Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, National Water Operations

Initial Moderate Flood Warning For The Haughton River Catchment
Issued at 01:28 PM AEST on Thursday 01 January 2026
Flood Warning Number: 1

MODERATE FLOODING POSSIBLE AT GIRU OVERNIGHT THURSDAY
Moderate to heavy rainfall has been recorded across the Haughton River catchment. Heavy falls over Major Creek have resulted in rapid river level rises. Further rainfall is forecast tonight and over the coming days. Minor flooding is likely to develop along the Haughton River at Giru on Thursday evening, with further rises and the potential for moderate flooding overnight Thursday into Friday.

Haughton River:
Moderate flooding is possible along the Haughton River.
The Haughton River at Giru is currently at 0.63 m and rising, below the minor flood level.
The Haughton River at Giru is likely to exceed the minor flood level (1.80 m) Thursday evening. The river may reach around the moderate flood level (2.10 m) overnight Thursday into Friday. Further rises are possible.

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 Thursday 01 January 2026.

Latest River Heights:
Haughton River at Mt Piccaninny,0.00,steady,11:27 am Thu 01/01/26
Major Creek upstream Haughton River,4.45,rising,12:00 pm Thu 01/01/26
Haughton River at Powerline,2.25,rising,1:05 pm Thu 01/01/26
Haughton River at Giru,0.63,rising,1:07 pm Thu 01/01/26

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
Queensland

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Weather Warning
for Heavy Rainfall

for parts of Herbert and Lower Burdekin Forecast District.

Issued at 10:22 am Thursday, 1 January 2026.

Heavy rainfall remains possible along the Townsville coast today, more likely overnight tonight.

Weather Situation
Converging winds positioned just southeast of Townsville is combining with a very humid airmass to bring widespread moderate rainfall today, with heavy rainfall possible in localised areas on the coast. This convergence is expected to begin moving back towards the northwest along the coast later this evening, to be positioned over Townsville tonight.
HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
Herbert and Lower Burdekin
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is possible for coastal areas between Townsville and Bowen this morning and early afternoon. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 50 to 100 mm are likely, with isolated falls up to 180 mm possible on the coastal fringe. HEAVY RAINFALL is expected to ease temporarily during this afternoon.
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is likely to re-develop later this evening along the coast between Rollingstone and Ayr including Townsville. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 80 to 150 mm are likely, with isolated falls in excess of 200 mm possible.
Flood Watches and Flood Warnings are current for Northern Queensland. Please refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts for more information.
Locations which may be affected include Townsville, Palm Island, Ayr, Rollingstone, Giru and Alva Beach.
80mm was recorded at Upper Stuart Creek (South of Townsville) in the 1 hour to 2:35am.

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 Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 5:00 pm AEST Thursday.
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 Weather Warning
for Heavy Rainfall

for parts of Herbert and Lower Burdekin Forecast District.

Issued at 10:22 am Thursday, 1 January 2026.

Heavy rainfall remains possible along the Townsville coast today, more likely overnight tonight.

Weather Situation
Converging winds positioned just southeast of Townsville is combining with a very humid airmass to bring widespread moderate rainfall today, with heavy rainfall possible in localised areas on the coast. This convergence is expected to begin moving back towards the northwest along the coast later this evening, to be positioned over Townsville tonight.
HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
Herbert and Lower Burdekin
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is possible for coastal areas between Townsville and Bowen this morning and early afternoon. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 50 to 100 mm are likely, with isolated falls up to 180 mm possible on the coastal fringe. HEAVY RAINFALL is expected to ease temporarily during this afternoon.
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is likely to re-develop later this evening along the coast between Rollingstone and Ayr including Townsville. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 80 to 150 mm are likely, with isolated falls in excess of 200 mm possible.
Flood Watches and Flood Warnings are current for Northern Queensland. Please refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts for more information.
Locations which may be affected include Townsville, Palm Island, Ayr, Rollingstone, Giru and Alva Beach.
80mm was recorded at Upper Stuart Creek (South of Townsville) in the 1 hour to 2:35am.

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 Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 5:00 pm AEST Thursday.
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

Marine Wind Warning Summary for Queensland

Issued at 10:20 AM EST on Thursday 01 January 2026
for the period until midnight EST Friday 02 January 2026

Wind Warnings for Thursday 01 January
Strong Wind Warning for the following areas:
Cairns Coast and Townsville Coast

Wind Warnings for Friday 02 January
Strong Wind Warning for the following areas:
Townsville Coast

The next marine wind warning summary will be issued by 3:00 pm EST Thursday.
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Check the latest Coastal Waters Forecast or Local
Waters Forecast at http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/forecasts/map.shtml for information on wind,
wave and weather conditions for these coastal zones.
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