at Richmond. Downstream, along the Flinders River, an initial flood peak is passing through Etta Plains. Along the Cloncurry River, a flood peak has passed through Canobie. These flood peaks are travelling down the Flinders and Cloncurry Rivers towards the Flinders Cloncurry Junction.
Downstream of the Flinders Cloncurry Junction major flooding is occurring at Walkers Bend and with further rises expected well into next week as upstream flood waters arrive, where the river may reach just below the 2019 level.

Flinders River to Richmond:
Major flooding is occurring 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 around the major flood level (8.00 m) and steady.
The Flinders River at Richmond Post Office is likely to remain above the major flood level (8.00 m) for the next few days.

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 16.12 m and rising, with major flooding.
The Flinders River at Walkers Bend is expected to remain above the major flood level (8.00 m) for the remainder of the week. As upstream flood waters arrive, the river may reach just below the 2019 level.

Cloncurry River:
Minor flooding is occurring along the Cloncurry River at Cloncurry.
The Cloncurry River at Cloncurry is currently at 3.15 m and falling, with minor flooding.
The Cloncurry River at Cloncurry may remain around the minor flood level (3.00 m) into Tuesday.

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 Tuesday 06 January 2026.

Latest River Heights:
Flinders River at Glendower Crossing,2.45,falling,3:20 pm Mon 05/01/26
Porcupine Creek at Mt Emu Plains,2.41,falling,3:00 pm Mon 05/01/26
Flinders River at Punchbowl,7.42,steady,3:00 pm Mon 05/01/26
Flinders River at Etta Plains,11.13,steady,3:00 pm Mon 05/01/26
Julia Creek,3.67,falling,3:00 pm Mon 05/01/26
Gilliat River at Wills Development Road,8.11,steady,3:00 pm Mon 05/01/26
Cloncurry River at Cloncurry,3.15,falling,3:00 pm Mon 05/01/26
Cloncurry River at Canobie,9.98,steady,3:00 pm Mon 05/01/26
Flinders River at Flinders Cloncurry Junction,12.36,steady,12:00 pm Sat 03/01/26
Flinders River at Walkers Bend,16.12,rising,3:00 pm Mon 05/01/26

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.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, Australia

Flood Watch For Parts Of The North East Tropical Coast
Issued at 12:06 PM AEST on Monday 05 January 2026
Flood Watch Number: 15
FURTHER FLOODING POSSIBLE ACROSS PARTS OF THE NORTH EAST QUEENSLAND COAST

Catchments likely to be affected include:
Daintree River
Mossman River
Barron River
Mulgrave and Russell Rivers
Johnstone River
Murray River
Black River
Ross and Bohle Rivers
Haughton River
Belyando and Suttor Rivers to Burdekin Falls Dam
Cape River to Burdekin Falls Dam
Burdekin River downstream of Burdekin Falls Dam
Don and Proserpine Rivers
Thomson River

Flood warnings are current for the following catchment(s) : Herbert, Tully, Cape and Upper Burdekin, Nicholson, Leichhardt, Upper Flinders, Lower Flinders, Cloncurry, Norman, Gilbert, Georgina and Eyre and Diamantina and Western
Flooding is no longer expected in the following catchment(s): Belyando and Suttor to Burdekin Falls Dam, Burdekin downstream of Burdekin Falls Dam and Don and Proserpine, Thomson

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

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 Flood Watch will be issued by 01:00 PM AEST on Tuesday 06 January 2026.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, National Water Operations

Major Flood Warning For The Western River And Flood Warning For The Diamantina River
Issued at 11:49 AM AEST on Monday 05 January 2026
Flood Warning Number: 15

RENEWED RISES TO THE MAJOR FLOOD LEVEL POSSIBLE AT WINTON FOR THE REMAINDER OF MONDAY AND INTO TUESDAY
Widespread heavy rainfall late last week has caused river level rises and flooding across the Diamantina River catchment and its upper tributaries. Over the last 48 hours, further rainfall totals up to 95 mm have been observed across the Western River catchment. Renewed rises to the major flood level remain possible along the Western River at Winton as flows arrive from multiple tributaries.
Further isolated showers and storms are forecast during Monday and Tuesday over the Western River and farthest upstream parts of the Diamantina River before easing midweek. Across the wider catchment, river levels are expected to remain elevated and further river level rises are possible as upstream flows arrive.
Renewed minor flooding is occurring at Diamantina Lakes. An earlier flood peak is continuing to move downstream along the Diamantina River below Monkira.

Diamantina River to Diamantina Lakes:
The Diamantina River at Diamantina Lakes is at 2.80 m and rising, above the level of the Springvale Diamantina Lakes Road Causeway (2.10 m).
Western River:
Renewed major flooding is possible along the Western River at Winton.
As of 11:14 am, the Western River at Winton was at 3.10 m and falling, with moderate flooding.
Renewed rises to the major flood level (3.50 m) are possible for the remainder of Monday and into Tuesday as upstream flows arrive.

Diamantina River downstream of Diamantina Lakes:
River level rises are occurring along the lower Diamantina River downstream of Diamantina Lakes, with a flood peak travelling downstream of Monkira.

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 12:00 PM AEST on Tuesday 06 January 2026.

Latest River Heights:
Mills Creek at Oondooroo,4.31,steady,11:00 am Mon 05/01/26
Western River at Winton,3.25,steady,9:00 am Mon 05/01/26
Diamantina River at Elderslie,2.95,steady,6:05 am Mon 05/01/26
Diamantina River at Diamantina Lakes Tm,2.82,steady,11:00 am Mon 05/01/26
Diamantina River at Monkira,2.74,steady,9:00 am Mon 05/01/26
Diamantina River at Birdsville,1.98,steady,10:15 am Mon 05/01/26

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.