Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 12:53 pm EST on Wednesday 29 December 2021 Flood Watch Number: 4

MINOR FLOODING POSSIBLE FROM LATE WEDNESDAY ACROSS PARTS OF THE FLOOD WATCH AREA

A tropical low associated with the monsoon trough over northern Australia is forecast to move east across the Cape York Peninsula from Wednesday afternoon before moving offshore into the Coral Sea during Thursday afternoon.

The areas of heaviest rainfall are forecast to affect the eastern coastal catchments later Wednesday and overnight into Thursday.

Widespread significant rainfall totals are now less likely due to the relatively fast movement of the tropical low but very heavy localised rainfall remains likely. Rainfall is expected to ease from Thursday afternoon as the tropical low moves offshore.

Rainfall has fallen across most of the catchments within the Flood Watch area over recent days, with over 200 mm locally across parts of the western Cape York Peninsula. Most catchments are not yet saturated which will limit their initial response to rainfall. However, river level rises above the minor flood level are possible from late Wednesday in the areas of heaviest rainfall, especially across some of the smaller coastal catchments. Widespread riverine flooding is no longer expected.

Localised flooding and disruption to transport routes are likely across parts of the Flood Watch area.

Catchments likely to be affected include:

Norman River

Gilbert River

Jardine River

Ducie, Jackson and Skardon Rivers

Wenlock River

Embley and Mission Rivers

Watson River

Archer and Coen Rivers

Holroyd and Kendall Rivers

Coleman and Edward Rivers

Mitchell River

Staaten River

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

Herbert River

Black River

Ross and Bohle Rivers

Haughton River

Don and Proserpine Rivers

Flooding is no longer expected in the following catchments: Settlement Creek, Nicholson River, Leichhardt River, Upper Flinders River, Cloncurry River, Lower Flinders River.

See www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings to view the current flood and cyclone products for Queensland.
For more information on the Flood Watch Service:
http://www.bom.gov.au/water/floods/floodWarningServices.shtml

Flood Safety Advice:
This Flood Watch means that people living or working along rivers and creeks should monitor the latest weather forecasts and warnings.
Remember: If it's flooded, forget it.

For flood emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.
For life threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Current emergency information is available at www.qld.gov.au/alerts.
This advice is also available by dialling 1300 659 219 at a low call cost of
27.5 cents, more from mobile, public and satellite phones.
Warning, rainfall and river information are available at www.bom.gov.au/qld/flood/


Rainfall and River Conditions Map