King tides expected from Friday

King tides are expected to affect Cairns from this week, from Friday 12 June through to Saturday 20 June.

The highest tide of 3.33m is forecast to occur on Monday night (15 June). There is no king tide forecast on Thursday 18 June.

These king tides are all expected to occur overnight.

The potential impacts of king tides may be intensified by high rainfall, which could worsen flooding during this period.

During king tides, seawater can flow onto roads, footpaths and private property, potentially causing damage to vehicles and infrastructure. Saltwater flooding can damage cars immediately on contact.

Residents and visitors are urged to:

• Avoid parking vehicles in known low‑lying or tidal‑affected areas
• Never drive through floodwaters
• Exercise caution when travelling near the coast and tidal creeks.

Motorists are reminded to drive slowly and carefully to reduce bow waves, which can push water deeper into nearby homes and businesses.

Forecast king tide levels for Cairns (times and heights may vary for other locations):

• Friday 12 June: 2.92m at 7.36pm
• Saturday 13 June: 3.14m at 8.24pm
• Sunday 14 June: 3.28m at 9.12pm
• Monday 15 June: 3.33m at 10pm
• Tuesday 16 June: 3.3m at 10.48pm
• Wednesday 17 June: 3.19m at 11.39pm
• Thursday 18 June: No king tide forecast
• Friday 19 June: 3.01m at 12.31am
• Saturday 20 June: 2.81m at 1.30am.

To protect public safety and private property, Council may temporarily close roads affected by tidal flooding. Motorists must obey all road closure signage and find alternative routes until conditions improve.

Streets that are most likely to be impacted by king tides include:

• Redden St, Portsmith
• Tingira St, Portsmith
• Liberty St, Portsmith
• Walters St, Portsmith
• Trawler Base Rd, Portsmith
• Bramp Cl, Portsmith
• Cook St, Portsmith
• Fearnley St, Portsmith
• Parts of Aumuller St (near Comport St), Portsmith
• Toohey St, Portsmith
• Knight St, Portsmith
• Palmer St, Portsmith
• Hartley St, Portsmith
• Hasell St, Portsmith
• Parts of Draper St (Hartley St to Kenny Street), Portsmith
• Spence St and the Esplanade intersection, Cairns City
• Corner of Lily St and the Esplanade, Cairns North

Residents should monitor the Bureau of Meteorology website for general information related to tide heights as well as the Cairns Disaster Dashboard for any additional weather warnings that may affect the Cairns region.