Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, National Water Operations
Major Flood Warning For The Upper Balonne River
Issued at 12:35 PM AEST on Tuesday 17 March 2026
Flood Warning Number: 11
MAJOR FLOODING OCCURRING AT WARKON AND SURAT
The flood peak along the Upper Balonne is downstream of Surat, where a major flood peak was observed during Monday, and is approaching Warroo, where minor flooding is possible from overnight Tuesday.
No significant rainfall is forecast across the catchment for the next several days.
Balonne River to Surat:
Major flooding is occurring along the Balonne River to Surat.
The Balonne River at Warkon is currently at 10.12 m and steady, with major flooding.
The Balonne River at Warkon is likely to remain above the major flood level (9.00 m) through to Wednesday.
No observations are currently available for the Balonne River at Surat. Based on the nearby automatic gauge, the river level is estimated to be above the major flood level (9.0 m) and falling after a peak of around 10.5 m during Monday afternoon.
The Balonne River at Surat is likely to remain above the major flood level (9.00 m) for the next few days.
Balonne River downstream of Surat to Beardmore Dam:
Minor flooding is occurring along the Balonne River downstream of Surat to Beardmore Dam.
The Balonne River at Warroo is currently at 8.69 m and steady, below the minor flood level.
The Balonne River at Warroo may exceed the minor flood level (9.00 m) overnight Tuesday into Wednesday. The river may reach around 9.80 m overnight Thursday into Friday, with minor flooding.
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 01:00 PM AEST on Wednesday 18 March 2026.
Latest River Heights:
Dogwood Creek at Miles,3.79,steady,7:08 am Tue 17/03/26
Balonne River at Warkon,10.12,steady,12:00 pm Tue 17/03/26
Bungil Creek at Tabers,0.72,steady,12:00 pm Tue 17/03/26
Bungil Creek at Roma,0.79,steady,12:00 pm Tue 17/03/26
Balonne River at Surat TM,10.10,steady,12:15 pm Tue 17/03/26
Balonne River at Weribone,10.94,steady,12:00 pm Tue 17/03/26
Balonne River at Warroo,8.69,steady,11:43 am Tue 17/03/26
Maranoa River at Springfield,0.74,steady,12:00 pm Tue 17/03/26
Maranoa River at Woodlands,1.95,steady,12:00 pm Tue 17/03/26
Maranoa River at Old Cashmere,2.11,steady,12:00 pm Tue 17/03/26
Balonne River at Beardmore Dam,0.01,steady,11:00 am Tue 17/03/26
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.
Forecast
Dirranbandi (28.5858°S, 148.2276°E, 172m AMSL) set as my default location ›
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7 day forecast
Today: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers in the SW, slight chance elsewhere. Winds NE 15 to 25 km/h tending NE/SE in the late afternoon. Daytime maximum temperatures around 30.
Forecast for Dirranbandi (28.5858°S, 148.2276°E, 172m AMSL) Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Summary
Minimum 22° 23° 21° 22° 20° 19° 20° Maximum 31° 30° 32° 33° 31° 32° 33° Chance of rain 50% 30% 20% 50% 30% 5% 5% Likely amount < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm 1-5mm < 1mm < 1mm UV index Very High Very High Very High Very High Very High Very High Very High Fire Danger Rating Moderate Moderate No Rating No Rating - - - Frost risk Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm Wind speed 20
(km/h)16
(km/h)16
(km/h)12
(km/h)13
(km/h)13
(km/h)13
(km/h)14
(km/h)16
(km/h)16
(km/h)14
(km/h)17
(km/h)12
(km/h)17
(km/h)Wind direction NE E ENE ESE ENE SE NE SE E SE ESE SSE E S Relative humidity 55% 35% 68% 48% 61% 38% 59% 36% 62% 39% 58% 30% 54% 29% Dew point 15°C 13°C 20°C 16°C 18°C 15°C 19°C 15°C 17°C 15°C 16°C 12°C 16°C 12°C -
Sunrise and sunset times
Sunrise / Sunset for Dirranbandi (28.5858°S, 148.2276°E, 172m AMSL) First light Sunrise Sunset Last light Moon rise Moon set Moon phase New moon First quarter Full moon Last quarter 5:44am EST 6:08am EST 6:20pm EST 6:43pm EST 4:59am EST 5:46pm EST
Waning crescent
New moon Mar 19 First quarter Mar 26 Full moon Apr 02 Last quarter Apr 10 -
Warnings
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Temperature for next 7 days
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Rain for next 7 days