Major Flood Warning Issued for Flinders River; Minor Flooding Possible for Cloncurry River

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a Major Flood Warning for the Flinders River and a Minor Flood Warning for the Cloncurry River. This is warning number 10 for this event, issued at 10:51 am AEST on Friday, February 20, 2026.

Affected Areas

The warning covers several geographic points and stretches of river in Queensland, including:

• Flinders River: Richmond Post Office, Walkers Bend, and areas downstream of Richmond.
• Cloncurry River: The township of Cloncurry.

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 to avoid flooded roads.
• Monitor the ABC and local media for updates as the situation can change quickly.
• For emergency assistance, contact the SES at 132 500. In life-threatening emergencies, call emergency services immediately.
• Local emergency management warnings are available at www.disaster.qld.gov.au/warnings.

Expected Conditions

Recent moderate rainfall over the upper Flinders catchment has caused significant river level rises.

• Flinders River at Richmond Post Office: Currently estimated to be above the moderate flood level. It may reach the major flood level of 8.00 meters during Saturday.
• Flinders River at Walkers Bend: Currently at 3.70 meters and rising. It is expected to exceed the minor flood level (5.00 m) overnight Saturday, the moderate flood level (5.30 m) Sunday afternoon, and may reach the major flood level (8.00 m) around Wednesday, February 25.
• Cloncurry River at Cloncurry: Currently at 1.91 meters and rising. It may reach the minor flood level (3.00 m) on Friday evening.

Further showers and storms are forecast over the next few days, which may cause additional river level rises across the catchment.

Timeline

• Friday Evening: Minor flooding possible at Cloncurry.
• Saturday: Major flooding possible at Richmond Post Office.
• Overnight Saturday into Sunday: Minor flood levels expected at Walkers Bend.
• Sunday Afternoon: Moderate flood levels expected at Walkers Bend.
• Wednesday, Feb 25: Major flooding possible at Walkers Bend.