Forecast

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 09:58 AM AEST on Monday 05 January 2026
Flood Warning Number: 21

MAJOR FLOODING OCCURRING AT RICHMOND AND WALKERS BEND, MINOR FLOODING OCCURRING AT CLONCURRY
Recent heavy rainfall has caused river and creek level rises and flooding across the Flinders and Cloncurry catchments. Rainfall has eased across the catchments, however there is the potential for further moderate to heavy rainfall from later in the week. Multiple peaks are moving through the catchments so further renewed river rises are expected over the coming days.
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 the 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 above the major flood level (8.00 m) for the next few days.

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 15.90 m and rising, with major flooding.
The Flinders River at Walkers Bend is expected to remain above the major flood level (8.00 m) for the remainder of the week, with rises continuing as upstream flows arrive.

Cloncurry River:
Minor flooding is occurring along the Cloncurry River at Cloncurry.
The Cloncurry River at Cloncurry is currently at 3.19 m and falling, with minor flooding.
The Cloncurry River at Cloncurry may remain around the minor flood level (3.00 m) into Tuesday.

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 05:00 PM AEST on Monday 05 January 2026.

Latest River Heights:
Flinders River at Glendower Crossing,3.08,falling,9:05 am Mon 05/01/26
Porcupine Creek at Mt Emu Plains,2.67,falling,9:00 am Mon 05/01/26
Flinders River at Punchbowl,7.36,steady,9:00 am Mon 05/01/26
Flinders River at Etta Plains,11.19,steady,9:00 am Mon 05/01/26
Julia Creek,3.98,falling,9:00 am Mon 05/01/26
Gilliat River at Wills Development Road,8.15,steady,9:00 am Mon 05/01/26
Cloncurry River at Cloncurry,3.19,falling,9:00 am Mon 05/01/26
Cloncurry River at Canobie,10.09,steady,9:00 am Mon 05/01/26
Flinders River at Flinders Cloncurry Junction,12.36,steady,12:00 pm Sat 03/01/26
Flinders River at Walkers Bend,15.93,rising,9:00 am Mon 05/01/26

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 Western River And Flood Warning For The Diamantina River
Issued at 06:17 PM AEST on Sunday 04 January 2026
Flood Warning Number: 14

MAJOR FLOODING OCCURRING AT WINTON
Recent rainfall across the upper Diamantina River catchment has caused renewed river level rises and flooding across the Western and Diamantina Rivers. Further areas of rainfall are forecast to continue remainder of Sunday and Monday over the Western River and farthest upstream parts of the Diamantina River. River levels are expected to remain elevated and further river level rises are possible.
A renewed rise is occurring along the Western River at Winton, where major flooding is occurring. Further river level rises likely with the arrival of upstream flows and forecast rainfall.
Renewed minor flooding is occurring at Diamantina Lakes. An earlier flood peak is continuing to move downstream along the Diamantina River below Monkira.

Diamantina River to Diamantina Lakes:
The Diamantina River at Diamantina Lakes is at 2.11 m and rising, above the level of the Springvale Diamantina Lakes Road Causeway (2.10 m).
Western River:
Moderate flooding is occurring along the Western River.
The Western River at Winton is currently at 3.51 m and rising, with major flooding.
The Western River at Winton is likely to peak above the major flood level (3.50 m) overnight Sunday into Monday.

Diamantina River downstream of Diamantina Lakes:
River level rises are occurring along the lower Diamantina River downstream of Diamantina Lakes, with a flood peak travelling downstream of 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 12:00 PM AEST on Monday 05 January 2026.

Latest River Heights:
Mills Creek at Oondooroo,4.50,falling,5:15 pm Sun 04/01/26
Western River at Winton,3.51,rising,5:00 pm Sun 04/01/26
Diamantina River at Elderslie,2.95,steady,3:00 pm Sun 04/01/26
Diamantina River at Diamantina Lakes Tm,2.29,rising,5:00 pm Sun 04/01/26
Diamantina River at Monkira,2.85,steady,9:00 am Sun 04/01/26
Diamantina River at Birdsville,1.96,steady,5:15 pm Sun 04/01/26

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 11:36 AM AEST on Sunday 04 January 2026
Flood Watch Number: 14
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) : Tully, Herbert, Bohle, Upper Burdekin, Nicholson, Leichhardt, Upper Flinders, Lower Flinders, Cloncurry, Norman, Gilbert, Diamantina, Western, Georgina Rivers and Eyre Creek

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 Monday 05 January 2026.