Source: Bureau of Meteorology
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 19
Issued at 4:53 am EST on Thursday 25 January 2024
Headline:
Tropical Cyclone Kirrily likely to cross the coast between Ingham
and Bowen tonight. Gales now occurring over Whitsunday Islands, to
extend to the mainland today.
Areas Affected:
Warning Zone
Innisfail to Sarina, including Townsville, Mackay, Bowen, the
Whitsunday Islands, and extending inland to Charters Towers.
Watch Zone
None.
Cancelled Zone
None.
Details of Tropical Cyclone Kirrily at 4:00 am AEST:
Intensity: Category 1, sustained winds near the centre of 75
kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 100 kilometres per
hour.
Location: within 55 kilometres of 17.7 degrees South 150.4 degrees
East, estimated to be 420 kilometres east northeast of Townsville
and 405 kilometres north northeast of Mackay.
Movement: west at 17 kilometres per hour.
Tropical Cyclone Kirrily is expected to continue strengthening as
it tracks west southwest towards the Queensland coast. The system
is likely to cross the Queensland coast tonight, in the vicinity of
Townsville, as a Category 2 system.
In the longer term, the system is likely to track further inland
as a tropical low, resulting in heavy to intense rain to parts of
the northern interior and western Queensland.
Hazards:
GALES with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to 120 km/h are occurring over the
Whitsunday Islands and are expected to extend to mainland
communities between Ayr and Sarina during the morning. GALES with
DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to 120 km/h are expected to extend northward to
coastal and island communities between Ayr and Innisfail, including
Townsville, during this afternoon and evening.
DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS to 140 km/h are expected to develop about
coastal and island communities between Ayr and Bowen, during this
evening extending north to Ingham, including Townsville tonight.
DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS to 140 km/h may extend south to Proserpine,
including the Whitsunday Islands this evening if the system take a
more southerly track.
GALES with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to 90 km/h are expected to extend
to inland areas including Charters Towers overnight tonight into
Friday morning.
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is likely to
develop about coastal areas between Innisfail and Sarina during
this morning before spreading to inland areas later the day and
continuing during Friday. INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to
DANGEROUS AND LIFE THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is possible near the
track of the system, most likely with the coastal crossing during
today and Friday. A flood watch is also current for these
areas.
During Friday, the system is expected to become a tropical low and
HEAVY RAINFALL may develop across the northern interior and western
Queensland into the weekend as the system tracks inland.
As the system approaches and crosses the coast, a STORM TIDE is
expected between Townsville and Mackay. Large waves may produce
minor flooding along the foreshore. People living in areas likely
to be affected by this flooding should take measures to protect
their property as much as possible and be prepared to help their
neighbours.
Recommended Action:
People between Innisfail and Sarina, including Townsville, Bowen,
Mackay, and the Whitsunday Islands, should immediately commence or
continue preparations, especially securing boats and property using
available daylight hours.
People in inland areas to Charters Towers should take precautions
and listen to the next advice.
- Information is available from your local government
- For cyclone preparedness and safety advice, visit Queensland's
Disaster Management Services website
(www.disaster.qld.gov.au)
- For emergency assistance call the Queensland State Emergency
Service (SES) on 132 500 (for assistance with storm damage, rising
flood water, fallen trees on buildings or roof damage).
- If you choose to take shelter away from your home, stay COVID-19
safe and pack a mask and hand sanitiser (if you have them).
Current
Tropical Cyclones
24/Jan/2024 07:44 PM