Source: Bureau of Meteorology
Issued at 2:53 pm EST on Thursday 25 January 2024
Headline:
Severe Tropical Cyclone Kirrily to cross the coast near Townsville
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 Severe Tropical Cyclone Kirrily at 3:00 pm AEST:
Intensity: Category 3, sustained winds near the centre of 120
kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 165 kilometres per
hour.
Location: within 30 kilometres of 18.5 degrees South 148.0 degrees
East, estimated to be 155 kilometres east northeast of Townsville
and 320 kilometres north northwest of Mackay.
Movement: west southwest at 22 kilometres per hour.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Kirrily is expected to track west
southwest towards the Queensland coast. Kirrily will cross the
Queensland coast tonight, in the vicinity of Townsville, as a
Category 3 system then weaken on Friday as it moves inland.
From Friday, Kirrily 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 later today. GALES with DAMAGING
WIND GUSTS to 120 km/h are expected to extend northward to coastal
and island communities between Ayr and Ingham, including
Townsville, later this afternoon and evening and may extend north
between Ingham to Innisfail if the system takes a track further
north.
DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS to 155 km/h may develop about coastal and
island communities between Ayr and Bowen, during this evening
extending north to Ingham, including Townsville tonight.
VERY DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS to 170 km/hr may occur near the centre
as Kirrily crosses the coast.
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 and nearby inland between Tully and
Bowen during this afternoon before spreading further inland this
evening and Friday. INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS
AND LIFE THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is possible near the track of
the system. 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 Ingham and Bowen, including Townsville and Ayr
should complete preparations quickly and be prepared to shelter in
a safe place.
- Boats and outside property should be secured using available
daylight hours.
- 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).
People between Innisfail and Ingham and between Bowen and Sarina,
including 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
25/Jan/2024 05:08 AM