WATCH AND ACT - PREPARE NOW
Published on 12 March 2026
Watch and Act - PREPARE NOW
Issued: 6:00pm Friday 13 March 2026
Next update: 12:30pm Saturday 14 March 2026.
Longreach Regional Council advises people in low lying properties of Longreach and surrounding areas to PREPARE NOW for significant major flooding on the Thomson River.
The Local Disaster Coordination Centre is planning for a flood peak of between 6.5m and 7.0m – peaking over the weekend and early next week. Floodwater may enter some low lying properties in Longreach. It is possible flood levels may exceed those recorded in the year 2000. Sandbags are available from the SES at 14 Miner Road.
Access to the Cramsie, Sandalwood, Coolibah, and Acacia estates may be impassable from late Friday for an extended period of time. Residents in these areas should decide if they will remain at home or move to a safe and high place, away from flooding. This could be with family or a friend. If you reside in these areas and decide to stay, ensure you have enough food, water, medication, and other essential items to last in excess of seven days.
For non-life-threatening flood and storm emergency assistance, contact SES on 132500, 132500.qld.gov.au, or the SES Assistance Qld app on Android or iOS. In a life-threatening situation, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
What are we expecting?
The Bureau of Meteorology advises the Thomson River may exceed 6.00 m late Saturday, and continue rising through the weekend. A significant major flood peak is expected at Longreach from as early as Sunday.
- The Landsborough Highway may be cut at the Thomson River from Saturday.
- The Thomson Developmental Road may be cut at Watyakan Creek from Saturday.
- Impacted properties may become isolated for over seven days.
What you need to do:
- If you find it hard to move quickly leaving early is safer than waiting. Call your support service, a family member, or a friend to help.
- If it’s flooded, forget it. Stay out of flood water.
- Decide if you, and the people you live with, will leave if floodwaters get close to your house.
- If you have children make sure they are with you or an adult you trust.
- Be prepared to have no power. Charge mobile phones and other electronic devices now.
- Get and fill sandbags and block doors to stop water getting inside. You can get sandbags from the SES at 14 Miner Road. Bring a shovel if you can.
- Block toilets, sinks and drains to stop sewerage backflow.
- Warn family, friends, and neighbours in the area. Help others if you can.
If you decide to leave early:
- Lift important things onto bed, tables, shelves or upstairs to protect them.
- Lift waste containers, chemicals, and poisons up high.
- Pack enough clothes, food, water, medicine, baby items (like nappies, formula) and pet food for seven days. Plan not to have a fridge or microwave.
- Take your pets, mobile phone charger, battery-powered radio, torch, and valuables like photos, cash, and important documents (like identification, insurance, or banking records).
- Lock windows and doors.
- Go to a safe place, away from flooding. This could be with family or a friend. If you have nowhere to go, contact Council on (07) 4658 4111.
- If you come to a flooded road, turn around and go another way. Do not drive through floodwater.
If you find it hard to move quickly or have special or medical needs:
- Make sure you have enough medicine for at least one week.
- If anyone in your house uses powered medical equipment, like a dialysis machine or ventilator, decide now where you will go in case you lose power.
- Call your support person or service to organise transport if you need to leave.
- Leaving early is safer than waiting.
If you are a tourist, visitor, camper or caravanner:
- If you are planning to travel in the warning area, postpone your travel.
- Campers and caravanners near the river should start packing up now and be ready to move if the situation gets worse.
- Ask the campground owners whether the site floods.
- Check your surroundings of water catchments, and monitor conditions.
For more information: