Flood Watch Issued for Gulf of Carpentaria and Cape York Peninsula River Catchments

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued Flood Watch Number 14 for parts of the Gulf of Carpentaria and Cape York Peninsula. This alert serves as early advice for possible flooding within specified catchments due to ongoing weather patterns.

Affected Areas

The flood watch specifically identifies the following catchments likely to be impacted:

• Nicholson River
• Leichhardt River
• Gilbert River
• Staaten River
• Mitchell River (including Magnificent Creek at Kowanyama, where major flooding is currently occurring)

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected areas are advised to take the following safety precautions:

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

Expected Conditions

Showers and thunderstorms are forecast to continue for several days across the watch area, bringing moderate to locally heavy rainfall. Because catchments are already relatively wet to very wet from recent rain, river and creek levels remain elevated. Further river level rises and additional areas of flooding are possible. Areas receiving the heaviest rainfall may experience rapid river level rises and flash flooding. Current conditions have already resulted in road closures and community isolation in some regions.

Timeline

The alert was issued at 1:20 pm AEST on Sunday, February 22, 2026. Flooding is expected to continue over the next few days. The Bureau of Meteorology will monitor the situation closely and intends to issue the next update by 2:00 pm AEST on Monday, February 23, 2026.