The Bruce Highway is currently closed to all traffic between Cardwell and Ingham due to flooding at Seymour River, exacerbated by overnight rains in North Queensland. On March 19, 2025, over 200mm of rain drenched the region, with severe weather warnings still in effect for areas stretching from Cairns to just south of Townsville.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) issued alerts that heavy rainfall would persist throughout the morning. “Convergence between a very humid northeasterly flow from the Coral Sea and a southeasterly wind surge has strengthened overnight,” BOM reported. “This will lead to a continuation of heavy showers and a few thunderstorms about the coast and ranges of the Herbert and Lower Burdekin district.” BOM estimates that six-hourly rainfall totals could range from 120mm to isolated amounts of 240mm.
At around 6am on March 19, Queensland Police issued a prompt for residents, alerting them to various road closures around Townsville due to flooding. Traffic disruption affected Railway Avenue between Boundary Street and Putt Street, as well as Bayswater Road and several other key routes in the area including Hugh Street and Pilkington Street. The Townsville Local Disaster Management Group is on high alert as rain forecasts predict increasing rainfall throughout the week.
“At this point, we need residents to stay calm, listen to advice, and remain vigilant,” said TLDMG Chair Andrew Robinson. He advised that low-lying and flood-prone areas may start to see localized flooding as the rains continue to increase. “Remember, if it’s flooded, forget it – never drive through floodwaters.”
The conditions, according to BOM, are expected to ease by the afternoon as the southeasterly wind starts to weaken. Residents are urged to stay updated on traffic alerts and road conditions through QLDTraffic.qld.gov.au.
Residents expressed frustration as many woke to find their homes surrounded by water due to the downpours. The Townsville City Council reported that the sewerage system is at capacity, urging residents to conserve water by delaying washing clothes and taking shorter showers.
On March 18, reports emerged of landslides obstructing roads, with one significant blockage on Stanley Street where large rocks and debris covered the thoroughfare. Emergency services responded to rescue a stuck vehicle in Cranbrook after it entered floodwaters around 5am. This follows reports of significant flooding along Hugh Street in Belgium Gardens and water overflowing on Charles Street in Vincent, where traffic control was initiated early in the morning.
In Ingham, the Bruce Highway remains closed due to flooding, with reports indicating water over the Seymour Bridge connecting Ingham and Cardwell following nearly 200mm of rainfall recorded just the day before.
Just after 5am on March 18, the BOM issued a flood warning for the Ross River and a moderate flood warning for the Bohle River, warning of potential hazards ahead in the following hours. “Moderate to locally heavy rainfall has been observed across the catchment with continued heavy rain,” they stated, advising coverage that could impact river and creek levels.
Flood Watch advisories remain in effect for the North Tropical Coast and parts of Central Coast, with the possibility of river flooding being closely monitored. Of particular concern is the Ross River at Aplin Weir, which is nearing the minor flood level due to rising water levels expected with subsequent rains. The Bohle River at Mt Bohle is already forecast to exceed moderate flood levels, compounding worries about flooding in the vicinity.
The BOM had noted that locations like Palm Island, Ingham, Ayr, Giru, and Lucinda may still face heavy showers throughout the day.
As conditions intensified, residents were reminded about local weather patterns. Six-hourly rainfall totals of 120-160mm could lead to flooding if conditions continue. As of March 19 at 4:10am, 147mm was recorded at Townsville Airport in three hours, with other areas also showing significant rainfall totals.
In affected locations, response teams increased readiness and prepared for what could still be a volatile weather week ahead.
Many schools were closed as of March 18, including Annandale Christian College and The Cathedral School of St Anne and St James, with remaining educational institutions only opening for supervision. Kinetic has suspended school bus services due to safety concerns amidst rising water.
As efforts to manage the flooding continue, local authorities are prioritizing response and safety while assessing evacuation needs should conditions worsen. Community support and communication remain at the forefront as residents grapple with the aftermath of the relentless rains.
With more storms predicted in the coming days, monitoring and adaptability in response strategies were underscored as paramount in safeguarding the Townsville and North Queensland community.
