Flood Watch Issued for Cape York Peninsula and North Tropical Coast as Tropical Low 34U Approaches

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued Flood Watch Number 15 for parts of the Cape York Peninsula and North Tropical Coast. This alert provides early advice of possible flooding within specified catchments due to an approaching tropical low and existing saturated ground conditions.

Affected Areas

Catchments likely to be affected by this watch include:

• Cape York Peninsula: Jacky Jacky Creek, Olive and Pascoe Rivers, Lockhart River, Stewart River, Normanby River, Jeannie River, Endeavour River, Staaten River, Mitchell River (including Magnificent Creek at Kowanyama), Coleman and Edward Rivers, Holroyd and Kendall Rivers, Archer and Coen Rivers, Watson River, Embley and Mission Rivers, Wenlock River, Ducie, Jackson and Skardon Rivers, and the Jardine River.
• North Tropical Coast: Daintree River and Mossman River (where specific flood warnings are already current).

Note: Further flooding is no longer expected in the Nicholson, Leichhardt, and Cloncurry catchments.

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected areas should follow these safety guidelines:

• Do not drive, walk, swim, or play in floodwater. It is dangerous and life-threatening.
• Stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams, and other waterways.
• Obey all road closure signs and plan travel ahead to avoid flooded routes.
• Monitor the ABC and local media for the latest updates as the situation can change quickly.
• For emergency assistance, contact the SES at 132 500. In life-threatening emergencies, call 000 (triple zero) immediately.
• Visit www.disaster.qld.gov.au/warnings for local emergency management advice.

Expected Conditions

A tropical low (34U) has formed in the Coral Sea and is forecast to move westwards toward the Far North Queensland coast over the coming days. Heavy rainfall is expected to redevelop across far northern parts of the state starting Thursday. Because catchments are already saturated from recent rainfall, river levels are expected to rise quickly. Widespread minor to major flooding is already occurring across large parts of Queensland.

Timeline

The Flood Watch was issued at 12:57 PM AEST on Monday, March 16, 2026. While rainfall has temporarily eased in some areas, the risk of renewed flooding increases significantly starting Thursday, March 19. The next update from the Bureau of Meteorology is scheduled to be issued by 2:00 PM AEST on Tuesday.