Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders and Herbert and Lower Burdekin Forecast Districts.

Issued at 7:19 am Friday, 20 February 2026.

Slow moving showers and thunderstorms are producing heavy rainfall this morning for parts of the tropical coast.

Weather Situation: A trough of low pressure is directing moist onshore flow over the Herbert and Lower Burdekin producing persistent and slow moving showers and thunderstorms leading to heavy rainfall.

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 Townsville, Ayr, Greenvale, Rollingstone, Giru and Alva Beach.

Severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in the Central Coast and Whitsundays, Central Highlands and Coalfields and Central West districts and the warning for these districts is CANCELLED.

90 mm was recorded at Lolworth Creek in the 3 hours to 2:12am.

87 mm was recorded at Betanga Alert in the 6 hours to 1:20am.

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.