Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Heavy Rainfall Across Northern Queensland Districts

Alert Details

Type of Alert: Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Heavy Rainfall (IDQ21033)
Issued By: Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM)
Effective Time: Issued at 6:59 pm Monday, 16 February 2026; next update expected by 10:00 pm.

Affected Areas

The warning covers parts of the following forecast districts in Queensland:

• Peninsula
• North Tropical Coast and Tablelands
• Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders
• Herbert and Lower Burdekin

Specific locations that may be affected include Georgetown, Forsayth, Mount Garnet, Chillagoe, and Einasleigh. The Bureau noted that warnings for the Gulf Country and North West districts have been cancelled as severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in those areas.

What You Should Do

Emergency services advise residents in the warning area to take the following precautions:

• Seek Shelter: Go inside a strong building now and stay inside until the storm has passed.
• Protect Property: Park your car undercover and away from trees; close all doors and windows.
• Stay Informed: Tell friends, family, and neighbors in the area about the warning.
• Health and Safety: Keep asthma medications close by, as storms and wind can trigger attacks. Put pets in a safe place where they can be identified.
• Power and Communication: Charge mobile phones and power banks in case of power outages.
• Travel: Do not drive unless absolutely necessary, as conditions are dangerous.

Expected Conditions

A broad area of deep tropical moisture combined with multiple subtle trough systems is triggering clusters of slow-moving thunderstorms. These storms are producing localized areas of heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours.

Recent rainfall observations include:

• Lava Plains: 71 mm recorded in the 2 hours leading up to 6:30 pm.
• Upper Rudd Creek: 67 mm recorded in the 2 hours leading up to 6:30 pm.

Timeline

The warning was issued at 6:59 pm on February 16, 2026. The situation is being monitored, and the next formal warning update is scheduled to be issued by 10:00 pm. Residents are encouraged to monitor local TV and radio broadcasts for further developments.