Weather News

Flood threat increasing in Carpentaria

Brett Dutschke, Friday February 17, 2017 - 15:01 AEDT

Flooding is becoming increasingly likely over Queensland's Lower Carpentaria, particularly on the coast, due to a nearby slow-moving tropical low with cyclone potential.

As much as 200-to-400 millimetres of rain is likely to fall between now and mid-next week, on top of the 50-to-150mm which has fallen in the past few days.

Among the wettest places will be Mornington Island, in the southern part of the Gulf of Carpentaria, where more than 100 millimetres has been recorded in the past 24 hours.

On the mainland, Burketown and Normanton should see the most rain. This area has already had its monthly average in the past fortnight and should receive close to a month's worth of rain in the next week, making flooding a significant risk.

The tropical system bringing this rain should also generate strong winds nearby, particularly if it intensifies. It should eventually move over land, where it should weaken rapidly, although it will still have potential to take heavy rain and strong winds with it.

- Weatherzone

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