Major Flood Warning Issued for Flinders and Cloncurry Rivers in Queensland

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a Major Flood Warning (IDQ20878) for the Flinders River and a Flood Warning for the Cloncurry River. This update, issued at 10:48 am AEST on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, indicates that moderate rainfall in recent days has caused significant river level rises in the upper Flinders catchment.

Affected Areas

The warning covers several key locations along the Flinders and Cloncurry river systems, including:

• Flinders River: Richmond Post Office, Walkers Bend, Glendower Crossing, and Punchbowl.
• Cloncurry River: Elevated levels are occurring with renewed rises likely.
• Porcupine Creek: Mt Emu Plains.

What You Should Do

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

• Do not drive, walk, swim, or play in floodwater, as it is dangerous and conditions can change quickly.
• Stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams, and waterways.
• Obey all road closure signs and plan travel to avoid flooded roads.
• Monitor the ABC and local media for further updates.
• For emergency assistance, contact the SES at 132 500. In life-threatening emergencies, call 000 immediately.
• Visit www.disaster.qld.gov.au/warnings for local emergency management advice.

Expected Conditions

• Richmond Post Office: The river is estimated to be above the moderate flood level (6.00 m) and rising. It is likely to exceed the major flood level (8.00 m) Tuesday evening and may reach approximately 8.10 metres during Wednesday.
• Walkers Bend: Currently at 4.92 m and steady. It is expected to exceed the minor flood level (5.00 m) Tuesday afternoon and the moderate flood level (5.30 m) overnight Tuesday into Wednesday. Major flooding (8.00 m) is possible starting Thursday.
• Cloncurry River: Forecast rainfall is expected to cause renewed rises in already elevated river levels.

Timeline

• Tuesday evening, Feb 24: Major flooding likely to begin at Richmond Post Office.
• Wednesday, Feb 25: Peak levels expected at Richmond; moderate flooding possible at Walkers Bend.
• Thursday, Feb 26: Major flooding possible at Walkers Bend.
• Next Update: The BOM will issue the next warning by 12:00 PM AEST on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.