Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued for North Tropical Coast and Tablelands, QLD

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for heavy rainfall. This is a top-priority alert for the North Tropical Coast and Tablelands Forecast District, specifically addressing the risk of flash flooding due to intense weather conditions.

Affected Areas

The warning area primarily covers the region between Port Douglas and Wujal Wujal. Specific locations that may be affected include:

• Port Douglas
• Wujal Wujal
• Daintree Village
• Mossman
• Julatten

Expected Conditions

A surge of east to southeasterly winds is directing showers and thunderstorms onto the North Tropical Coast. These storms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours. Significant rainfall has already been recorded in the region, including:

• 231 mm at Yandill in the 6 hours leading up to 8:45 am.
• 222 mm at Rex Creek Intake in the 6 hours leading up to 8:00 am.

While intense rainfall has eased in some spots, the risk for heavy rainfall remains high for the specified corridor.

What You Should Do

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

• Stay Indoors: Go inside a strong building and stay there until the storm has passed.
• Travel Safety: Do not drive unless absolutely necessary as conditions are dangerous.
• Property Protection: Park vehicles undercover and away from trees; close all doors and windows.
• Health Preparedness: Keep asthma medications close by, as storms and wind can trigger attacks.
• Power and Communication: Charge mobile phones and power banks in case of power outages.
• Pet Safety: Secure pets in a safe place and ensure they have identification.

Timeline

The warning was issued at 10:50 am Sunday, 15 March 2026. The current weather situation is expected to persist for several hours. The Bureau of Meteorology expects to issue the next update by 1:50 pm.