Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, Australia

Flood Watch For Coastal Rivers Between Cooktown To Rockhampton And The Cape York Peninsula
Issued at 12:41 PM AEST on Friday 09 January 2026
Flood Watch Number: 22
MINOR TO MAJOR FLOODING POSSIBLE ACROSS COASTAL RIVERS BETWEEN COOKTOWN TO ROCKHAMPTON AND THE CAPE YORK PENINSULA

Catchments likely to be affected include:
Jacky Jacky Creek
Olive and Pascoe Rivers
Lockhart River
Stewart River
Normanby River
Jeannie River
Endeavour River
Daintree River
Mossman River
Barron River
Johnstone River
Tully 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 to Burdekin Falls Dam
Burdekin River downstream of Burdekin Falls Dam
Don and Proserpine Rivers
Pioneer River
Connors, Isaac and Styx Rivers and Plane Creek
Mackenzie and Fitzroy Rivers and Shoalwater and Water Park Creeks
Staaten River
Mitchell River
Coleman and Edward Rivers
Holroyd and Kendall Rivers
Archer and Coen Rivers
Watson River
Embley and Mission Rivers
Wenlock River
Ducie, Jackson and Skardon Rivers
Jardine River

Flood Warnings are current for the following catchment(s): Daintree, Mulgrave and Russell, Johnstone, Tully, Herbert, Black, Ross and Bohle, Haughton, Burdekin to Burdekin Falls Dam, Burdekin downstream of Burdekin Falls Dam, Nicholson, Leichhardt, Upper Flinders, Lower Flinders, Norman, Gilbert, Georgina and Eyre, Diamantina and 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 Saturday 10 January 2026.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, National Water Operations

Initial Minor Flood Warning For The Burdekin River
Issued at 12:35 PM AEST on Friday 09 January 2026
Flood Warning Number: 1

MINOR FLOODING POSSIBLE AT CLARE AND INKERMAN BRIDGE (BURDEKIN BRIDGE) FROM OVERNIGHT SATURDAY
MINOR FLOODING POSSIBLE AT DALBEG AND SELLHEIM (MACROSSAN BRIDGE) FROM SUNDAY MORNING
Heavy to locally intense rainfall is forecast to develop across parts of the Burdekin River catchment from overnight Friday. The timing and the location of the heaviest falls will depend on the development and track of the tropical low. This rainfall is likely to result in rapid river and creek level rises. Minor flooding is possible for Clare and Inkerman Bridge (Burdekin Bridge) from overnight Saturday, and possible at Dalbeg and Sellheim (Macrossan Bridge) from Sunday morning. Minor flooding is possible at Burdekin Dam from Monday morning.
This situation is being closely monitored, and this warning will be updated as required.
A Flood Watch is current for adjoining catchments. A Severe Weather Warning for heavy to locally intense rainfall is current for parts of the Burdekin catchment.

Burdekin River to Burdekin Falls Dam:
Minor flooding is possible along the Burdekin River to Burdekin Falls Dam, with forecast rainfall.
The Burdekin River at Sellheim (Macrossan Bridge) is currently at 3.80 m and falling, below the minor flood level.
The Burdekin River at Sellheim (Macrossan Bridge) may reach around the minor flood level (12.00 m) Sunday morning, with forecast rainfall.

The Burdekin Dam is currently at 1.86 m and steady, below the minor flood level.
The Burdekin Dam may reach around the minor flood level (3.00 m) Monday morning, with forecast rainfall.

Burdekin River downstream of Burdekin Falls Dam:
Minor flooding is possible along the Burdekin River downstream of Burdekin Falls, with forecast rainfall.
The Burdekin River at Dalbeg is currently at 6.88 m and falling, below the minor flood level.
The Burdekin River at Dalbeg may exceed the minor flood level (10.00 m) Sunday morning. Further rises are possible with forecast rain.

The Burdekin River at Clare is currently at 6.70 m and falling, below the minor flood level.
The Burdekin River at Clare may exceed the minor flood level (9.00 m) overnight Saturday into Sunday. Further rises are possible with forecast rain.

The Burdekin River at Inkerman Bridge (Burdekin Bridge) is currently at 5.25 m and steady, below the minor flood level.
The Burdekin River at Inkerman Bridge (Burdekin Bridge) may exceed the minor flood level (7.00 m) overnight Saturday into Sunday. Further rises are possible with forecast rain.

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 10 January 2026.

Latest River Heights:
Burdekin River at Mt Fullstop,3.58,steady,12:00 pm Fri 09/01/26
Paluma Dam,-0.52,steady,11:41 am Fri 09/01/26
Running River at Mt Bradley,1.40,steady,12:00 pm Fri 09/01/26
Star River at Laroona,2.59,falling,12:00 pm Fri 09/01/26
Burdekin River at Gainsford,4.14,steady,12:00 pm Fri 09/01/26
Keelbottom Creek at Keelbottom,1.54,steady,12:00 pm Fri 09/01/26
Burdekin River at Sellheim,3.80,falling,10:51 am Fri 09/01/26
Alpha Creek at Rivington,0.07,steady,12:26 pm Fri 09/01/26
Belyando River at Belyando Crossing,3.21,steady,12:00 pm Fri 09/01/26
Suttor River at St Anns,1.38,steady,12:00 pm Fri 09/01/26
Cape River at Pentland,2.05,steady,12:20 pm Fri 09/01/26
Cape River at Taemas,2.86,steady,10:40 am Fri 09/01/26
Burdekin Dam,1.86,steady,12:00 pm Fri 09/01/26
Bowen River at Myuna,0.66,steady,12:00 pm Fri 09/01/26
Burdekin River at Dalbeg,6.88,falling,12:02 pm Fri 09/01/26
Bogie River at Strathbogie,1.12,steady,4:51 am Fri 09/01/26
Burdekin River at Millaroo,7.15,falling,12:28 pm Fri 09/01/26
Burdekin River at Clare,6.70,falling,11:50 am Fri 09/01/26
Burdekin River at Inkerman Bridge,5.25,steady,11:35 am Fri 09/01/26
Burdekin River at Rita Island,-1.85,steady,11:36 am Fri 09/01/26
Burdekin River at Groper Creek,1.04,rising,12:16 pm Fri 09/01/26

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.