Weather Warning

This warning affects:Fitzroy River, Sandy Desert and West Kimberley Rivers.

Initial Flood Watch for West Kimberley and Fitzroy Rivers and Sandy Desert

  • Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology

IDW39605

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Western Australia

Initial Flood Watch for West Kimberley and Fitzroy Rivers and Sandy Desert

Issued at 11:48 AM WST on Friday 23 May 2025.

RIVER AND CREEK LEVEL RISES AND LOCALISED FLOODING POSSIBLE ACROSS THE FLOOD WATCH AREA

A surface trough over the north-east Indian Ocean will generate a band of rain and cloud across northern and north-west Western Australia from Sunday evening. This rain band will bring widespread unseasonal moderate to heavy totals to the Flood Watch area from Sunday evening.

Catchments in the Flood Watch area are relatively dry.

Rain and storms with isolated heavy falls are forecast from Sunday evening. Widespread rainfall totals of 100-150 mm, with isolated totals of up to 200 mm are forecast over the Flood Watch catchments from Sunday to Wednesday. The peak of the rainfall is likely to be on Monday and Tuesday.

This rainfall is likely to result in river level rises, along with hazardous road conditions especially on secondary roads. Some communities and homesteads may become isolated. While significant river flooding is not expected, smaller streams and creeks are likely to rise rapidly and prevent road users from traversing typically dry areas. Check road conditions before travelling.

Catchments likely to be affected include:

West Kimberley Rivers   
Fitzroy River   
Sandy Desert   

This flood watch is available by dialling 1300 659 213. For more information on the Flood Watch Service visit http://www.bom.gov.au/water/floods/floodWarningServices.shtml

Flood Safety Advice:

DFES advises people and communities to be aware that flooding is possible and be prepared to relocate equipment and livestock. Watch water levels. Travellers need to be aware that road conditions may be adversely affected and travel plans may need to be reconsidered. Do not drive into water of unknown depth and velocity.

Community information is available from DFES at www.emergency.wa.gov.au/

Current river levels are available from Department of Water and Environmental Regulation at www.water.wa.gov.au/maps-and-data/monitoring/river-level-monitoring

Next Issue

The next Flood Watch will be issued by 12:00 pm WST on Saturday 24 May 2025.