Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology Queensland TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST Severe Weather Warning for Heavy, Locally Intense Rainfall for parts of Channel Country and Maranoa and Warrego Forecast Districts. Issued at 10:14 pm Tuesday, 24 February 2026. HEAVY TO LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL IN THE SOUTHWEST OF THE STATE Weather Situation A slow-moving tropical low is located over the southeast of the Northern Territory. Rich tropical moisture surrounding this system is feeding into a trough in the southwest of the state, with persistent thunderstorm activity Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning. Rainfall begins to ease during Wednesday with heavy rainfall becoming more isolated. HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL for the following areas: Channel Country and Maranoa and Warrego HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is possible for parts of the Channel Country and Maranoa and Warrego districts Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning. Six hour rainfall totals between 50 and 80 mm are possible with thunderstorms. Locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is also possible with isolated thunderstorms, particularly over the southern Channel Country district near Orientos; becoming less likely after sunrise on Wednesday. Six-hourly rainfall totals of around 130 mm are possible. Showers and thunderstorms associated with the tropical low may affect the western Channel Country for much of the week. These conditions also threaten cattle and other livestock. Separate Flood Watches and/or Warnings are current at the time of issue. Please refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts/ for more information. Locations which may be affected include Birdsville, Ballera, Orientos, Mt Howitt Station, Bulloo Downs and Hungerford. Emergency services advise people to: * If you have children make sure they are with you or an adult you trust. * Park your car undercover away from trees. * Close doors and windows. * Keep asthma medications close by. Storms and wind can trigger asthma attacks. * Charge mobile phones and power banks in case the power goes out. * Put your pets somewhere safe and make sure they can be identified in case they get lost. * Do not drive now unless you have to because conditions are dangerous. * Tell friends, family and neighbours in the area. * Go inside a strong building now. Stay inside until the storm has passed. The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 5:00 am AEST Wednesday. Check https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts. Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and emergency services would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.