Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of North Tropical Coast and Tablelands and Herbert and Lower Burdekin Forecast Districts.

Issued at 4:44 am Friday, 28 January 2022.

Heavy rainfall developing over northeast coastal areas.

Weather Situation: A local area of converging winds associated with the monsoon trough is currently located over coastal areas of the northeast tropical coast. This system is forecast to remain slow-moving this morning before shifting slowly northwards later today.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast to develop over coastal communities and islands between roughly Innisfail and Ayr, extending inland to Charters Towers. The heavy rain risk will be focused initially across the south of the warning area, but is expected to gradually migrate northwards today. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 140 and 180 mm are likely within the warning area with higher falls possible locally.

Areas of HEAVY RAINFALL may extend northward over the North Tropical Coast later today.

A Flood Watch for the area is also current, please refer to http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings/ for more information.

Locations which may be affected include Townsville, Palm Island, Ingham, Rollingstone, Cardwell, Tully, Giru and Lucinda.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advises that people should:
* Never drive, walk or ride through flood waters. If it's flooded, forget it.
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.