Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders and parts of Gulf Country, North Tropical Coast and Tablelands, Herbert and Lower Burdekin, North West and Central West Forecast Districts.

Issued at 4:47 am Friday, 26 January 2024.

EX-TROPICAL CYCLONE KIRRILY TO PRODUCE HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL, WITH POSSIBLE DAMAGING WINDS OVER PARTS OF NORTHERN QUEENSLAND.

Weather Situation: Ex-tropical cyclone Kirrily was located over land approximately 170km west southwest of Townsville at 4:00am AEST. The system is moving west southwest at 24km/h and is forecast to continue tracking in a general southwesterly trajectory across the Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders district during Friday before taking a more westerly track towards the NT border on Saturday.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is occurring in the northern parts of the Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, North Tropical Coast and Herbert and Lower Burdekin districts. HEAVY RAINFALL is forecast to extend further inland towards Richmond during Friday and into the northern parts of the Central West district during Friday evening or early Saturday morning. 6-hourly rainfall totals between 80 to 120 mm are likely, with 24-hourly totals up to 180 mm, particularly on the northern flank of the tropical low.

Locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is also possible on the northern flank of the tropical low. Isolated 6-hourly totals between 150 to 180 mm are possible, with 24-hourly totals of around 250 mm also possible. A separate Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued if VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS with INTENSE RAINFALL are detected.

DAMAGING WINDS with peak gusts of around 90 km/h are possible within the warning area.

Severe weather is expected to slowly extend westwards, subject to the position and strength of the tropical low.

A separate Severe Weather Warning for DAMAGING WINDS is also current for the North Tropical Coast. See http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings/ for more information.

A Flood Watch is also current for coastal and adjacent inland catchments between Tully and Mackay, and parts of the Central West and Gulf catchments. See http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings/ for more information.

Locations which may be affected include Georgetown, Hughenden, Richmond, Julia Creek, Einasleigh and Stamford.

Severe weather is no longer occurring in the Central Highlands and Coalfields district and the warning for this district is CANCELLED.

Mt Garnett recorded 102mm in 6 hours.

Crooks Dam recorded 105mm in 6 hours.

Michael Creek recorded 101mm in 3 hours.

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.