Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 12:17 pm AEST on Sunday 25 January 2026

Flood Watch Number: 4

HEAVY RAINFALL AND RIVER LEVEL RISES OCCURRING ACROSS PARTS OF THE WESTERN CAPE YORK PENINSULA

INCREASED FLOODING POSSIBLE FROM ACROSS THE WESTERN CAPE YORK PENINSULA, AND EXTENDING TO GULF CATCHMENTS EARLY NEXT WEEK

FLOODING POSSIBLE ALONG THE NORTH EAST COASTAL RIVERS FROM EARLY MONDAY

A tropical low embedded within the monsoon trough has produced heavy rainfall across parts of Cape York. Major flooding is continuing at Magnificent Creek at Kowanyama.

Heavy rainfall is expected to continue over parts of Northern Queensland in the coming days. Rainfall is expected to continue across Cape York Peninsula catchments, extending into parts of Gulf of Carpentaria catchments early in the week. In addition, moderate to heavy rainfall is forecast for the north east coast from Sunday. Catchments in this region remain wet to saturated following recent rainfall and flooding, and further rainfall may result in rapid river rises and flooding, particularly in North-East Coastal catchments.

Catchments within the Flood Watch area are generally wet to saturated. Elevated river levels and areas of flooding are already occurring in some locations, and rivers and creeks are expected to respond quickly to any additional rainfall. New and renewed flooding is possible from Sunday and into early in the week across the Flood Watch area.

Catchments likely to be affected include:

Barron River
Mulgrave and Russell Rivers
Johnstone River
Tully River
Murray River
Herbert River
Black River
Ross and Bohle Rivers
Haughton River
Settlement Creek
Nicholson River
Leichhardt River
Upper Flinders River
Lower Flinders River
Cloncurry River
Norman River
Gilbert River
Staaten River
Mitchell River(major flooding occurring on Magnificent Creek)
Coleman and Edward Rivers
Holroyd and Kendall Rivers

Flood warnings are current for the following catchment(s) : Nicholson, Lower Flinders and Norman.

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