Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, National Water Operations Major Flood Warning For The Flinders River And Minor Flood Warning For The Cloncurry River Issued at 09:41 AM AEST on Thursday 01 January 2026 Flood Warning Number: 13 NEAR MAJOR FLOODING POSSIBLE AT RICHMOND FROM LATE FRIDAY WITH FORECAST RAINFALL MAJOR FLOODING RISING SLOWLY AT WALKERS BEND Recent rainfall has caused river and creek level rises and flooding across the Flinders and Cloncurry catchments. Further areas of moderate to heavy rainfall are forecast to affect parts of the catchments over the next few days, with the heaviest rainfall likely over the Flinders catchment. River and creek level rises are likely to continue. Moderate flooding is expected to be occurring at Richmond, with rises close to the major flood level possible from late Friday with forecast rainfall. Minor flooding is easing at Cloncurry. Downstream, major flooding at Walkers Bend is expected to continue rising slowly well into next week as upstream floodwaters continue to arrive. Flinders River to Richmond: Major flooding is possible along the Flinders River to Richmond. No observations are currently available for the Flinders River at Richmond Post Office. Based on the nearby automatic gauge, the river level is expected to be above the moderate flood level (6.00 m) and relatively steady. With forecast rainfall, renewed river level rises are possible along the Flinders River at Richmond Post Office from late Thursday. The river level may reach close to the major flood level (8.00 m) from late Friday. Flinders River downstream of Richmond: Major flooding is occurring along the Flinders River downstream of Richmond. The Flinders River at Walkers Bend is currently at 10.54 m and rising, with major flooding. The Flinders River at Walkers Bend is expected to remain above the major flood level (8.00 m) well into next week, with slow rises continuing as upstream flows arrive. Cloncurry River: Minor flooding is easing along the Cloncurry River. The Cloncurry River at Cloncurry is currently at 3.32 m and falling, with minor flooding. The Cloncurry River at Cloncurry may fall below the minor flood level (3.00 m) Thursday afternoon. Flood Safety Advice: Don't drive, walk, swim or play in floodwater because it is dangerous. Stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways. Obey road closure signs. Plan ahead so you don't drive on flooded roads. Check the ABC and local media for updates. The situation can change quickly, so stay informed. For local emergency management warnings and advice visit www.disaster.qld.gov.au/warnings.} For emergency assistance call SES on telephone number 132 500. In life-threatening emergencies, call 000 (triple zero) immediately. Next issue: The next warning will be issued by 05:00 PM AEST on Thursday 01 January 2026. Latest River Heights: Flinders River at Glendower Crossing,1.12,steady,9:00 am Thu 01/01/26 Porcupine Creek at Mt Emu Plains,1.73,steady,9:00 am Thu 01/01/26 Flinders River at Punchbowl,6.17,steady,9:00 am Thu 01/01/26 Flinders River at Etta Plains,11.01,steady,9:00 am Thu 01/01/26 Julia Creek,3.63,steady,9:00 am Thu 01/01/26 Gilliat River at Wills Development Road,9.35,steady,9:00 am Thu 01/01/26 Cloncurry River at Cloncurry,3.32,falling,9:00 am Thu 01/01/26 Cloncurry River at Canobie,11.45,steady,9:00 am Thu 01/01/26 Flinders River at Flinders Cloncurry Junction,11.58,steady,6:00 am Thu 01/01/26 Flinders River at Walkers Bend,10.54,rising,9:00 am Thu 01/01/26 This advice is also available by dialling 1300 659 219. Warning, rainfall and river information are available at http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/flood.