Widespread Flood Watch Issued for Most of Queensland as Tropical Low 29U Approaches

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a Flood Watch (IDQ20900) for most of Queensland. This alert serves as early advice for possible flooding within specified catchments across the state and into parts of New South Wales.

Affected Areas

The watch covers a vast geographic area including most of Queensland. Specific catchments likely to be affected include:

• Northern Regions: Archer, Coen, Barron, Daintree, Endeavour, Herbert, Johnstone, Mulgrave, Russell, and Tully Rivers.
• Central and Interior: Burdekin, Fitzroy, Pioneer, Ross, Bohle, Belyando, Suttor, and Don Rivers.
• Southern and South East: Brisbane (Upper and Lower), Logan, Albert, Mary, Noosa, Pine, Caboolture, Gold Coast Rivers and Creeks, and Sunshine Coast Rivers and Creeks.
• Western and Border Regions: Balonne, Condamine, Macintyre, Moonie, Warrego, and Weir Rivers.

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected areas should prepare for rapid river level rises and localised flooding. Disruption to transport routes is likely across many parts of the Flood Watch area. Residents are advised to monitor weather updates and avoid travel through floodwaters.

Expected Conditions

Tropical Low 29U is expected to cross the coast near Innisfail today, bringing heavy rainfall to the North Tropical Coast and adjacent interior. As the system decays, the risk of heavy rain will spread into central and southeastern Queensland.

Catchments in the north are already wet or saturated from recent rainfall, while central and southeastern catchments are expected to respond quickly to the incoming heavy rain. Widespread minor to moderate riverine flooding is possible, with isolated major flooding a possibility in areas receiving the heaviest rainfall.

Timeline

The Flood Watch is effective as of 11:51 am AEST on Friday, March 6, 2026, with impacts expected to evolve as follows:

• Friday: North Tropical Coast, Central Coast, and northern interior.
• Saturday: Capricornia, Wide Bay, and adjacent interior.
• Sunday: South East Queensland.
• Early Next Week: Continued risk of significant widespread flooding as the system moves through the state.