Media Statement - Festive Weather System Update #8

Published on 30 December 2025

The following to be attributed to Hinchinbrook Local Disaster Management Group Chair, Ramon Jayo, Mayor of Hinchinbrook Shire Council with information based from the Bureau of Meteorology.

Anabranch Bridge and Halifax Washway

• As forecast, widespread moderate to heavy rainfall has continued throughout the lower Herbert catchment downstream of Nash’s Crossing today.
• River level rises are occurring throughout the catchment.
• Further moderate to heavy rainfall is forecast for tonight and for the next few days, and the BOM has advised that minor flooding may develop at multiple locations from tonight into Wednesday.
• Higher river levels are possible with forecast rainfall.
• A severe weather warning remains in place for the Herbert.
• A warning for possible Minor Flooding for the Herbert River also remains in place, and details are reproduced below for your assistance. If minor flood levels do eventuate tonight, then access to the Lower Herbert via the Anabranch Bridge and Halifax Washway will not be possible.
• Residents of the Lower Herbert are reminded that the Anabranch Bridge at Bemerside succumbs to floodwater at 8.9 metres (Ingham Pump Station). The minor flood level at Ingham Pump Station is 10 metres.
• Halifax Washway will close to floodwater at around 7.8 metres (Ingham Pump Station).
• Residents should consult the “Flood Heights Chart” contained in Council’s Disaster Dashboard to confirm flood intervention levels.
• At this stage, it is not possible to predict whether the minor flood levels will be reached or whether the aforementioned road/bridge will be affected tonight or early tomorrow morning, as that is totally dependent upon whether the heavy rain predicted arrives and where in the catchment it falls.
• However, it is a possibility, and anyone requiring travel tonight is urged to monitor river levels closely prior to travel and make decisions accordingly. River levels can be found on the BOM website or on Council’s Disaster Dashboard page.
• The situation is being monitored, and it goes without saying that you should exercise extreme vigilance if you do decide to travel through those areas tonight, having regard to the warning in place.

Herbert River to Nash’s Crossing

• Minor flooding is possible along the Herbert River to Nash’s Crossing.
• No observations are currently available for the Herbert River at Gleneagle Homestead. Based on the nearby automatic gauge, river levels are expected to be below the minor flood level and rising. The Herbert River at Gleneagle Homestead may reach around the minor flood level (4.50 m) overnight Tuesday into Wednesday with forecast rainfall.

Herbert River downstream of Nash’s Crossing

• Minor flooding is possible along the Herbert River downstream of Nash’s Crossing.
• The Herbert River at Abergowrie Bridge is currently at 2.92 m and steady, below the minor flood level.
• The Herbert River at Abergowrie Bridge may reach around the minor flood level (6.00 m) overnight Tuesday into Wednesday with forecast rainfall. Further rises and higher levels are possible with forecast rain.
• The Herbert River at Ingham Pump Station is currently at 4.89 m and falling, below the minor flood level.
• The Herbert River at Ingham Pump Station may reach around the minor flood level (10.00 m) overnight Tuesday into Wednesday with forecast rainfall.
• Further rises and higher levels are possible with forecast rain.
• The Herbert River at Gairloch is currently at 4.94 m and falling, below the minor flood level. The Herbert River at Gairloch may reach around the minor flood level (9.50 m) overnight Tuesday into Wednesday with forecast rainfall.
• Further rises and higher levels are possible with forecast rain.
• The Herbert River at Halifax is currently at 2.41 m and falling, below the minor flood level.
• The Herbert River at Halifax may reach around the minor flood level (4.00 m) overnight Tuesday into Wednesday with forecast rainfall.
• Further rises and higher levels are possible with forecast rain.