Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in Herbert and Lower Burdekin and parts of North Tropical Coast and Tablelands, Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, Central Coast and Whitsundays and Central Highlands and Coalfields Forecast Districts.

Issued at 11:21 am Thursday, 27 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 tonight and through Thursday whilst shifting north on Friday.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast to continue over coastal communities and islands between roughly Cardwell to Bowen extending inland to Charters Towers through Thursday. The heavy rain risk is focused initially across the south of the warning area, but is expected to gradually migrate northwards Friday. 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 Cassowary Coast through Friday.

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, Ayr, Bowen, Charters Towers, Collinsville, Giru and Lucinda.

208 mm of rain was recorded at Bowen over a period of 6 hours to 0620 AM.

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.