Queensland is preparing for the impending arrival of another tropical cyclone expected to bring heavy rain, flooding and gale-force winds.
A cyclone warning is in effect for the areas between Ayr and Mackay, with the Bureau of Meteorology predicting gale force winds will develop from Wednesday.
“The system is likely to bring the most intense impacts of rain, damaging winds and hazardous sea conditions in the form of storm surges and large waves as it moves along the coast,” said meteorologist Miriam Bradbury.
Tropical Cyclone Kirrily is currently 690 km northeast of Townsville and 590 km northeast of Mackay and is moving south towards the coast.
The storm is expected to cross the coast between Cardwell and Bowen around 10pm on Thursday and is currently moving at a speed of seven kilometers per hour.
The latest models suggest that Kirrily will make landfall as a Category 2 system late Thursday evening or early Friday morning and generate ‘severe weather’.
Townsville residents prepare sandbags for the arrival of Cyclone Kirrily
A cyclone warning is in effect for the areas between Ayr and Mackay (photo, satellite image)
The storm is expected to pass the coast between Cardwell and Bowen late on Thursday
Winds of 120 kilometers per hour are forecast for the Whitsunday Islands and coastal areas between Townsville and St. Lawrence as the cyclone prepares to make landfall.
Heavy rain will hit central, western and southern Queensland from Friday.
“This low, even though it will not be a tropical cyclone at the time, will continue to generate severe weather,” Ms Bradbury said.
“We expect widespread flooding this weekend and early next week.”
The storm still has the potential to develop into a severe category three storm, with the Bureau forecasting “long-lasting, significant” impacts to persist well into next week.
Kirrily is expected to dump between 400 and 800mm of rain on towns across northern Queensland, many of which are still recovering from former Cyclone Jasper.
Experts predict rainfall totals in areas around the Herbert and Burdekin region could reach 400mm or more in a five-day deluge.
Flooding could worsen if the low meets a trough moving up from northern NSW.
A cyclone watch zone has been established for large parts of North Queensland (photo)
Cyclone Jasper caused record flooding in December that devastated the far north (pictured)
The latest models suggest Kirrily will make landfall late Thursday as a Category 2 system
Meanwhile, large waves are forecast for the foreshore between Townsville and Mackay as the cyclone approaches and crosses the coast this week.
“Large waves can cause minor flooding along the waterfront,” the Bureau said.
“People living in areas likely to be affected by these floods should take steps to protect their property and be prepared to help their neighbors.”
It comes as five fire and rescue teams with support crews are based in Townsville to arrive in the flood areas at 10am on Wednesday.
Strike teams are placed according to the latest advice from the Bureau.
In the event of extreme flooding, additional fast water rescue boats have been docked in Townsville and more equipment is being sent to northern Queensland.
Teams are once again preparing for high winds, storms and rain, with emergency evacuation accommodation available for those who need it.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said citizenship ceremonies and other events normally held on Australia Day on Friday would be canceled if necessary.
This year’s holiday will be a wet one for Queenslanders, with up to 100mm of rain expected in the wake of Friday’s cyclone.
Five fire and rescue teams are stationed in Townsville (pictured, locals fill sandbags)
It is the second cyclone to threaten Queensland in just a month (the cyclone is pictured)
After crossing the coast, forecasters expect the system to weaken again to a tropical low and move further inland and southward.
It is the second cyclone to threaten Queensland in just a month.
Cyclone Jasper caused record flooding in December that devastated the far north, before seven people died in storm-related incidents over Christmas in the south-east.
Weary rescue crews will receive support from the Interstate and Australian Defense Forces following the massive recovery efforts that followed the storm.
About 500 hectares of the Gold Coast’s forests suffered serious damage as clean-up efforts continued in the tourist strip.
More than 21,000 tonnes of green waste have been removed since Boxing Day.
“To date, they have cleaned 570 streets and 135 miles of roads,” Mayor Tate said.