Northern Queensland faces historic flooding as torrential rain swells rivers and triggers disaster relief

A relentless monsoonal system has plunged northern Queensland into a deepening flood crisis, with torrential rain hammering coastal and inland communities, rivers surging toward major flood peaks and emergency warnings remaining in force as authorities brace for more dangerous weather.

Parts of the state’s tropical coast have already recorded more than a metre of rain in just four days, an extraordinary deluge that rivals Brisbane’s annual rainfall, while forecasters warn hundreds of millimetres more could fall by early next week, threatening to push some areas toward two metres of rainfall from a single weather event.

The unfolding disaster has already claimed a life in the state’s north-west and left vast stretches of Queensland under flood watch, as swollen catchments struggle to cope with the sheer volume of water.


Coastal communities stretching from Townsville to Bowen are forecast to be drenched by 100 to 200 millimetres of rain today, with even heavier falls possible along exposed coastal fringes extending north to Cairns.

The Bureau of Meteorology says the rain could spark further flash flooding, with waterways already swollen. "We are still seeing heavy rain across northern Queensland," Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Jonathan How said, according to the 9News website.

The rain is forecast to ease this afternoon before intensifying again this evening along the coast between Rollingstone and Ayr.

Flood warnings remain in place for the Mulgrave, Russell, Tully, Murray, Cloncurry and Georgina catchments, as rivers continue to surge across the region. The Leichhardt River peaked near 16.25 metres at Lorraine, with the main flood peak now approaching Floraville, while moderate flooding is expected at Normanton, where levels at Glenore Weir are just above 12 metres and rising.

A man in his 70s was found dead in flooded Normanton on December 30. The north-west heavy rain warning has been lifted, but Winton and Corfield may face severe storms.

Historic rainfall batters North Tropical Coast

Rainfall topped 1,000mm at three North Tropical Coast locations over four days, with Bingil Bay at 1,114.2mm and South Mission Beach and Cowley Beach near 1,050mm. With another 400-800mm expected, totals could approach two metres, far exceeding Brisbane’s annual rainfall.

According to 9News website, Heavy rain has also struck Queensland’s Gulf Country, North West, and Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders districts, with major flooding expected along key rivers. Premier David Crisafulli announced disaster relief, and residents are urged to monitor the BoM and Queensland disaster updates on the Queensland government's disaster website.