Monsoon continues to strengthen with further flooding likely in north Queensland

30/01/2019

The Bureau of Meteorology is urging communities in Queensland's north to prepare for further widespread heavy falls and flooding over the coming week as the monsoon trough continues to strengthen.

Acting State Manager for Queensland Dr Richard Wardle said we are already seeing the impact of cumulative heavy falls, with a number of roads impassable and swift-water rescue teams on the ground in preparation for further rain.

"A renewed Flood Watch has been issued [Tuesday] for further moderate to major flooding in coastal communities between Daintree and Mackay, and also parts of western Cape York Peninsula and eastern Gulf of Carpentaria catchments.

"Major flood levels are already occurring in the Haughton River and moderate flood levels in the Bohle River with further rainfall forecast for the Townsville region over the coming days.

"While some models indicate a deepening low and possible cyclone development, the main impact reflected consistently across all forecast scenarios is very heavy rainfall—and it is the widespread and cumulative nature of this rainfall which will see rivers and creeks respond rapidly, particularly in catchments which are sodden following several wet weeks," he said.

Strong to gale force winds are forecast for the Gulf waters and Torres Strait islands, where tides may exceed the Highest Astronomical Tide of the year with coastal inundation possible.

See Bureau of Meteorology Weather Warnings and Cyclone outlooks for updates over the coming week.