Locals ‘prepare for the worst’ as amid chance a cyclone could develop off northeast Queensland coast
Dangerous and life-threatening flash flood warnings have been issued along the north-east Queensland coast due to the risk of a tropical cyclone developing.
The Bureau of Meteorology said a tropical low developing in the Coral Sea northwest of Willis Island could develop into a tropical cyclone as it moves towards the coast on Friday night or Saturday.
The tropical low was located approximately 370km northeast of Cairns and 560km northeast of Townsville as of 4am Friday.
Townsville Mayor Nick Dametto said the weather event, whether a hurricane or a tropical low, was on track to move past Ingham and the Townsville area.
“We are prepared for the worst, but we expect the best,” Mr. Dametto told Sunrise.
Sandbagging stations have been set up as locals prepare for the weekend.
In its severe weather warning, the Bureau warned that dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding was possible south of Cairns, Herbert and the lower Burdekin and parts of the Central Coast and Whitsundays.
“Six-hour rainfall totals are likely to be between 100 and 170 mm. Locally heavy rainfall is possible during this period, which could lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash floods, and isolated falls exceeding 250 mm are possible,” the bureau said.
“Tropical lows are being closely monitored and forecast track maps will continue to be issued. If further strengthening is likely, a Tropical Cyclone Advisory and Watch or Warning may be issued. If heavy rainfall is detected, a Severe Storm Warning will be issued.”
Senior meteorologist Sarah Scully said rain and damaging winds were possible.
He said: “Whether it strengthens into a tropical cyclone or remains a tropical low, it will bring a lot of rainfall and damaging winds to coastal parts of the tropical northeast Queensland coast today and tomorrow.”
The severe weather warning states there is a wide risk of wind damage to coastal areas.
The statement said, “Showers and thunderstorms are expected to become more widespread in regions with heavy rains that developed today and will continue throughout the weekend.”
Exposed parts of the coast between Port Douglas and Proserpine may develop wind gusts of up to 120km/h on Friday and Saturday. This includes Cairns and Townsville.
Flash flooding may develop as a result of heavy rainfall north of Cairns and along the northern tropical coast, which includes Cairns.
The bureau warned that six-hour rainfall totals could be between 50 and 100 mm, but individual falls could exceed 180 mm.
