Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, National Water Operations

Major Flood Warning For The Flinders River
Issued at 03:27 PM AEST on Friday 02 January 2026
Flood Warning Number: 16

NEAR MAJOR FLOODING POSSIBLE AT RICHMOND FROM FRIDAY EVENING
MAJOR FLOODING CONTINUES TO RISE 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 the heaviest rainfall likely over the Flinders catchment. River and creek level rises are likely to continue.
Moderate flooding is expected to be occurring at Richmond, with rises close to the major flood level possible from Friday evening. Minor flooding has eased at Cloncurry. Downstream, major flooding at Walkers Bend is expected to continue rising well into next week as upstream floodwaters continue to arrive.

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 rising.
The Flinders River at Richmond Post Office may reach close to the major flood level (8.00 m) from Friday evening. Further rises are possible with forecast rain.

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 12.72 m and rising, 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 rises continuing as upstream flows arrive.

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 Saturday 03 January 2026.

Latest River Heights:
Flinders River at Glendower Crossing,1.09,steady,2:00 pm Fri 02/01/26
Porcupine Creek at Mt Emu Plains,2.65,falling,2:00 pm Fri 02/01/26
Flinders River at Punchbowl,6.71,steady,2:00 pm Fri 02/01/26
Flinders River at Etta Plains,11.31,steady,2:00 pm Fri 02/01/26
Julia Creek,3.92,steady,2:00 pm Fri 02/01/26
Gilliat River at Wills Development Road,8.90,steady,2:00 pm Fri 02/01/26
Cloncurry River at Cloncurry,2.20,steady,2:00 pm Fri 02/01/26
Cloncurry River at Canobie,11.35,steady,2:00 pm Fri 02/01/26
Flinders River at Flinders Cloncurry Junction,11.90,steady,3:00 pm Fri 02/01/26
Flinders River at Walkers Bend,12.72,rising,2:00 pm Fri 02/01/26

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, National Water Operations

Major Flood Warning For The Western River And Flood Warning For The Diamantina River
Issued at 12:17 PM AEST on Friday 02 January 2026
Flood Warning Number: 9

MAJOR FLOODING IS POSSIBLE AT WINTON OVER THE WEEKEND
RENEWED RIVER LEVEL RISES POSSIBLE AT DIAMANTINA LAKES OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS
Recent rainfall across the upper Diamantina River catchment has caused renewed river level rises and flooding across the Western and Diamantina Rivers. Moderate flooding is occurring at Winton, and major flooding is possible over the weekend.
Further areas of rainfall are forecast to continue over the next few days. River levels are expected to remain elevated and further river level rises are likely.
This situation is being closely monitored, and this warning will be updated as required.

Diamantina River to Diamantina Lakes:
The Diamantina River at Diamantina Lakes is at 2.23 m and steady, above the level of the Springvale Diamantina Lakes Road Causeway (2.10 m). Renewed river level rises are likely over the next few days.
Western River:
Moderate flooding is occurring along the Western River, with major flooding possible.
The Western River at Winton is currently at 2.22 m and steady, with moderate flooding.
The Western River at Winton is likely to remain above the moderate flood level (2.00 m) for the remainder of Friday. Further rises to around the major flood level (3.50 m) are possible over the weekend.

Diamantina River downstream of Diamantina Lakes:
River level rises are occurring along the lower Diamantina River downstream of Diamantina Lakes, with minor flooding occurring at 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 02:00 PM AEST on Saturday 03 January 2026.

Latest River Heights:
Mills Creek at Oondooroo,6.09,steady,11:00 am Fri 02/01/26
Western River at Winton,2.22,steady,11:20 am Fri 02/01/26
Diamantina River at Diamantina Lakes Tm,2.23,steady,11:00 am Fri 02/01/26
Diamantina River at Monkira,2.99,steady,9:00 am Thu 01/01/26
Diamantina River at Birdsville,1.79,steady,11:15 am Fri 02/01/26

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.