Savage weather leaves 41,000 without power just days before Cyclone Kirrily is set to smash Australia’s east coast – here’s when the category three storm will hit
Severe storms left tens of thousands of people without power, just days before a cyclone hit Australia’s east coast.
More than 41,000 properties in southeast Queensland were plunged into darkness on Monday evening due to damaging winds and heavy rain.
That figure had fallen to 38,312 homes by 7.15pm, with 12,687 customers affected in Brisbane and 13,643 without power in the Moreton Bay area.
The severe storms could potentially cause flash flooding near northern Lake Wivenhoe and Somerset Dam.
It comes just days before Cyclone Kirrily is expected to hit Australia’s east coast on Thursday, as authorities warn the storm will wreak havoc.
In a dramatic update on Monday afternoon, Queensland Premier Steven Miles said the storm will become a tropical cyclone on Tuesday.
North Queensland is still working to clean up from Cyclone Jasper, which ravaged the region a few weeks ago, causing widespread flooding and power outages.
Authorities believe developing Cyclone Kirrily (pictured) is expected to hit land between Innisfail and Airlie Beach, south of Cairns, on Thursday
The plane is expected to make landfall between Innisfail and Airlie Beach, south of Cairns, on Thursday.
“Serious consequences are likely, especially if crossings occur close to or south of Townsville,” Miles said at a news conference.
“The preparations of our disaster management team are in full swing.”
Queenslanders have been urged to stay aware of warnings from both local councils and the state government over the next 72 hours.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) predicted the storm would become a Category 1 cyclone on Tuesday morning after developing in the Coral Sea.
The cyclone is expected to continue intensifying once it becomes a tropical cyclone and reaches category three on Wednesday.
An office worker in Brisbane tries to protect himself from the deluge
A BOM spokesperson told media on Monday that “severe tropical cyclone impacts” are expected for communities in North Queensland as the cyclone grows to category three.
“Storms with damaging winds of up to 75 miles per hour may develop in the coastal and island communities between Ayr and St. Lawrence as early as Wednesday morning,” the spokesperson said.
“That could spread to other areas after Wednesday as that system gets closer.”
Heavy rains and flash flooding are also ‘likely’ as the system crosses land.
The cyclone is expected to move south where heavy rain could fall across central and south-east Queensland.
It is then forecast to move most inland and lose power on Friday before returning to a low pressure system.
A woman sheltered from the rain under an umbrella as she crossed a street in Sydney last year
Queensland Premier Steven Miles (pictured) said a ‘severe impact is likely’ if the cyclone crosses land south of Townsville
Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Chelepy urged Queenslanders to take precautions to survive before the cyclone hits.
He advised people to have three days’ supply of non-perishable food and power for a phone, as during a cyclone it can “sometimes take up to 72 hours before emergency services can assist”.
Those planning to travel for Australia Day on Friday are also urged to keep abreast of the latest government weather warnings.
âWe know this Friday is a public holiday and we are aware that a lot of people will be on our roads and camping in our campsites, just staying connected,â Mr Chelepy said.
While the cyclone is expected to move overland in North Queensland, most of the state could also be affected if land turns into a low-pressure system.
The wild weather comes as the Bureau of Meteorology issues an extreme heatwave warning for large parts of Australia.
Temperatures are expected to reach the low to mid 40s in South Australia’s north-west pastoral district.
Adelaide is expected to experience its hottest day of the week on Tuesday with a high of 39ÂșC and a low of 21ÂșC.
A severe heatwave will hit parts of Brisbane (above) with high cloud cover, tropical low temperatures and ocean heat worsening humidity
‘Adelaide will experience heat tomorrow (Tuesday) as a trough moves across the region bringing very hot northerly winds. It will be a dry heat,â said Weatherzone meteorologist Yoska HernĂĄndez.
Fortunately, the maximum temperature will drop to 34 degrees Celsius on Wednesday as clouds pass over the city, followed by rain on Thursday.
Parts of New South Wales are also expected to swelter in the coming days.
Areas in the north of the state, including Moree, could reach temperatures of around 30 to 40 degrees.
Ms HernĂĄndez warned the heatwave over Sydney could last until next weekend.
“Sydney will experience heat on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday next week, before a cool change on Saturday,” she said.
The hottest day in the city falls on Friday with a maximum temperature of 36 degrees Celsius.