Moderate Flood Warning Issued for Flinders River at Richmond and Downstream Areas

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a Moderate Flood Warning (IDQ20878) for the Flinders River. This is the seventh warning issued for this event, effective as of 10:27 am AEST on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the Flinders River at Richmond Post Office, the Flinders River to Richmond, and the Flinders River downstream of Richmond. Specific monitoring points with reported activity include:

• Flinders River at Glendower Crossing, Punchbowl, Etta Plains, and Walkers Bend
• Porcupine Creek at Mt Emu Plains
• Julia Creek
• Gilliat River at Wills Development Road
• Cloncurry River at Cloncurry and Canobie

What You Should Do

Residents are advised not to 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. For emergency assistance, contact the SES at 132 500. In life-threatening emergencies, call 000 immediately. Residents should monitor ABC and local media for updates and visit www.disaster.qld.gov.au/warnings for local emergency management advice.

Expected Conditions

Moderate flooding is currently occurring along the Flinders River at Richmond Post Office and the Flinders River to Richmond. While no direct observations are available for the Richmond Post Office gauge, nearby automatic gauges indicate levels are above the moderate flood level and relatively steady. Further showers and storms are forecast over the next few days, which may cause additional river level rises. Upstream flows are also causing elevated levels and rises downstream of Richmond.

As of 9:00 am Tuesday, rising river levels were specifically noted at Porcupine Creek at Mt Emu Plains (2.31 m), Flinders River at Etta Plains (2.74 m), and Gilliat River at Wills Development Road (5.59 m).

Timeline

The warning was issued at 10:27 am AEST on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. River levels at Richmond Post Office are expected to remain steady for the remainder of Tuesday and into Wednesday, with potential small rises as upstream flows arrive. The Bureau of Meteorology expects to issue the next update by 11:00 am AEST on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.