Warnings

Initial Minor Flood Warning For The Johnstone River Fri 09 Jan 2026

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, National Water Operations
  
Initial Minor Flood Warning For The Johnstone River 
Issued at 10:48 AM AEST on Friday 09 January 2026
Flood Warning Number: 1

MINOR FLOODING POSSIBLE IN THE JOHNSTONE RIVER OVERNIGHT FRIDAY INTO SATURDAY
 Heavy rainfall is forecast to develop across the Johnstone River catchment from overnight Friday into Saturday. The timing and the location of the heaviest falls will depend on the development and track of the tropical low. The rainfall is likely to result in river level rises across the catchment, where minor flooding is possible at McAvoy Bridge, Mourilyan Mill and Innisfail Wharf from overnight Friday into Saturday.
 This situation is being closely monitored, and this warning will be updated as required.
 A Flood Watch is current for the Johnstone River catchments. A Severe Weather Warning for heavy to locally intense rainfall is current for the Johnstone River catchment.

North Johnstone:
Minor flooding is possible along the North Johnstone River overnight Friday into Saturday.
The North Johnstone River at McAvoy Bridge is currently at 1.20 m AHD and steady, below the minor flood level.
The North Johnstone River at McAvoy Bridge may reach around the minor flood level (5.00 m AHD) overnight Friday into Saturday. Further river level rises are possible with forecast rainfall.

South Johnstone:
Minor flooding is possible along the South Johnstone River overnight Friday into Saturday.
No observations are currently available for the South Johnstone River at Mourilyan Mill, however, the river level is expected to be below the minor flood level (8.00m).
The South Johnstone River at Mourilyan Mill may reach around the minor flood level (8.00 m) overnight Friday into Saturday. Further river level rises are possible with forecast rainfall. 

Johnstone River:
Minor flooding is possible along the Johnstone River overnight Friday into Saturday.
No observations are currently available for the Johnstone River at Innisfail Wharf, however, the river level is expected to be below the minor flood level (5.00m).
The Johnstone River at Innisfail Wharf may reach around the minor flood level (5.00 m) overnight Friday into Saturday. Further river level rises are possible with forecast rainfall. 

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 Saturday 10 January 2026.

Latest River Heights:
North Johnstone River at Glen Allyn,2.38,steady,10:09 am Fri 09/01/26
North Johnstone River at Nerada,2.59,rising,9:53 am Fri 09/01/26
North Johnstone River at Tung Oil,2.85,rising,9:43 am Fri 09/01/26
North Johnstone River at McAvoy Bridge,1.25,steady,10:16 am Fri 09/01/26
South Johnstone River at Corsis,1.74,steady,9:09 am Fri 09/01/26
Mourilyan Harbour,2.23,rising,10:03 am Fri 09/01/26

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.