Severe weather warning issued for significant rainfall across Queensland

09/05/2022

Issued at 4:30pm Monday 9 May 2022

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for parts of Queensland including Central West and parts of Gulf Country, Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, Northwest and Channel Country Forecast Districts, with a flood watch likely to be issued this afternoon.

Showers and thunderstorms across the state are expected to transition into widespread areas of rain over the coming days, with some heavy rainfall expected. Some locations including Townsville, the Central West, Herbert/Burdekin and the Sunshine Coast may receive their highest May rainfall on record this week.

With many catchments already saturated from recent rainfall, localised flash flooding will become an increased risk this week as creeks, streams and falls are likely to respond quickly to any heavy, short-duration rainfall. Dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding may pose a risk in some areas. Communities are advised there is an increased risk of landslips in these catchments.

There is the potential for major flooding in some catchments with flood warnings continuing for many western Queensland catchments, renewed rises will be possible in these catchments this week. A flood watch has also been issued for Western and Central Queensland, and the Central and North Tropical Queensland Coast: Flood Watch (QLD) (bom.gov.au).

The Bureau is recommending communities in these regions stay up to date with warnings via the Bureau's website or the BOM Weather app and follow the advice of emergency services.

ENDS