Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, National Water Operations

Initial Flood Warning For The Nicholson And Gregory Rivers
Issued at 03:51 PM AEST on Friday 16 January 2026
Flood Warning Number: 1

ELEVATED RIVER LEVELS AND FLOODING LIKELY ALONG THE NICHOLSON AND GREGORY RIVERS FROM OVERNIGHT FRIDAY
Moderate to locally heavy rainfall has been recorded across the Nicholson catchment over the last 24 hours. River level rises have been observed along the Gregory River with flooding likely overnight Friday and into the weekend.
Further rainfall is forecast across the catchment over the next few days, which may result in further river level rises and flooding. This situation is being closely monitored, and warnings will be updated as required.
A Flood Watch is current for the Gulf Country and parts of the Cape York Peninsula, which includes the Nicholson and Leichhardt catchments.

Nicholson and Gregory Rivers:
Flooding is likely along the Nicholson and Gregory Rivers from overnight Friday.

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 17 January 2026.

Latest River Heights:
Gregory River at Riversleigh,2.66,steady,3:00 pm Fri 16/01/26
Gregory River at Gregory Downs,3.87,rising,3:20 pm Fri 16/01/26
Burketown Tide,3.39,rising,3:33 pm Fri 16/01/26
Leichhardt River at Doughboy Ck,1.45,steady,3:00 pm Fri 16/01/26
Leichhardt River at Julius Dam,0.27,steady,3:00 pm Fri 16/01/26
Leichhardt River at Miranda Creek,2.87,rising,3:00 pm Fri 16/01/26
Gunpowder Creek at Gunpowder,3.15,falling,3:00 pm Fri 16/01/26
Leichhardt River at Lorraine,1.10,falling,9:00 am Tue 13/01/26
Leichhardt River at Floraville,2.29,steady,3:00 pm Fri 16/01/26

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 Flinders River And Minor Flood Warning For The Cloncurry River
Issued at 12:49 PM AEST on Friday 16 January 2026
Flood Warning Number: 37

MODERATE FLOODING ESTIMATED TO BE OCCURRING AT RICHMOND
MAJOR FLOODING ESTIMATED TO BE FALLING SLOWLY AT WALKERS BEND
Moderate rainfall since Tuesday has caused renewed river level rises along the upper Flinders and Cloncurry Rivers. The Flinders River at Richmond is estimated to have exceeded the moderate flood level (6.00 m) early Friday morning. Along the Cloncurry River, renewed minor flooding peaked Friday morning.
Further downstream along the lower Flinders River at Walkers Bend, major flooding is estimated to be falling slowly following a major flood peak earlier this month.
Further rainfall is forecast for the remainder of Friday and into the weekend, which may cause further river level rises in the upper Flinders and Cloncurry catchments. This situation is being closely monitored, and warnings will be updated as required.
A Flood Watch is current for the Gulf Country and the Cape York Peninsula, which includes the Flinders and Cloncurry catchments.

Flinders River to Richmond:
Moderate flooding is occurring at Richmond.
No current observations are available for the Flinders River at Richmond Post Office. Based on the nearby automatic gauge, the river level is estimated to be above the moderate flood level (6.00 m) and steady.
The Flinders River at Richmond Post Office is likely to remain above the moderate flood level for the next few days. Renewed rises are possible with the forecast rain.

Flinders River downstream of Richmond:
Major flooding is estimated to be continuing along the Flinders River downstream of Richmond.
River level observations are unavailable for the Flinders River at Walkers Bend. The river level is estimated to be well above the major flood level (8.00 m) and falling slowly.
The Flinders River at Walkers Bend is expected to remain above the major flood level into early next week.

Cloncurry River:
Minor flooding is falling at Cloncurry.
Renewed minor flooding on the Cloncurry River at Cloncurry peaked at 3.56 m around 09:00 am Friday. The river level is currently at 3.30 m and falling, with minor flooding.
The Cloncurry River at Cloncurry may fall below the minor flood level (3.00 m) late Friday afternoon.

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 Saturday 17 January 2026.

Latest River Heights:
Flinders River at Glendower Crossing,1.14,rising,12:00 pm Fri 16/01/26
Porcupine Creek at Mt Emu Plains,1.81,steady,12:00 pm Fri 16/01/26
Flinders River at Punchbowl,2.90,rising,12:00 pm Fri 16/01/26
Flinders River at Etta Plains,8.81,falling,12:00 pm Fri 16/01/26
Julia Creek,2.67,rising,12:00 pm Fri 16/01/26
Gilliat River at Wills Development Road,6.10,rising,12:00 pm Fri 16/01/26
Cloncurry River at Cloncurry,3.30,falling,12:00 pm Fri 16/01/26
Cloncurry River at Canobie,8.22,steady,12:00 pm Fri 16/01/26

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.