Severe Weather Warning for Heavy Rainfall Issued for Southern Channel Country, QLD

Alert Details

A Severe Weather Warning for heavy rainfall has been issued by the Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) for the Channel Country Forecast District. This is a top-priority alert issued at 9:05 am AEST on Tuesday, 17 March 2026.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically targets the southern parts of the Channel Country district in Queensland. Locations that may be affected include Orientos and Nappa Merrie. Residents in the far southwest of the state should remain alert as conditions develop.

What You Should Do

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

• Park vehicles undercover and away from trees.
• Close all doors and windows.
• Keep asthma medications close by, as storms and wind can trigger attacks.
• Charge mobile phones and power banks in anticipation of potential power outages.
• Secure pets in a safe place and ensure they have identification.
• Avoid driving unless absolutely necessary due to dangerous road conditions.
• Seek shelter inside a sturdy building and remain there until the storm has passed.

Expected Conditions

A rich tropical airmass combined with a surface trough and an upper trough moving across South Australia is expected to produce heavy rainfall. Forecasters predict six-hourly rainfall totals between 50 and 80 mm. This heavy rainfall may lead to flash flooding in the affected regions.

Timeline

Heavy rainfall is expected to develop about the southern Channel Country starting Tuesday evening and continuing into Wednesday. Conditions are forecast to ease below warning thresholds by late Wednesday. The next update from the Bureau of Meteorology is scheduled to be issued by 5:00 pm AEST Tuesday.