Flood Watch Issued for Gilbert, Mitchell, and Staaten River Catchments in Queensland

Source: BOM · Gulf of Carpentaria and Cape York Peninsula

This alert is no longer in effect.

BOM issued it on April 6, 2026, 4 months ago. Warnings of this kind stay in effect for hours to a few days, so this page is a historical record of what was issued, not a current warning. For conditions where you are right now, check weather.gov (US), weather.gc.ca (Canada), the Met Office (UK), or the Bureau of Meteorology (Australia).

Areazine synthesizes this BoM weather warning directly from BOM's official public data feed. See our methodology for full source attribution and refresh cadence.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a flood watch for the Gulf of Carpentaria and Cape York Peninsula as heavy rain continues to threaten already saturated catchments through Friday.

Read this weather record in 30 seconds

Record type
Flood Watch
Affected area
Gulf of Carpentaria and Cape York Peninsula
Issued
April 6, 2026
Issuing authority
BOM

Flood notices turn on location and timing. Treat the named area as this record's scope; do not assume nearby counties, parishes, or waterways were included.

Record status: historical. It was issued 4 months ago; use the issuing agency's live warning service for current conditions in Gulf of Carpentaria and Cape York Peninsula.

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a Flood Watch (IDQ20900) for parts of the Gulf of Carpentaria and Cape York Peninsula. This alert provides early advice of possible flooding within specified catchments due to persistent weather conditions.

Affected Areas

The following catchments in Queensland are likely to be affected:

  • Gilbert River
  • Staaten River
  • Mitchell River: This includes Magnificent Creek at Kowanyama, where moderate flooding is currently estimated to be occurring.

What You Should Do

Residents are urged to prioritize safety and follow these guidelines:

  • Do not drive, walk, swim, or play in floodwater; it is dangerous.
  • Stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams, and waterways.
  • Obey all road closure signs and plan travel ahead to avoid flooded roads.
  • Monitor the ABC and local media for updates.
  • For emergency assistance, call the SES at 132 500. In life-threatening emergencies, call 000 immediately.

Expected Conditions

Showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue through Friday across the watch area, bringing moderate to locally heavy rainfall. Catchments are currently wet to very wet following recent rainfall, and river levels remain elevated. Further rises and additional flooding are possible over the next few days. Areas receiving the heaviest rainfall may experience rapid river level rises and flash flooding. Road closures and community isolation are already occurring in some areas.

Timeline

The flood threat is expected to continue through Friday, February 27, 2026. This Flood Watch was issued at 12:13 pm AEST on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. The Bureau of Meteorology expects to issue the next update by 2:00 PM AEST on Thursday, February 26, 2026.

Original source: BOM Official Notice ↗

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this BoM weather warning.

What is this BoM weather warning about?
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a flood watch for the Gulf of Carpentaria and Cape York Peninsula as heavy rain continues to threaten already saturated catchments through Friday.
Which agency issued this alert?
This alert was issued by BOM. The original notice is available at the source link at the bottom of this article.
How severe is this alert?
This alert is classified as "medium" severity. Stay informed and follow agency guidance.
What area is affected?
This alert affects Gulf of Carpentaria and Cape York Peninsula. Check with BOM for the most current geographic scope.
Where can I find more Weather Warnings updates?
Browse the full Weather Warnings feed on Areazine at areazine.com/au/weather/ for the latest updates from BOM and other agencies.