Minor Flood Warning Issued for Daintree and Mossman Rivers as Cyclone Narelle Approaches

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued an Initial Minor Flood Warning for the Daintree River and a Flood Warning for the Mossman River (Alert ID: IDQ20705). The warning was issued at 10:02 am AEST on Thursday, 19 March 2026, following moderate rainfall and the approach of a severe weather system.

Affected Areas

The primary areas affected include the Daintree River catchment, specifically Daintree Village and Bairds, as well as the Mossman River. These locations are situated within Far North Queensland. A broader Flood Watch is also current for parts of the Cape York Peninsula and the North Tropical Coast.

Expected Conditions

Moderate rainfall has already caused river and creek levels to rise across the region. Because the Daintree River catchment is already saturated from recent weather events, it is expected to respond very quickly to further precipitation. Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle is forecast to bring additional heavy rainfall starting Thursday.

Specific river observations as of Thursday morning include:

• Daintree River at Daintree Village: Currently at 3.45 m and rising. It is expected to reach the minor flood level of 4.00 m by Thursday afternoon.
• Daintree River at Bairds: Recorded at 5.56 m and rising.
• Mossman River at Mossman: Recorded at 4.50 m and falling.

What You Should Do

Residents and travelers in the affected areas are urged to take the following safety precautions:

• Do not drive, walk, swim, or play in floodwater; it is dangerous and conditions can change quickly.
• Stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams, and waterways.
• Obey all road closure signs and plan travel routes to avoid flooded areas.
• Monitor local media and the ABC for further updates.
• For emergency assistance, contact the SES at 132 500. In life-threatening emergencies, call 000 immediately.

Timeline

The alert is effective immediately, with minor flooding possible at Daintree Village starting Thursday afternoon, 19 March 2026. Further rises are possible depending on the movement of Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle. The Bureau of Meteorology intends to issue the next update by 9:00 PM AEST on Thursday.