Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, Australia

Flood Watch For Coastal Rivers Between Daintree To Pioneer Rivers And The Cape York Peninsula
Issued at 12:10 PM AEST on Thursday 08 January 2026
Flood Watch Number: 20
MINOR TO MAJOR FLOODING POSSIBLE ACROSS COASTAL RIVERS BETWEEN THE DAINTREE AND PIONEER RIVERS AND THE CAPE YORK PENINSULA

Catchments likely to be affected include:
Jacky Jacky Creek
Olive and Pascoe Rivers
Lockhart River
Stewart River
Normanby River
Jeannie River
Endeavour River
Daintree River
Mossman River
Barron River
Mulgrave and Russell Rivers
Johnstone River
Tully River
Murray River
Black River
Ross and Bohle Rivers
Haughton River
Belyando and Suttor Rivers to Burdekin Falls Dam
Cape River to Burdekin Falls Dam
Burdekin River to Burdekin Falls Dam
Burdekin River downstream of Burdekin Falls Dam
Don and Proserpine Rivers
Pioneer River
Connors, Isaac and Styx Rivers and Plane Creek
Staaten River
Mitchell River
Coleman and Edward Rivers
Holroyd and Kendall Rivers
Archer and Coen Rivers
Watson River
Embley and Mission Rivers
Wenlock River
Ducie, Jackson and Skardon Rivers
Jardine River

Flood Warnings are current for the following catchment(s): Mulgrave and Russell, Herbert, Nicholson, Leichhardt, Upper Flinders, Lower Flinders, Norman, Gilbert, Georgina and Eyre, Diamantina and Thomson

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

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 Flood Watch will be issued by 01:00 PM AEST on Friday 09 January 2026.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, National Water Operations

Minor Flood Warning For The Upper Burdekin And Cape Rivers
Issued at 03:27 PM AEST on Tuesday 06 January 2026
Flood Warning Number: 6

MINOR FLOODING LIKELY AT TAEMAS AND POSSIBLE AT BURDEKIN DAM WEDNESDAY MORNING
RENEWED RISES AND MINOR FLOODING ARE POSSIBLE AT SELLHEIM LATER THIS WEEK
Moderate to heavy rainfall over the weekend has caused river level rises across the upper Burdekin River and its tributaries.
A moderate peak was observed Sunday night along the Cape River at Pentland. Further downstream at Taemas, minor flooding is likely to develop from Wednesday morning, with further rises possible as inflows arrive from multiple tributaries.
Along the upper Burdekin River, Sellheim peaked just below the minor flood level overnight Monday. Renewed rises and minor flooding are possible at Sellheim from later this week as upstream flows arrive. Further downstream, minor flooding is possible at Burdekin Dam from Wednesday morning.
Further showers and storms are forecast across the catchment through to midweek. This situation is being closely monitored, and warnings will be updated as necessary.
A Flood Watch is current for adjoining catchments.

Cape River to Burdekin Falls Dam:
Minor flooding is likely along the Cape River at Taemas.
The Cape River at Taemas is currently at 3.86 m and rising, below the minor flood level.
The Cape River at Taemas is likely to exceed the minor flood level (5.00 m) Wednesday morning. Further rises are possible as upstream flows arrive.

Burdekin River to Burdekin Falls Dam:
Renewed rises and minor flooding are possible along the upper Burdekin River at Sellheim. Minor flooding is possible at Burdekin Dam.
The Burdekin River at Sellheim is currently at 9.15 m and falling, below the minor flood level.
Renewed rises and minor flooding (12.00 m) are possible along the Burdekin River at Sellheim later this week as upstream flows arrive.

The Burdekin Dam is currently at 2.30 m and steady, below the minor flood level.
The Burdekin Dam may reach around the minor flood level (3.00 m) Wednesday morning.

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 10:30 AM AEST on Wednesday 07 January 2026.

Latest River Heights:
Burdekin River at Mt Fullstop,5.31,falling,2:00 pm Tue 06/01/26
Paluma Dam,-0.63,steady,2:42 pm Tue 06/01/26
Running River at Mt Bradley,2.06,falling,2:00 pm Tue 06/01/26
Star River at Laroona,4.52,falling,2:00 pm Tue 06/01/26
Burdekin River at Gainsford,7.72,falling,2:00 pm Tue 06/01/26
Keelbottom Creek at Keelbottom,1.89,steady,2:00 pm Tue 06/01/26
Burdekin River at Sellheim,9.15,falling,3:04 pm Tue 06/01/26
Alpha Creek at Rivington,0.12,steady,12:58 pm Tue 06/01/26
Belyando River at Albro Station,0.50,steady,9:00 am Wed 31/12/25
Belyando River at Belyando Crossing,1.50,rising,2:00 pm Tue 06/01/26
Suttor River at St Anns,1.17,steady,2:00 pm Tue 06/01/26
Cape River at Pentland,2.42,steady,2:00 pm Tue 06/01/26
Cape River at Taemas,3.86,rising,1:45 pm Tue 06/01/26
Burdekin Dam,2.30,steady,3:00 pm Tue 06/01/26
Bowen River at Myuna,0.70,steady,2:00 pm Tue 06/01/26
Burdekin River at Dalbeg,7.08,rising,3:02 pm Tue 06/01/26
Bogie River at Strathbogie,1.12,steady,1:51 pm Tue 06/01/26
Burdekin River at Millaroo,6.40,rising,2:50 pm Tue 06/01/26
Burdekin River at Clare,5.70,rising,2:41 pm Tue 06/01/26
Burdekin River at Inkerman Bridge,4.25,rising,2:35 pm Tue 06/01/26
Burdekin River at Rita Island,-3.20,steady,3:06 pm Tue 06/01/26
Burdekin River at Groper Creek,1.04,falling,3:13 pm Tue 06/01/26

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.