Flood Watch issued for Mossman and Daintree Rivers

A Flood Watch has been issued for the coastal catchments between Cooktown and Rollingstone including the Mossman and Daintree River catchments as a tropical low continues to hover in the Coral Sea.

The Bureau of Meteorology has advised that minor to moderate flooding is possible across the Flood Watch area during the next few days, with a risk of isolated major flooding.

“A developing tropical low in the Coral Sea may bring heavy rainfall to the Flood Watch area over the next few days, before the low moves further offshore towards the end of the week,” the Bureau said.

“Uncertainty remains around the development and movement of the system over the next few days, which will have a bearing on where the heaviest rainfall occurs.”

Catchments in the Flood Watch area have recorded significant rainfall over the last week, particularly nearer to the coast in the last few days, and catchments remain saturated. River levels will respond quickly to further heavy rainfall.

Daily rainfall totals of 100-150 mm are likely, with locally heavy falls in excess of 200 mm possible, particularly near the coast.

Localised flooding and disruption to transport routes are likely throughout the Flood Watch area.

Catchments included in the Flood Watch area are:

• Endeavour River
• Daintree River
• Mossman River
• Barron River
• Mulgrave and Russell Rivers
• Johnstone River
• Tully River
• Murray River
• Herbert River
  
  

Sandbags

The Douglas Shire Council has advised that Sandbags are now available at:

• Wonga - Wonga RFS/SES shed.
• Diwan - SES Local Headquarters, Tea Tree Road Diwan.
• Daintree village - Daintree Village RFS/SES shed.
• Port Douglas - Crocs AFL carpark, access via Wharf Street.
• Mossman - Mossman SES shed at the rear of Council’s Administration Building in Mossman, access via Front Street.