Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland

PRIORITY
Coastal Waters Wind Warning
For northeastern Gulf of Carpentaria waters.
Issued at 5:05 pm EST on Thursday 8 January 2009

Synoptic Situation
A monsoon low [1003 hPa] is currently centred over land just west of Burketown.
The monsoon flow to its north is expected to increase in strength over the next
few days, and there is potential for the low to move over the Gulf waters and to
form into a tropical cyclone later in the weekend.

Strong Wind Warning
Torres Strait to Cape Keer-Weer
West/northwest winds increasing to 20/30 knots Friday morning. Seas rising to
3m. Strong winds are likely to continue during the weekend.

The next warning will be issued by 11 pm AEST.

Please be aware
Wind gusts can be a further 40 percent stronger than the averages given here,
and maximum waves may be up to twice the height.

TO::BOM601
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland
FLOOD WARNING FOR THE NICHOLSON, GREGORY, CLONCURRY, ALBERT, LEICHHARDT AND
FLINDERS RIVERS
Issued at 4:54 PM on Thursday the 8th of January 2009
by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane.
Rapid rises are causing major flooding on the Cloncurry River at Cloncurry.
Strong rises are occurring in the Williams River and are expected in Julia Creek
during this afternoon.

Major flooding has developed on the Nicholson River at Escott Station and in the
Leichhardt River at Floraville and is expected in the Albert River at Burketown
during tonight.

Further rainfall is forecast for the area in the next 24 hours and the
catchments are responding very quickly to intense rainfall.

NICHOLSON/GREGORY/ALBERT

The Nicholson River at Escott Station was 10.57 metres and rising at 3pm
Thursday causing major flooding. A major flood peak is expected at Escott
Station during Friday. Minor to moderate flood levels are easing in the Gregory
River from Riversleigh to Gregory Downs.

At 4pm, the Albert River at Burketown was 5.9 metres and rising cauing moderate
flooding. Further rises are expected overnight with major flooding expected
during tonight and Friday. Further rainfall is forecast for the area and
continued rises are possible.

LEICHHARDT

The main flood waters in the Leichhardt River are now in the Floraville area
where levels are starting to peak at major flood level.

FLINDERS/CLONCURRY

Rapid rises are causing major flooding on the Cloncurry River at Cloncurry. At
4pm The Cloncurry River at Cloncurry was 8.0 metres and nearing a peak causing
major flooding. Renewed rises are possible overnight, depending on further
rainfall. Strong rises are occurring in the Williams River and are expected in
Julia Creek during tonight.

Major flooding continues in the Cloncurry River in the Canobie area and with the
renewed rises upstream high levels can be expected to continue into next week.

The main flood waters in the Flinders River, from the rainfall earlier this
week, are now approaching the Etta Plains area. Renewed rises and minor flooding
are occurring on the lower Flinders River at Walkers Bend. Moderate flooding is
expected at Walkers Bend during the weekend and in to next week.
Scattered showers, rain and thunderstorms are expected to continue in the next
24 hours causing further moderate to heavy falls.

Motorists are warned not to attempt to drive through floodwater on roads.

Next Issue:
The next warning will be issued at about 10am Friday.
Latest River Heights:
Lawn Hill Ck at Lawn Hill 4m rising slowly 09:00 AM THU 08/01/09
Gregory R at Riversleigh * 3.27m rising 12:00 PM THU 08/01/09
Gregory R at Gregory Downs * 9.08m falling slowly 09:00 AM THU 08/01/09
Nicholson R at Escott Station 10.57m rising 03:00 PM THU 08/01/09
Albert R at Burketown Airstrip 5.9m rising 04:00 PM THU 08/01/09

Gunpowder Ck at Gunpowder * 2.99m rising 02:40 PM THU 08/01/09
Leichhardt R at Floraville * 8.75m falling slowly 01:50 PM THU 08/01/09

Flinders R at Richmond * 5.54m falling slowly 02:30 PM THU 08/01/09
Cloncurry R at Cloncurry * 8m steady 04:06 PM THU 08/01/09
Julia Ck at Julia Ck * 3.98m rising 03:10 PM THU 08/01/09
Flinders R at Etta Plains * 7.86m rising 02:30 PM THU 08/01/09
Cloncurry R at Canobie 7.2m steady 03:00 PM THU 08/01/09
Flinders R at Walkers Bend * 8.54m steady 02:00 PM THU 08/01/09

Latest Rainfall:
The heaviest rainfall since 9am is 71mm at Julia Creek.

Warnings and River Height Bulletins are available at
http://www.bom.gov.au/hydro/flood/qld . Flood Warnings are also available on
telephone 1300 659 219 at a low call cost of 27.5 cents, more from mobile,
public and satellite phones.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland

PRIORITY
Coastal Waters Wind Warning
For St. Lawrence to Point Danger, including Moreton and Hervey Bays.
Issued at 4:50 pm EST on Thursday 8 January 2009

Synoptic Situation
A ridge over Victoria is pushing a southerly change northwards up the NSW coast.

Strong Wind Warning
St. Lawrence to Point Danger, including Moreton and Hervey Bays
S/SE winds 25/30 knots are expected near Point Danger within a few hours of
sunrise on Friday morning, and will quickly spread north to reach waters south
of St. Lawrence late on Friday, though possibly as early as late Friday
afternoon. Seas of 2.5 - 3 metres developing after the change. Scattered
squally showers near the change and a possible storm.

The next warning will be issued by 11 pm AEST.

Please be aware
Wind gusts can be a further 40 percent stronger than the averages given here,
and maximum waves may be up to twice the height.

TO::BOM626
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland
FLOOD WARNING FOR THE DIAMANTINA RIVER
Issued at 10:07 AM on Thursday the 8th of January 2009
by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane.
Rainfall over the past 6 days has caused river rises and moderate to major
flooding in the Diamantina River. Major flooding is occurring at Elderslie on
the Diamantina River. Moderate flooding has developed at Diamantina Lakes and
Roseberth and is occurring at Winton on Western Creek. Minor flooding continues
at Oondooroo on Mills Creek.
Fast river rises are causing major flooding at Elderslie and is expected to
continue to rise. Moderate flooding at Diamantina Lakes is expected to continue
to rise with a moderate flood peak likely next week. Higher flood levels are
possible dependent on further rainfall.

Moderate flooding on the Diamantina River at Roseberth continues to rise
resulting from recent rainfall in the area.

Rain areas, particularly in northern parts, are expected to continue over the
next 24 hours, with moderate falls possible.
Next Issue:
The next warning will be issued at about 10am Friday.
Latest River Heights:
Diamantina R at Elderslie 3.75m rising fast 06:00 AM THU 08/01/09
Western R at Winton 2.2m rising slow 06:00 AM THU 08/01/09
Diamantina R at Diamantina Lakes * 4.68m rising 08:00 AM THU 08/01/09
Diamantina R at Roseberth 5m rising 09:00 AM THU 08/01/09

Latest Rainfall:
Rainfall in the past 24 hours has generally been less that 10 mm throughout the
catchment. Highest totals to 9am Thursday include Mackunda Downs 44mm, Durrie
40mm, Diamantina Lakes 11mm and Winton 7.4mm.

Total rainfall in the 5 days to 9am Wednesday include Mahrigong 123mm, Oondooroo
152mm, Winton 178mm, Mackunda Downs 86mm, Diamantina Lakes 28mm, Monkira 5mm,
Durrie 85mm, Roseberth 53mm, and Birdsville 51mm.
Warnings and River Height Bulletins are available at
http://www.bom.gov.au/hydro/flood/qld . Flood Warnings are also available on
telephone 1300 659 219 at a low call cost of 27.5 cents, more from mobile,
public and satellite phones.

TO::BOM627
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland
FLOOD WARNING FOR THE GEORGINA RIVER AND BURKE RIVERS
Issued at 9:57 AM on Thursday the 8th of January 2009
by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane.
Moderate to major flooding continues to rise in the Georgina River from
Urandangi to Marion Downs.

At 8:45am the Georgina River at Urandangi was 6.85 metres and steady with
moderate flooding. Further rises and major flooding are expected at Urandangi
during the next few days as upstream waters arrive from the Camooweal area. The
situation will continue to be monitored as further rainfall is possible.

Major flooding is occurring on the Georgina River at Roxborough Downs where at
8:50am the river level was at 8.03 metres and rising. Moderate flooding is
rising slowly downstream at Glenormiston, where at 7am the river level was at
4.2 metres. Major flooding is occurring further downstream at Marion Downs where
at 7am the river level was at 5.65 metres and rising.

Minor flooding is currently easing on the Burke River at Boulia, but renewed
rises are likely resulting from rainfall in the catchment upstream of Boulia.

Patchy rain and possible thunderstorms are expected to continue in the next 24
hours across the Channel Country.

Next Issue:
The next warning will be issued at about 10am Friday.
Latest River Heights:
Georgina R at Urandangi 6.85m steady 08:45 AM THU 08/01/09
Georgina R at Roxborough Downs * 8.03m rising 08:50 AM THU 08/01/09
Georgina R at Glenormiston 4.2m rising slowly 07:00 AM THU 08/01/09
Burke R at Boulia * 4.59m falling slowly 08:00 AM THU 08/01/09
Georgina R at Marion Downs 5.65m rising 07:00 AM THU 08/01/09

* denotes automatic station

Latest Rainfall:
The most significant 24 hour rainfall totals to 9am Thursday include;
Trepell 89 mm
Boulia 23 mm
The Monument 16 mm
Warnings and River Height Bulletins are available at
http://www.bom.gov.au/hydro/flood/qld . Flood Warnings are also available on
telephone 1300 659 219 at a low call cost of 27.5 cents, more from mobile,
public and satellite phones.