Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, National Water Operations

Major Flood Warning For The Flinders River
Issued at 09:46 AM AEST on Saturday 03 January 2026
Flood Warning Number: 17

MAJOR FLOODING OCCURRING AT RICHMOND AND WALKERS BEND
Recent heavy 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 Saturday through to Monday, with the heaviest rainfall likely over the Flinders catchment. Further river and creek level rises are possible.
Major flooding is estimated to be occurring along the Flinders River at Richmond. Downstream, along the Flinders River, an initial flood peak is passing through Etta Plains. Along the Cloncurry River, a flood peak has passed through Canobie. These flood peaks are travelling down the Flinders and Cloncurry Rivers towards the Flinders Cloncurry Junction.
Downstream of the Flinders Cloncurry Junction major flooding is occurring at Walkers Bend and is expected to continue rising well into next week as upstream flood waters continue to arrive.

Flinders River to Richmond:
Major flooding is occurring 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 around the major flood level (8.00 m) and steady.
The Flinders River at Richmond Post Office is likely to remain around the major flood level (8.00 m) into Monday 05 January.

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 13.47 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 Sunday 04 January 2026.

Latest River Heights:
Flinders River at Glendower Crossing,1.73,steady,9:05 am Sat 03/01/26
Porcupine Creek at Mt Emu Plains,2.37,steady,9:00 am Sat 03/01/26
Flinders River at Punchbowl,6.88,steady,9:00 am Sat 03/01/26
Flinders River at Etta Plains,11.26,steady,9:00 am Sat 03/01/26
Julia Creek,3.54,falling,9:00 am Sat 03/01/26
Gilliat River at Wills Development Road,8.61,steady,9:00 am Sat 03/01/26
Cloncurry River at Cloncurry,1.90,steady,9:00 am Sat 03/01/26
Cloncurry River at Canobie,11.04,steady,9:00 am Sat 03/01/26
Flinders River at Flinders Cloncurry Junction,12.18,rising,6:00 am Sat 03/01/26
Flinders River at Walkers Bend,13.47,steady,9:00 am Sat 03/01/26

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, Australia

Flood Watch For Parts Of Central West And North East Queensland
Issued at 12:23 PM AEST on Friday 02 January 2026
Flood Watch Number: 12
FURTHER FLOODING POSSIBLE IN PARTS OF CENTRAL WEST AND NORTH EAST QUEENSLAND

Catchments likely to be affected include:
Daintree River
Mossman River
Barron River
Mulgrave and Russell Rivers
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
Thomson River

Flood warnings are current for the following catchment(s): Herbert, Nicholson, Leichhardt, Upper Flinders, Lower Flinders, Norman, Gilbert, Georgina, Diamantina and Western rivers.

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 03 January 2026.

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.