The city of Townsville has been placed on official alert status as a major weather system bears down on North Queensland, threatening to unleash up to 300 millimetres of rain across the region.
City Moves to Alert Status as Monsoon Trough Approaches
Mayor Nick Dametto announced on Saturday that the Townsville Local Disaster Management Group (TLDMG) had decided to move to an alert level. This step was taken to ensure the community understands a significant severe weather event is approaching. The decision was based on advice from the Bureau of Meteorology.
While the exact severity remains uncertain, authorities are preparing for significant rainfall starting from Sunday, December 28th. Mayor Dametto emphasised the move was about preparedness, not panic. "Today is not about creating panic," he stated. "We are expecting large amounts of rain, between 100 to 200mm is predicted starting tomorrow, but we still don't know the complete severity."
Widespread Flood Warnings and Community Preparations
Flood warnings are already active across parts of north Queensland as the monsoon trough threatens to dump more than 300mm in some areas over the coming days. Heavy rain has been recorded from Mount Isa to Mackay and Hinchinbrook to the central Queensland coast.
Key flood warnings include a major flood warning for the Flinders River and a moderate flood warning for the Cloncurry River. Towns like Mount Isa, Julia Creek, and Richmond are set to receive the worst of the weather from Sunday through to Tuesday. Rural communities have been warned that heavy rainfall could isolate properties by cutting off roads and impact livestock and crops.
In Townsville, council crews have begun establishing sandbagging stations to help residents protect their properties. Locations include:
- Mount Low Parkway on the corner of Wilcox Street
- Lou Lister Park at Railway Estate
- Bluewater Community Centre
- The SES depot at Cape Cleveland
Residents Urged to Prepare, Not Panic-Buy
Mayor Dametto strongly urged residents to use the time to prepare their homes and disaster kits, but explicitly warned against panic buying at supermarkets. "There's no reason to go to Woolworths right now or Coles, or one of your local supermarkets and start stripping the shelves," he said. "Right now is all about making sure you're prepared and you're alert."
Officials are closely monitoring the Ross River Dam, which is currently at about 70 per cent capacity. Dametto confirmed plans are in place to manage water releases if necessary. He also referenced the devastating floods of February 2025 as a stark reminder of how quickly heavy rain can lead to dangerous flooding in the region.
The Townsville Local Disaster Management Group will meet again at 9am on Sunday to assess the latest data. This meeting is expected to provide more clarity on the potential impact on local river systems, including the Ross, Bohle, Black, and Burdekin Rivers.
