Monsoon Rains Bring Flooding to Queensland

First, for north-west Queensland that warning extends from the Gulf Coast and down into the north-west of the state, including Mount Isa, Cloncurry and Julia Creek, and through this area peak six-hourly rainfall totals from Sunday could be between 75 to 120 mm. Additionally, we could also see thunderstorms within this area, delivering even higher rainfall totals as well as damaging winds.

On the north-east tropical coast, there is a warning that extends from Cairns and down to, but not including, Townsville. For this stretch of the coast, peak six-hourly rainfall totals will build from Sunday night into Monday and could reach between 120 to 200 mm, and again, thunderstorms could deliver even higher rainfall totals. We are expecting heavy rain to continue into Monday and possibly even beyond.

And although we only have two severe weather warning areas across Queensland, we are expecting widespread rain with the monsoon trough and monsoon low. And because of that, we do have a flood watch which covers much of the state. We can see that here in the blue shades, extending all the way from Mackay, up towards Townsville and Cairns, back into the north-west of Queensland, and even into eastern parts of the Northern Territory. Through this area here, that flood watch acts as a heads-up for potential future flooding.

We've also issued a number of flood warnings for expected or likely flooding. Having a look at these, major flood warning for the Flinders River, and flooding is already occurring at Richmond. Moderate flood warnings for the Cloncurry and Western rivers, and a mix of minor, to general flood warnings for other areas. And what you see here is dynamic and will change over the next few days. So make sure you have the latest information for where you are, or if you are travelling this holiday period.

So what sorts of impacts can we expect? With heavy rain leading to flash and riverine flooding that will pose a risk to property and life so make sure you follow all the advice from your local authorities. Additionally, heavy rainfall will lead to road closures and community isolation, and this could last for quite some period of time, especially for outback and more remote communities. As well we are expecting impacts to agriculture, particularly to cattle and livestock, with low temperatures and floodwaters expected to last for an extended period of time.

So just how much rainfall are we expecting? This map here shows the 24-hour rainfall accumulations out to Sunday night, and we can see it very much focusing across the north-west of Queensland and also the north-east tropical coast, trying to build as we head into Sunday night. If we add on another 24 hours, we can see rainfall totals climbing very quickly, especially through the western part of Queensland. We can see these darker purple shades coming online, indicating rainfall totals of between 200 to 300 mm, and even in excess of 300 mm in some areas.

Rainfall also building along that tropical north-east coast. By Tuesday night, we will see those totals build even further, even stretching down into the Channel Country and into places like Longreach, and again really increasing across that tropical north-east coast. And then by Wednesday, we do see those rainfall totals reach in excess of 300 mm for much of western Queensland. Even in excess of 600 mm is possible in isolated areas.

And across the north-east tropical coast, out to Wednesday night, we are expecting those four-day totals to reach in excess, even breaching, 700 mm. And rainfall won't end there. We are expecting that monsoon low and trough to continue moving across eastern parts of Queensland, but we'll have a better idea of where rainfall is expected, typically through the second half of this week.

So with heavy rainfall to come and widespread flooding, it is important that you have the latest information from the Bureau's website and app, follow us on social media. And as always, please stay safe.