The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast possible flooding between the Cape York Peninsula and coastal catchments south to Mackay from Wednesday this week.
Widespread heavy rainfall is possible from Wednesday, associated with the likely development of a tropical low/cyclone in the Coral Sea and a separate area of heavy rainfall moving up the east coast.
Rainfall totals over northern parts of the Flood Watch area are very dependent on the location, development and movement of the tropical system. At this stage, it is likely that the system will move southeastwards away from the Queensland coast which would lead to an easing of rainfall from Friday.
Catchments within the Flood Watch area are relatively wet from rainfall over recent weeks and will, therefore, be more responsive to heavy rainfall, with riverine flooding possible from Wednesday.
Localised flooding and disruption to transport routes is possible throughout the Flood Watch area, particularly in the areas of heaviest rainfall.
Catchments likely to be affected include:
This Initial Flood Watch for the Cape York Peninsula and coastal catchments south to Mackay was issued at 3:03 pm EST on Monday 9 March 2020
