Major Flood Warning Issued for Thomson, Alice, and Barcoo Rivers and Cooper Creek in Queensland

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a Major Flood Warning (IDQ20860) for the Thomson, Alice, and Barcoo Rivers and Cooper Creek. This update, issued at 12:19 pm AEST on Thursday, March 12, 2026, indicates significant flooding is expected to continue or develop across several catchments in Queensland.

Affected Areas

The warning covers a broad geographic area, specifically targeting the following regions and waterways:

• Thomson River: Longreach, Camoola Park, Jundah, and Stonehenge.
• Alice River: Barcaldine and areas near the Capricorn Highway.
• Barcoo River: Isisford and Blackall.
• Cooper Creek: Windorah.
• Jordan Creek: Jericho.
• Upstream Catchments: Landsborough River, Cornish Creek, and Aramac Creek.

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected areas should monitor local weather conditions closely. The Bureau of Meteorology will continue to monitor the situation and update forecasts as upstream peaks are observed at locations such as Muttaburra. Residents are advised to stay informed through official channels as the situation evolves and river levels change.

Expected Conditions

• Thomson River at Longreach: Currently at 4.15 meters and steady. It is expected to exceed the moderate flood level (4.30m) overnight Thursday and the major flood level (5.30m) from late Friday. Levels may exceed 6.00 meters by late Saturday.
• Thomson River at Camoola Park: Currently at 5.00 meters and rising. It may exceed the major flood level (6.70m) overnight Thursday into Friday.
• Alice River at Barcaldine: Major flooding is possible during Thursday with a major flood peak possible overnight.
• Cooper Creek at Windorah: Major flooding is currently occurring. While the creek is near a peak and slowly receding, renewed rises are expected over the next one to two weeks.
• Other areas: Moderate flooding is continuing at Stonehenge, Jundah, and Jericho, while minor flooding is likely occurring at Blackall.

Timeline

The alert is effective immediately and remains active through at least 5:19 am AEST on March 15, 2026. Major flood peaks are expected at Barcaldine overnight Thursday, Camoola Park by Friday or Saturday, and a significant major peak is anticipated at Longreach as early as Sunday or early next week.