Flood Watch Issued for North Tropical Coast and Cape York Peninsula as Tropical Low 29U Approaches

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a Flood Watch (IDQ20900) for the North Tropical Coast and parts of the Cape York Peninsula, Central Coast, Capricornia, and Carpentaria catchments. This alert serves as early advice for possible flooding across multiple river systems in Queensland.

Affected Areas

The watch covers an extensive list of catchments, including:

• North Tropical Coast & Cape York: Normanby, Jeannie, Endeavour, Daintree, Barron, Mulgrave, Russell, Johnstone, Tully, Murray, and Herbert Rivers.
• Gulf Country & Peninsula: Archer, Coen, Watson, Embley, Mission, Wenlock, Coleman, Edward, Holroyd, Kendall, Staaten, Gilbert, and Mitchell Rivers.
• Central & Inland: Belyando and Suttor Rivers, Cape River, Burdekin River, Don and Proserpine Rivers, Pioneer River, and the Connors, Isaac, and Styx Rivers.
• Other regions: Black River (including Bluewater Creek), Ross and Bohle Rivers, Haughton River, Settlement Creek, and the Upper Flinders River.

What You Should Do

The Bureau of Meteorology advises residents and travelers to stay informed of the latest conditions. Safety guidelines include:

• Do not drive, walk, swim, or play in floodwater; it is dangerous and potentially life-threatening.
• Monitor transport routes as disruptions are likely across the affected areas.
• Stay updated via the BOM website for further flood and weather warnings.

Expected Conditions

Tropical Low 29U is approaching the northeast coast, bringing the potential for heavy to locally intense rainfall on Thursday and Friday. Because many catchments are already wet or saturated from recent rain, further precipitation is likely to cause rapid river level rises. Moderate flooding is already occurring along Magnificent Creek at Kowanyama. After the tropical low crosses the coast, moderate to locally heavy rainfall is possible in eastern and central districts on the weekend and Monday.

Timeline

The Flood Watch was issued at 12:07 pm AEST on Thursday, March 5, 2026. Heavy rain is expected to persist through the remainder of the week and into the weekend. The tropical low is forecast to cross the coast on Friday. Rainfall may extend into South East Queensland through Monday, though future movements of the system remain uncertain.