Cassowary Coast moves to Alert due to flood risk

Published on 28 December 2025

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Cassowary Coast moves to Alert due to flood risk

Sunday, 28 December 2025

The Cassowary Coast Local Disaster Management Group has moved to Alert as the Bureau of Meteorology warns of increasing flood risk across North Queensland, including for the Cassowary Coast.

A tropical low embedded in the monsoon trough lying through northwest Queensland is expected to deepen and slowly drift southeast during Sunday and the early days of next week.

Along the east coast, an area of coastal convergence will move north and become slow moving from Sunday between Ayr and Cairns, producing prolonged heavy rainfall along the coast.

The exact location of the heaviest falls remains uncertain and will depend on the location of the areas of coastal convergence.

Heavy rainfall may cause rapid river level rises and flash flooding along the North Tropical Coast from today. Catchments likely to be affected include the Johnstone River, Tully River, and Murray River.

If it’s flooded – forget it

  • Don't drive, walk, swim or play in floodwater – it’s dangerous.
  • Stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways.
  • Obey road closure signs and plan ahead to avoid driving on flooded roads. For road alerts and closures, visit https://qldtraffic.qld.gov.au.

If you live in a flood-prone area:

  • Know where you’ll go if you need to evacuate.
  • Pack your car early and fill up the tank.
  • Move valuables to higher ground.

Sandbags are available

Self-service sand and sandbags are available at the following locations:

  • CARDWELL: SES, Gregory Street, Cardwell
  • INNISFAIL: Leichhardt Street, Goondi Bend (Footy field top area)
  • MISSION BEACH: Frogs Hollow, South Mission Beach
  • MOURILYAN: Mill Road, Mourilyan (Old Mill)
  • SILKWOOD: Cnr Cassar Road & Margaret Street, Silkwood (behind the old SES shed)
  • TULLY: Tully SES, 3 Murray Street, Tully
  • TULLY HEADS: Tully Heads SES Shed, Acacia Close (next to community hall)

If residents are unable to do their own sandbags, or supplies have run out, please call the SES on 132 500 for assistance. Residents are reminded to bring their own shovel.

Stay informed and be prepared

The situation can change quickly, so it’s important to stay informed.

Visit the Cassowary Coast Disaster Dashboard https://disaster.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au, which has the latest weather warnings and updates on road conditions, power outages, and recovery efforts.

Follow the Cassowary Coast Regional Council on Facebook: www.facebook.com/cassowarycoastregionalcouncil

Know your property’s flood risk - visit https://discover.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au

Check the ABC and local media for updates. The frequencies are 630 AM for Cardwell, 95.7 FM for Innisfail, 89.3 FM for Mission Beach, and 95.5 FM for Tully. Live streaming is available through www.abc.net.au/northqld/live and www.abc.net.au/farnorth/live.

Get Ready Queensland www.getready.qld.gov.au has excellent resources to help residents make an emergency plan and prepare an emergency kit, and other important information.

For the latest flood and weather warnings, visit the Bureau of Meteorology’s website www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts and for the latest rainfall and river level information see www.bom.gov.au/australia/flood.

For road alerts and closures, visit https://qldtraffic.qld.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Mayor Teresa Millwood:

“The Cassowary Coast LDMG has moved to Alert status to allow formal precautionary measures to be put in place to deal with the potential threat of heavy rain and possible flooding forecast.”

“While we know that rain is coming, where the heaviest will fall and how much will fall, and whether flooding is experienced, is still uncertain pending where the convergence zone establishes upon our part of the northeastern coastline.”

“Heavy down bursts may cause flash storm water flooding in low areas when table drains or kerb and channelling on road systems can't cope.”

“We anticipate that sheet flow across roads will occur during periods of torrential rain, so please be extra vigilant when driving in rain and particularly at night.”

“There is no need to panic. However, please review your emergency plan, have your emergency kit ready, and be prepared to leave if required.”

“Please stay safe and keep checking the Cassowary Coast Disaster Dashboard for updates.”

Media contact: Phone 0436 031 624 | Email comms@ccrc.qld.gov.au

 

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