Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 12:49 pm AEST on Thursday 29 January 2026 Flood Watch Number: 9

RIVER LEVEL RISES AND FLOODING OCCURRING ACROSS PARTS OF THE CAPE YORK PENINSULA AND GULF COUNTRY FURTHER FLOODING POSSIBLE IN FAR NORTHERN QUEENSLAND OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS

A trough extends over northern Cape York Peninsula into weak tropical low 18U.
The low will most likely linger over the Northern Territory or the Gulf of Carpentaria for several days. Moderate to heavy rainfall may persist in the Gulf Country and western Peninsula for several days. The location of the heaviest falls is dependent on the movement of the tropical low.

Catchments in northern Queensland remain wet to saturated with areas of flooding already occurring following recent rainfall. Further rainfall may result in rapid river level rises and flooding across the Flood Watch area over the next few days.

Catchments likely to be affected include:

Lockhart River

Stewart River

Normanby River

Jeannie River

Endeavour River

Settlement Creek

Leichhardt River

Cloncurry River

Staaten River

Mitchell River (Minor flooding is occurring along
Magnificent Creek at Kowanyama)

Coleman and Edward Rivers

Holroyd and Kendall Rivers

Archer and Coen Rivers

Watson River

Embley and Mission Rivers

Wenlock River

Flood warnings are current for the following catchments: Murray, Herbert, Nicholson, Upper Flinders, Lower Flinders, Norman and Gilbert, Thomson, Barcoo and Cooper Creek, Diamantina, Georgina 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

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.



Rainfall and River Conditions Map