Media Release - Initial Flood Watch for the North Tropical Coast between Cooktown and Ingham

Attention all Hinchinbrook Shire residents, please be advised that Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued an Initial Flood Watch for the North Tropical Coast between Cooktown and Ingham.

Flood Watch Number: 1

Minor to moderate flooding possible from late Sunday.

Heavy rainfall associated with a developing tropical low is forecast to develop between Cooktown and Cairns during Sunday. The risk of heavy rainfall will extend southwards to Ingham overnight Sunday and during Monday. The location of the heaviest rainfall is dependent on the development and movement of the tropical low.

Heavy rainfall has fallen over the majority of catchments within the Flood Watch area over the last two weeks. Rivers will therefore respond relatively quickly to further rainfall.

Minor to moderate flooding is possible in the Flood Watch area, particularly within the catchments where flooding has recently occurred.

Localised flooding and disruption to transport routes are possible within the Flood Watch area from Sunday.

Within the Flood Watch area, Flood Warnings are current for the upper Herbert River and Murray River.

Catchments likely to be affected include:

Endeavour River;

Daintree River;

Mossman River;

Barron River;

Mulgrave and Russell Rivers;

Johnstone River;

Tully River;

Murray River; and

Herbert River.

Residents are urged to continue monitoring the BOM website www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings for further weather warnings and updates.

The LDMG will continue to monitor the situation and will issue relevant notices to residents as required.

For information regarding local conditions, please visit the Hinchinbrook Disaster Dashboard or contact the LDMG on
4776 4600.