Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Flood Watch for parts of the Cape York Peninsula and North Tropical Coast
Issued at 12:57 pm AEST on Monday 16 March 2026

Flood Watch Number: 15

FLOODING CONTINUES ACROSS PARTS OF FLOOD WATCH AREA

RENEWED FLOODING POSSIBLE LATER THIS WEEK ASSOCIATED WITH DEVELOPING TROPICAL LOW

A trough and moist tropical airmass across the southern Gulf of Carpentaria Coast and Cape York Peninsula in the past week led to moderate to locally heavy rainfall across parts of the Cape York Peninsula and Gulf Country. The rainfall has now eased and flood impacts will continue.

A tropical low (34U) has formed in the Coral Sea and is forecast to move westwards towards the Far North Queensland coast over the next few days. Heavy rainfall is forecast to redevelop across far northern parts of Queensland from around Thursday with the approach of the tropical low, which will lead to an increased risk of flooding.

Catchments across the Flood Watch area are saturated to wet from recent rainfall, and are expected to respond quickly to further heavy rainfall.

River level rises and localised flooding are possible in areas of heavy rainfall from Thursday. Disruption to transport routes is likely across parts of the Flood Watch area.

Widespread minor to major flooding continues across large parts of Queensland, with multiple Flood Warnings current.

Catchments likely to be affected include:

Jacky Jacky Creek

Olive and Pascoe Rivers

Lockhart River

Stewart River

Normanby River

Jeannie River

Endeavour River

Daintree River(flood warning current including the Bloomfield River)

Mossman River(flood warning current)

Staaten River

Mitchell River(elevated levels expected along Magnificent Creek at Kowanyama)

Coleman and Edward Rivers

Holroyd and Kendall Rivers

Archer and Coen Rivers

Watson River

Embley and Mission Rivers

Wenlock River

Ducie, Jackson and Skardon Rivers

Jardine River

Flood Warnings are current for the following catchment(s): Daintree and Mossman

Further flooding is no longer expected in the following catchment(s): Nicholson, Leichhardt and Cloncurry

For the latest flood and weather warnings see www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts

For the latest rainfall and river level information see www.bom.gov.au/australia/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.

Rainfall and River Conditions Map