Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology Queensland TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST Severe Weather Warning for Heavy Rainfall for parts of Channel Country Forecast District. Issued at 10:28 pm Tuesday, 17 March 2026. Heavy rainfall continuing about the southern Channel Country. Weather Situation A rich tropical airmass extends over the centre of the country with a surface trough extending into the far southwest of the state. Meanwhile an upper trough is moving across South Australia. This combination is bringing the risk of heavy rainfall to the far southwest of the state today and into Wednesday. HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas: Channel Country HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast for southern parts of the Channel Country district this evening and into Wednesday. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 50 and 80 mm are likely. Conditions are expected to ease below warning thresholds by late Wednesday. Flood Watches and Warnings are current for the area. 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, Nappa Merrie and Durrie. Emergency services advise people to: * 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.