Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, National Water Operations
Major Flood Warning For The Cape River And Minor Flood Warning For The Suttor And Burdekin Rivers
Issued at 04:52 PM AEST on Saturday 21 February 2026
Flood Warning Number: 9
MAJOR FLOODING OCCURRING AT TAEMAS
MINOR FLOODING OCCURRING AT ST ANNS AND POSSIBLE AT BURDEKIN FALLS DAM, DALBEG, CLARE AND INKERMAN BRIDGE (BURDEKIN BRIDGE) FROM SATURDAY NIGHT
Moderate to heavy rainfall during the last few days has caused river level rises along the Cape, Belyando, Suttor and Lower Burdekin Rivers.
Major flooding is occurring along the Cape River at Taemas and minor flooding is occurring along the Suttor River at St Anns. As these flows move downstream minor flooding is possible at Burdekin Falls Dam and Dalbeg overnight Saturday and at Clare and Inkerman Bridge (Burdekin Bridge) from Sunday morning.
Further showers and thunderstorms are forecast across the catchment over the next few days, which may cause additional river level rises across the Burdekin River catchment. The situation is being monitored, and this warning will be updated as required.
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning for heavy rain is current for parts of the upper Burdekin catchment.
Belyando and Suttor Rivers to Burdekin Falls Dam:
Minor flooding is occurring at St Anns.
The Suttor River at St Anns is currently at 4.12 m and rising slowly, with minor flooding.
The Suttor River at St Anns may remain above the minor flood level (4.00 m) for the next few days.
Cape River to Burdekin Falls Dam:
Major flooding is occurring at Taemas.
The Cape River at Taemas is currently at 8.81 m and rising, with major flooding.
The Cape River at Taemas is expected to remain above the major flood level (8.00 m) for the remainder of Saturday into Sunday.
Burdekin River to Burdekin Falls Dam:
Minor flooding is possible at Burdekin Falls Dam.
The Burdekin Dam is currently at 2.49 m and steady, below the minor flood level.
The Burdekin Dam may exceed the minor flood level (3.00 m) overnight Saturday into Sunday. The water level may reach around 3.50 m overnight Sunday into Monday, with minor flooding. Further rises are possible.
Burdekin River downstream of Burdekin Falls Dam:
Minor flooding is possible downstream of Burdekin Falls Dam.
The Burdekin River at Dalbeg is currently at 8.93 m and steady, below the minor flood level.
The Burdekin River at Dalbeg is likely to exceed the minor flood level (10.00 m) overnight Saturday into Sunday. The river may reach around 12.00 m overnight Sunday into Monday, with minor flooding. Further rises are possible.
The Burdekin River at Clare is currently at 8.25 m and steady, below the minor flood level.
The Burdekin River at Clare may exceed the minor flood level (9.00 m) Sunday morning. The river may reach around 9.50 m during Monday, with minor flooding. Further rises are possible.
The Burdekin River at Inkerman Bridge (Burdekin Bridge) is currently at 6.05 m and rising slowly, below the minor flood level.
The Burdekin River at Inkerman Bridge (Burdekin Bridge) may exceed the minor flood level (7.00 m) Sunday morning. The river may reach around 7.50 m during Monday, with minor flooding. 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 11:00 AM AEST on Sunday 22 February 2026.
Latest River Heights:
Cape River at Pentland,2.53,falling,4:15 pm Sat 21/02/26
Cape River at Taemas,8.81,rising,4:32 pm Sat 21/02/26
Burdekin Dam,2.49,steady,4:00 pm Sat 21/02/26
Burdekin River at Dalbeg,8.93,steady,4:05 pm Sat 21/02/26
Burdekin River at Clare,8.25,steady,4:42 pm Sat 21/02/26
Burdekin River at Inkerman Bridge,6.10,rising,4:18 pm Sat 21/02/26
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.
Forecast
Bowen (20.0121°S, 148.2463°E, 13m AMSL) set as my default location ›
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Seven day forecast
Today: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the late morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm in the N in the morning and afternoon. Winds E/SE 15 to 25 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to the low 20s with daytime temperatures reaching around 30.
Forecast for Bowen (20.0121°S, 148.2463°E, 13m AMSL) Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Summary
Minimum 24° 24° 24° 24° 24° 24° 24° Maximum 31° 32° 32° 32° 31° 31° 31° Chance of rain 70% 60% 50% 70% 70% 90% 90% Likely amount 1-5mm 1-5mm 1-5mm 1-5mm 10-20mm 20-40mm 10-20mm UV index Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Fire Danger Rating No Rating No Rating No Rating No Rating - - - Frost risk Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm Wind speed 16
(km/h)21
(km/h)15
(km/h)20
(km/h)20
(km/h)24
(km/h)20
(km/h)22
(km/h)18
(km/h)20
(km/h)17
(km/h)19
(km/h)13
(km/h)18
(km/h)Wind direction SE ESE SE ESE SE ESE SE SE SE ESE SE E E E Relative humidity 86% 79% 84% 77% 83% 75% 83% 75% 84% 77% 86% 82% 87% 82% Dew point 26°C 26°C 26°C 27°C 26°C 26°C 26°C 26°C 26°C 26°C 26°C 27°C 26°C 27°C -
Warnings
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Sunrise and sunset times
Sunrise / Sunset for Bowen (20.0121°S, 148.2463°E, 13m AMSL) First light Sunrise Sunset Last light Moon rise Moon set Moon phase First quarter Full moon Last quarter New moon 5:39am EST 6:02am EST 6:40pm EST 7:02pm EST 10:10am EST 9:43pm EST
Waxing crescent
First quarter Feb 24 Full moon Mar 03 Last quarter Mar 11 New moon Mar 19 -
Temperature for next 5 days
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Rain for next 5 days