Severe Weather Warning: Heavy Rainfall and Flash Flooding for Channel Country, Queensland

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a Severe Weather Warning (IDQ21037) for heavy rainfall. The alert was issued at 4:16 pm AEST on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, for residents in parts of the Channel Country Forecast District in Queensland.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically covers the southern parts of the Channel Country district. Key locations that may be affected by the weather system include:

• Birdsville
• Ballera
• Orientos
• Mt Howitt Station
• Morney
• Nappa Merrie

What You Should Do

Emergency services advise residents in the affected regions to take the following immediate actions:

• Seek Shelter: Go inside a strong building and stay there until the storm has passed.
• Secure Property: Park vehicles undercover and away from trees. Ensure all doors and windows are closed.
• Health and Safety: Keep asthma medications close by, as wind and storms can trigger attacks. Charge mobile phones and power banks in case of power outages.
• Pet Safety: Place pets in a safe location and ensure they have identification in case they become lost.
• Travel: Do not drive unless absolutely necessary, as road conditions are dangerous.
• Communication: Inform friends, family, and neighbors in the area about the current warning.

Expected Conditions

A rich tropical airmass and a surface trough, combined with an upper trough moving across South Australia, are expected to produce heavy rainfall. This rainfall may lead to flash flooding. Forecasters indicate that six-hourly rainfall totals between 50 and 80 mm are likely in the southern parts of the district.

Timeline

Heavy rainfall is developing this afternoon and is expected to continue into Wednesday. Conditions are forecast to ease below warning thresholds by late Wednesday. The Bureau of Meteorology will issue the next update by 11:00 pm AEST Tuesday.