Flood-weary far north Queensland on cyclone watch
A tropical low sitting to the south of the Solomon Islands could cross the Queensland coast as a cyclone by the end of the week.
The Bureau of Meteorology warns the low, which is currently sitting over the far north-easten Coral Sea, has a moderate chance of developing into a tropical cyclone late tomorrow as it moves west.
The system could then cross the Far North Queensland coast into the Gulf of Carpentaria.
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A forecast track map from the Bureau of Meteorology showing tropical low 34U crossing Far North Queensland on Friday. It has a moderate chance of becoming a cyclone before it does so. Bureau of Meteorology
Like most of the state, the far north is under flood watch after weeks of heavy rainfall.
Several people were rescued on the north-east coast over the weekend as flash flooding hit Cairns and surrounding areas.
More showers and thunderstorms are on the forecast for the northern Cape today.
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Heavy rainfall in Far North Queensland has sparked rescues for motorists stranded in floodwaters. Nine
Meanwhile, hundreds of kilometres south in Longreach, thousands were bracing for major flooding yesterday as a torrent of floodwater moves through the state's river systems.
According to the bureau, the Thomson River at Longreach peaked below the level of the new bridge (6.35 metres) and below the February 2000 level (6.95 metres) last night but minor to moderate flooding will continue as more floodwater arrives this week.
The situation is similar for Cooper Creek at Windorah where major flooding could persist for several days.
Flooding near Longreach. Nine
Premier David Crisafulli said the next concern was the outback town of Bedourie.
The bureau warns floodwaters travelling along the Georgina River have passed through Marion Downs and are approaching Eyre Creek causing river level rises at Bedourie and Glengyle.
Eyre Creek at Bedourie may exceed the major flood level of 5 metres from late Friday, and continue to rise over the weekend.
"There's still water going through to Bedourie and to think a community impacted by really large rain over a fortnight ago are still waiting for floodwaters to reach its peak is equally incredibly frustrating," Crisafulli said.
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