Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
for Heavy Rainfall

for parts of Herbert and Lower Burdekin, Central Coast and Whitsundays and Central West Forecast Districts.

Issued at 12:18 am Friday, 20 February 2026.

Slow moving thunderstorms are producing heavy rainfall overnight for parts of the state.

Weather Situation
A trough and moist airmass continues to producing thunderstorms across parts of the state overnight.
HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
Herbert and Lower Burdekin, Central Coast and Whitsundays and Central West
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Longreach, Mackay, Proserpine, Bowen, Barcaldine, Blackall, Isisford, Collinsville, Hamilton Island, Eungella, Jericho and Ilfracombe.
Severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in the Central Highlands and Coalfields district and the warning for this district is CANCELLED.
95mm was recorded at Moranbah in the 3 hours to 8:22pm.
122mm was recorded at Mt Spencer in the 3 hours to 5:49pm.
109mm was recorded at O'Connell in the 2 hours to 9:46pm.
81mm was recorded at Sandy Plateau in the 1 hour to 7:35pm.
79mm was recorded at Betanga Alert in the 3 hours to 12:01am.
Cancellation for the following areas:
Central Highlands and Coalfields

Emergency services advise people to:
* Park your car undercover away from trees.
* Close doors and windows.
* Keep asthma medications close by. Storms and wind can trigger asthma attacks.
* Charge mobile phones and power banks in case the power goes out.
* Put your pets somewhere safe and make sure they can be identified in case they get lost.
* Do not drive now unless you have to because conditions are dangerous.
* Tell friends, family and neighbours in the area.
* Go inside a strong building now. Stay inside until the storm has passed.

The next warning is due to be issued by 3:20 am.
Check https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts. Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and emergency services would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
for Heavy Rainfall

for parts of Herbert and Lower Burdekin, Central Coast and Whitsundays and Central West Forecast Districts.

Issued at 12:18 am Friday, 20 February 2026.

Slow moving thunderstorms are producing heavy rainfall overnight for parts of the state.

Weather Situation
A trough and moist airmass continues to producing thunderstorms across parts of the state overnight.
HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
Herbert and Lower Burdekin, Central Coast and Whitsundays and Central West
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Longreach, Mackay, Proserpine, Bowen, Barcaldine, Blackall, Isisford, Collinsville, Hamilton Island, Eungella, Jericho and Ilfracombe.
Severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in the Central Highlands and Coalfields district and the warning for this district is CANCELLED.
95mm was recorded at Moranbah in the 3 hours to 8:22pm.
122mm was recorded at Mt Spencer in the 3 hours to 5:49pm.
109mm was recorded at O'Connell in the 2 hours to 9:46pm.
81mm was recorded at Sandy Plateau in the 1 hour to 7:35pm.
79mm was recorded at Betanga Alert in the 3 hours to 12:01am.
Cancellation for the following areas:
Central Highlands and Coalfields

Emergency services advise people to:
* Park your car undercover away from trees.
* Close doors and windows.
* Keep asthma medications close by. Storms and wind can trigger asthma attacks.
* Charge mobile phones and power banks in case the power goes out.
* Put your pets somewhere safe and make sure they can be identified in case they get lost.
* Do not drive now unless you have to because conditions are dangerous.
* Tell friends, family and neighbours in the area.
* Go inside a strong building now. Stay inside until the storm has passed.

The next warning is due to be issued by 3:20 am.
Check https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts. Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and emergency services would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, National Water Operations

Minor Flood Warning For The Herbert River
Issued at 10:46 AM AEST on Thursday 19 February 2026
Flood Warning Number: 7

MINOR FLOODING OCCURRING AT GLENEAGLE HOMESTEAD AND ABERGOWRIE BRIDGE
Moderate rainfall has resulted in river level rises across the Herbert catchment during recent days. Minor flooding is estimated to be occurring at Gleneagle Homestead and Abergowrie Bridge. Halifax has fallen below the minor flood level.
Further showers and thunderstorms are forecast across the catchment during the next few days, which may lead to additional river level rises. The situation is being monitored, and this warning will be updated as required.

Herbert River to Nash's Crossing:
Minor flooding is estimated to be occurring at Gleneagle Homestead.
No observations are currently available for the Herbert River at Gleneagle Homestead. Based on the nearby automatic gauge, the river level is estimated to be above the minor flood level and falling.
The Herbert River at Gleneagle Homestead is likely to remain above the minor flood level (4.50 m) overnight Thursday into Friday.

Herbert River downstream of Nash's Crossing:
Minor flooding is occurring along the Herbert River downstream of Nash's Crossing.
The Herbert River at Abergowrie Bridge is currently at 6.72 m and falling, with minor flooding.
The Herbert River at Abergowrie Bridge is expected to remain above the minor flood level (6.00 m) overnight Thursday into Friday.

The Herbert River at Halifax is currently at 3.76 m and falling, below the minor flood level.
The Herbert River at Halifax is likely to remain below the minor flood level.

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 11:00 AM AEST on Friday 20 February 2026.

Latest River Heights:
Wild River at Silver Valley,2.34,steady,10:00 am Thu 19/02/26
Rudd Creek at Gunnawarra,5.72,falling,10:00 am Thu 19/02/26
Herbert River at Gleneagle,5.86,falling,10:00 am Thu 19/02/26
Blencoe Creek at Blencoe Falls,2.75,steady,10:00 am Thu 19/02/26
Herbert River at Nash's Crossing,4.30,falling,10:41 am Thu 19/02/26
Herbert River at Zattas,4.00,falling,10:31 am Thu 19/02/26
Herbert River at Abergowrie,6.11,falling,9:30 am Thu 19/02/26
Herbert River at Abergowrie Bridge,6.67,falling,10:38 am Thu 19/02/26
Stone River at Peacock Siding,1.55,falling,10:15 am Thu 19/02/26
Herbert River at Trebonne,6.95,steady,10:37 am Thu 19/02/26
Herbert River at Ingham Pump Station,7.14,falling,10:39 am Thu 19/02/26
Herbert River at Gairloch,6.89,falling,10:21 am Thu 19/02/26
Herbert River at Halifax,3.71,falling,10:42 am Thu 19/02/26
Lucinda Offshore Tide,3.51,rising,10:09 am Thu 19/02/26

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

Minor Flood Warning For The Cape River
Issued at 09:43 AM AEST on Thursday 19 February 2026
Flood Warning Number: 5

MINOR FLOODING TO CONTINUE AT TAEMAS
Moderate to heavy rainfall during last few days has caused river level rises along the Cape River with minor flooding occurring at Taemas.
Further showers and thunderstorms are forecast across the catchment over the next few days, which may cause additional river level rises. The situation is being monitored, and this warning will be updated as required.
A Flood Watch for parts of Northern Queensland and the Cape York Peninsula is current.

Cape River to Burdekin Falls Dam:
Minor flooding is occurring at Taemas.
The Cape River at Taemas peaked at 6.76 m around 8:00 am Wednesday, with minor flooding. The river is currently at 6.61 m and falling, with minor flooding.
The Cape River at Taemas is expected to remain above the minor flood level (5.00 m) for the remainder of Thursday and into 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 10:00 AM AEST on Friday 20 February 2026.

Latest River Heights:
Cape River at Pentland,2.25,steady,9:05 am Thu 19/02/26
Cape River at Taemas,6.61,falling,9:00 am Thu 19/02/26
Burdekin Dam,1.91,steady,8:10 am Thu 19/02/26

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.