Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, National Water Operations Moderate Flood Warning For The Lower Balonne River And Balonne River Minor, Minor Flood Warning For The Bokhara River Issued at 01:28 PM AEST on Friday 20 March 2026 Flood Warning Number: 5 ST GEORGE LIKELY TO PEAK AROUND THE MODERATE FLOOD LEVEL (8.00 METRES) AROUND FRIDAY EVENING MODERATE FLOODING LIKELY AT DIRRANBANDI FRIDAY AFTERNOON, FURTHER RISES OVER THE WEEKEND MINOR FLOODING POSSIBLE AT HEBEL FROM EARLY NEXT WEEK The main flood peak along the upper Balonne River passed through Warroo late Thursday evening and is now moving downstream towards Beardmore Dam. Downstream of the dam, minor flooding is rising at St George, with a peak around the moderate flood level likely around Friday evening, though the river level will likely remain around its peak into Saturday. Further downstream, river level rises are occurring along the lower Balonne River at Whyenbah, with levels close to the major flood level Friday morning. Flows are moving relatively quickly, with rises above the moderate flood level likely along the Balonne River Minor at Dirranbandi Friday afternoon. Along the Bokhara River, minor flooding is possible at Hebel from early next week. Forecasts will be updated as upstream peaks are observed. No significant rainfall is forecast across the catchment for at least the next few days. A Major Flood Warning is current for the upper Balonne River. Lower Balonne and Bokhara Rivers, Balonne River Minor: Moderate flooding is likely along the lower Balonne River and Balonne River Minor. Minor flooding is possible along the Bokhara River from early next week. No observations are currently available for the Balonne River at St George. Based on the nearby automatic gauge, the river level is expected to be just below the moderate flood level (8.00 m) and rising slowly. The Balonne River at St George is likely to peak near the moderate flood level (8.00 m) around Friday evening. The river is likely to remain around its peak into Saturday, and is expected to gradually ease over the weekend as outflows from Beardmore Dam slowly decrease. The Balonne River Minor at Dirranbandi is currently at 4.23 m and rising, with minor flooding. The Balonne River Minor at Dirranbandi is likely to exceed the moderate flood level (4.30 m) Friday afternoon. The river may reach around 4.50 m during Saturday, with moderate flooding. Further rises are possible as upstream flows arrive. The Bokhara River at Hebel is currently at -0.03 m and steady, below the minor flood level. The Bokhara River at Hebel may exceed the minor flood level (1.00 m) from early next week. 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 03:00 PM AEST on Saturday 21 March 2026. Latest River Heights: Balonne River at Jack Taylor Weir,0.36,steady,12:00 pm Fri 20/03/26 Culgoa River at Whyenbah,5.94,steady,12:00 pm Fri 20/03/26 Culgoa River at Woolerbilla,1.28,steady,12:00 pm Fri 20/03/26 Balonne River at Dirranbandi,4.23,rising,8:00 am Fri 20/03/26 Narran River at Dirranbandi-Hebel Road,3.57,steady,12:00 pm Fri 20/03/26 Bokhara River at Hebel,-0.03,steady,12:00 pm Fri 20/03/26 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.