Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, National Water Operations
Major Flood Warning For The Lower Flinders River And Moderate Flood Warning For The Upper Flinders River
Issued at 12:10 PM AEST on Thursday 29 January 2026
Flood Warning Number: 50
MODERATE FLOODING IS OCCURRING AT RICHMOND
MAJOR FLOODING EXPECTED TO CONTINUE AT WALKERS BEND
River level rises are occurring along the Flinders River downstream of Richmond following moderate to heavy rainfall during Monday into Tuesday. Moderate flooding is expected to continue at Richmond for the remainder of Thursday and into Friday, following a moderate flood peak earlier this week.
Further downstream, renewed river level rises are occurring at Walkers Bend where major flooding is expected to continue for the next few days. River levels are not expected to exceed levels observed earlier this month.
A Flood Watch is current for parts of the Cape York Peninsula and Gulf of Carpentaria
Flinders River to Richmond:
Moderate flooding is occurring along the upper Flinders River at 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 falling.
The Flinders River at Richmond Post Office is likely to remain above the moderate flood level (6.00 m) for the remainder of Thursday and into Friday.
Flinders River downstream of Richmond:
Major flooding is occurring along the lower Flinders River at Walkers Bend.
The Flinders River at Walkers Bend is currently at 8.71 m and slowly rising, with major flooding.
The Flinders River at Walkers Bend is expected to remain above the major flood level (8.00 m) for the next few days. Further rises are likely 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 01:00 PM AEST on Friday 30 January 2026.
Latest River Heights:
Flinders River at Glendower Crossing,1.21,steady,11:00 am Thu 29/01/26
Porcupine Creek at Mt Emu Plains,1.99,steady,11:00 am Thu 29/01/26
Flinders River at Punchbowl,4.95,steady,11:00 am Thu 29/01/26
Flinders River at Etta Plains,3.05,falling,11:00 am Thu 29/01/26
Julia Creek,1.42,steady,11:00 am Thu 29/01/26
Gilliat River at Wills Development Road,3.70,steady,11:00 am Thu 29/01/26
Cloncurry River at Cloncurry,1.14,steady,11:00 am Thu 29/01/26
Cloncurry River at Canobie,3.35,falling,11:00 am Thu 29/01/26
Flinders River at Walkers Bend,8.72,steady,11:00 am Thu 29/01/26
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.
Forecast
McKinlay (21.273°S, 141.2945°E, 166m AMSL) set as my default location ›
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7 day forecast
Today: Mostly clear. Slight chance of a shower in the NW, near zero chance elsewhere. The chance of a thunderstorm, possibly severe with heavy rain which may lead to flash flooding in the NW. Winds NE 25 to 40 km/h decreasing to 20 to 30 km/h in the evening.
Forecast for McKinlay (21.273°S, 141.2945°E, 166m AMSL) Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Summary
Minimum 24° 24° 24° 24° 25° 25° 24° Maximum 39° 39° 39° 40° 40° 36° 35° Chance of rain 5% 5% 5% 5% 60% 70% 80% Likely amount < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm 1-5mm 1-5mm 10-20mm UV index Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Fire Danger Rating High Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate - - Frost risk Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm Wind speed 28
(km/h)17
(km/h)15
(km/h)22
(km/h)17
(km/h)24
(km/h)15
(km/h)15
(km/h)12
(km/h)16
(km/h)18
(km/h)21
(km/h)27
(km/h)23
(km/h)Wind direction NNE ENE NE E NE E N E NE E ENE E ENE E Relative humidity 64% 37% 56% 35% 46% 29% 53% 32% 52% 32% 63% 48% 72% 60% Dew point 23°C 19°C 21°C 20°C 18°C 17°C 20°C 19°C 21°C 19°C 23°C 23°C 24°C 24°C -
Sunrise and sunset times
Sunrise / Sunset for McKinlay (21.273°S, 141.2945°E, 166m AMSL) First light Sunrise Sunset Last light Moon rise Moon set Moon phase Full moon Last quarter New moon First quarter 5:52am EST 6:16am EST 7:23pm EST 7:47pm EST 4:08pm EST 1:54am EST
Waxing gibbous
Full moon Feb 02 Last quarter Feb 09 New moon Feb 17 First quarter Feb 24 -
Warnings
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Temperature for next 7 days
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Rain for next 7 days