Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, National Water Operations

Major Flood Warning For The Flinders And Minor For The Cloncurry Rivers
Issued at 12:10 PM AEST on Thursday 15 January 2026
Flood Warning Number: 35

MAJOR FLOODING ESTIMATED TO BE FALLING SLOWLY AT WALKERS BEND
MINOR FLOODING EASING AT CLONCURRY AND POSSIBLE AT RICHMOND FROM THURSDAY EVENING
Inflows from multiple tributaries are causing major flooding at Walkers Bend, where the river level is estimated to be falling slowly.
Along the Flinders River at Richmond, minor flooding is possible from Thursday evening. Along the Cloncurry River at Cloncurry, minor flooding is likely to ease during Thursday afternoon.
Further rainfall is forecast for the next few days, with the remnants of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji forecast to move into northwest Queensland. This is likely to result in further river level rises in the upper Flinders and Cloncurry catchments over the coming days.
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 Western Queensland and the Cape York Peninsula, which includes the Flinders and Cloncurry catchments.

Flinders River to Richmond:
Minor flooding is possible at Richmond.
No observations are currently available for the Flinders River at Richmond Post Office. The river level is estimated to be below the minor flood level and rising.
The Flinders River at Richmond Post Office may reach around the minor flood level (5.00 m) Thursday evening. Further river level rises are possible with forecast rainfall.

Flinders River downstream of Richmond:
Major flooding is estimated to be occurring 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 until at least the end of the week.

Cloncurry River:
Minor flooding easing at Cloncurry.
The Cloncurry River at Cloncurry is currently at 3.02 m and falling, with minor flooding.
The Cloncurry River at Cloncurry is likely to fall below the minor flood level (3.00 m) during Thursday afternoon. Further river level rises are likely with forecast rainfall.

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 Friday 16 January 2026.

Latest River Heights:
Flinders River at Glendower Crossing,1.11,steady,10:00 am Thu 15/01/26
Porcupine Creek at Mt Emu Plains,1.81,steady,11:00 am Thu 15/01/26
Flinders River at Punchbowl,2.51,steady,11:00 am Thu 15/01/26
Flinders River at Etta Plains,9.48,steady,11:00 am Thu 15/01/26
Julia Creek,1.46,steady,11:00 am Thu 15/01/26
Gilliat River at Wills Development Road,5.59,falling,11:00 am Thu 15/01/26
Cloncurry River at Cloncurry,3.02,falling,11:00 am Thu 15/01/26
Cloncurry River at Canobie,8.47,steady,11:00 am Thu 15/01/26

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.