Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of Channel Country Forecast District.

Issued at 11:04 am Sunday, 4 February 2024.
HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL AND DAMAGING WINDS IN THE CHANNEL COUNTRY SUNDAY AND MONDAY.

Weather situation: Ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily is currently located west of Boulia, near the Northern Territory border. The system is moving south-southeast and is expected to pick up speed and obtain a more southeasterly track later this evening and into Monday. The system is expected to clear Queensland during Monday evening.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is expected in western parts of the Channel Country district during Sunday and into Monday morning. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 40 and 80 mm will become more likely in the evening and overnight period and over areas near the South Australia and New South Wales border. 24-hourly totals between 50 and 100 mm are possible.

Locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is also possible close to the low, particularly on the southern side of the system. Isolated six-hourly totals between 80 and 120 mm are possible with 24-hourly totals exceeding 150 mm. A separate Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued if VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS with INTENSE RAINFALL are detected.

DAMAGING WIND GUSTS in excess of 90 km/h are also possible near thunderstorms near the system.

Conditions are expected to ease in the Channel Country during Monday evening.

A Flood Watch and several Flood Warnings are also current for the Channel Country catchments. See http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings/ for more information.
Locations which may be affected include Birdsville, Bedourie, Orientos, Ballera, Morney and Durrie.
Severe weather is no longer occurring in the North West and Central West districts and the warning for these districts is CANCELLED.

Emergency services advise people to:
* If you have children make sure they are with you or an adult you trust.
* Park your car undercover away from trees.
* Close doors and windows.
* Keep asthma medications close by. Storms and wind can trigger asthma attacks.
* Charge mobile phones and power banks in case the power goes out.
* Put your pets somewhere safe and make sure they can be identified in case they get lost.
* Do not drive now unless you have to because conditions are dangerous.
* Tell friends, family and neighbours in the area.
* Go inside a strong building now. Stay inside until the storm has passed.