Forecast

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 10:56 pm Thursday, 1 January 2026.

Heavy rainfall becoming more likely along the coast overnight.

Weather Situation
Converging winds positioned southeast of Townsville are combining with a very humid airmass to bring areas of heavy rain near the coast. This convergence has started to move back towards the northwest along the coast, to be positioned around Townsville tonight.
HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
Herbert and Lower Burdekin
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is likely to re-develop late this evening and during Friday morning along the coast between Ingham and Ayr, including Townsville. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 80 to 150 mm are likely, with isolated falls in excess of 200 mm possible.
A temporary easing in rainfall may occur during Friday afternoon, with heavier falls likely returning to parts of the Herbert and Lower Burdekin coastline during Friday evening.
Separate Severe Thunderstorm and Flood Watches and/or Warnings are current at the time of issue. 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.
152 mm was recorded at Giru in the 3 hours to 2:59pm.

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 am AEST Friday.
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 10:56 pm Thursday, 1 January 2026.

Heavy rainfall becoming more likely along the coast overnight.

Weather Situation
Converging winds positioned southeast of Townsville are combining with a very humid airmass to bring areas of heavy rain near the coast. This convergence has started to move back towards the northwest along the coast, to be positioned around Townsville tonight.
HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
Herbert and Lower Burdekin
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is likely to re-develop late this evening and during Friday morning along the coast between Ingham and Ayr, including Townsville. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 80 to 150 mm are likely, with isolated falls in excess of 200 mm possible.
A temporary easing in rainfall may occur during Friday afternoon, with heavier falls likely returning to parts of the Herbert and Lower Burdekin coastline during Friday evening.
Separate Severe Thunderstorm and Flood Watches and/or Warnings are current at the time of issue. 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.
152 mm was recorded at Giru in the 3 hours to 2:59pm.

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 am AEST Friday.
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

Moderate Flood Warning For The Haughton River Catchment
Issued at 07:17 PM AEST on Thursday 01 January 2026
Flood Warning Number: 3

MODERATE FLOODING LIKELY AT GIRU THURSDAY EVENING
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. Moderate flooding is likely to develop along the Haughton River at Giru on Thursday evening, with further rises possible.
River level rises have also been observed along Alligator Creek, which peaked near the moderate flood level (6.0 m) around 2:00 pm Thursday. Minor flooding is currently occurring along Alligator Creek.
A Severe Weather Warning for heavy rainfall is current for the Haughton catchment, and a Flood Watch is current for adjoining catchments

Major Creek:
River levels are elevated with further rises expected along Major Creek
Haughton River:
Moderate flooding is likely along the Haughton River.
The Haughton River at Giru is currently at 1.63 m and rising, below the minor flood level.
The Haughton River at Giru is expected to exceed the minor flood level (1.80 m) Thursday evening. The river is likely to exceed the moderate flood level (2.10 m) Thursday evening. The river may reach around 2.30 m overnight Thursday into Friday, with moderate flooding. Further rises are possible with forecast rain.

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 AM AEST on Friday 02 January 2026.

Latest River Heights:
Haughton River at Mt Piccaninny,0.85,falling,7:00 pm Thu 01/01/26
Major Creek upstream Haughton River,7.55,rising,6:00 pm Thu 01/01/26
Haughton River at Powerline,5.30,rising,7:10 pm Thu 01/01/26
Haughton River at Giru,1.63,rising,7:14 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.