Major Flood Warning Issued for Flinders River and Cloncurry River

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a Major Flood Warning for the Flinders River and a Flood Warning for the Cloncurry River. This update (Warning Number 12) was issued at 10:56 am AEST on Sunday, February 22, 2026, following recent moderate rainfall over the upper Flinders catchment.

Affected Areas

The warning impacts several geographic regions within Queensland, including:

• Flinders River to Richmond
• Flinders River downstream of Richmond
• Walkers Bend
• Cloncurry River

Expected Conditions

Significant river level rises are occurring due to recent rainfall and upstream flows. Specific conditions include:

• Flinders River at Richmond Post Office: Major flooding is likely. The river is expected to exceed the major flood level (8.00 m) on Sunday evening and may reach approximately 8.30 metres by Monday.
• Flinders River at Walkers Bend: Currently at 4.19 m, the river is likely to exceed the minor flood level (5.00 m) Sunday evening and the moderate flood level (5.30 m) overnight Sunday into Monday. Major flooding (8.00 m) is possible around Wednesday.
• Cloncurry River: Elevated river levels are present, with renewed rises possible on Monday.
• Weather Forecast: Further showers and storms are forecast over the next few days, which may cause additional river level rises across the catchment.

Timeline

The alert is effective immediately and remains active as river levels rise. Major flooding is expected at Richmond starting Sunday evening, February 22, and at Walkers Bend by Wednesday, February 25. The next official update from the BOM is scheduled for 11:00 am AEST on Monday, February 23.

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected areas should prioritize safety and follow these instructions:

• 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 the ABC and local media for the latest 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.