Whitsundays News. Local News from around and about the Whitsundays: QLD Severe Weather Warning: Heavy Rain

Threat Level AMBER

QLD Severe Weather Warning: Heavy Rain

Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in Herbert and Lower Burdekin and parts of Gulf Country, North Tropical Coast and Tablelands, Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, North West and Central Coast and Whitsundays Forecast Districts.

Issued at 12:09 pm Friday, 1 February 2019.

Heavy rainfall and flash flooding remains a high risk about the east tropical coast and in northwest Queensland.

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Weather Situation: The monsoon trough extends from the the north tropical coast between Innisfail and Cardwell westward to a tropical low over the northern North West district. The monsoon is likely to strengthen today and over the weekend.

SECTION 1: EAST TROPICAL COAST
Although rainfall rates have temporarily eased during the last few hours, heavy rainfall and thunderstorms are likely to redevelop later today and overnight in the warning area.

Six-hourly rainfall totals between 150mm to 200mm are likely with isolated heavier falls possible, particularly with bands of thunderstorms. Creek and river catchments are already saturated and will therefore respond very rapidly to any rainfall.

The monsoon trough is expected to remain active into next week, with further heavy rainfall expected for already saturated catchments between about Cairns and Bowen. The potential for significant and dangerous flash flooding will likely continue into next week.

Locations which may be affected include Innisfail, Tully, Cardwell, Lucinda, Ingham, Palm Island, Rollingstone, Townsville, Giru, Ayr and Bowen.

A number of major Flood Warnings are current for this region - please refer to http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings/

SECTION 2: NORTH WEST QUEENSLAND
Heavy rainfall, which may lead to localised flash flooding, is expected over inland parts of northwestern Queensland today and Saturday. Six-hourly rainfall totals of 75 to 125mm are possible, with locally higher totals with bands of thunderstorms.
Locations which may be affected include Camooweal, Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Julia Creek and Urandangi.

Flood warnings are current for this region - please refer to http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings/
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advises that people should:
* Never drive, walk or ride through flood waters. If it's flooded, forget it.
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.