Cyclone Kirrily is expected to cross the Queensland coast tonight, with its impacts already starting to be felt after it was officially declared late Wednesday.
The system is expected to make landfall as a category two cyclone between Ingham and Bowen, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) says, bringing wind gusts of up to 120kph with it.
The cyclone is expected to cross on the lower end of category two severity.
"It's not looking likely to move to the higher end of the category or even make a last-minute push to a category three," BOM forecaster Patch Clapp said.
But a low category two system could bring more rainfall than one on the higher end, he said.
The current warning zone stretches from Innisfail to Sarina and inland to Charters Towers, including Townsville, Mackay, Bowen and the Whitsundays.
The Bureau has also warned of storm tides between Townsville and Mackay as the cyclone approaches, which could cause flooding.
More than a hundred schools will be closed today, including 79 state schools. Several Australia Day celebrations in the firing line of the cyclone have also been cancelled.
Townsville Airport will close from midday, and while Mackay Airport remains open for now, several airlines have cancelled flights in anticipation of the severe weather.
All venues at the popular tourist destination of Hamilton Island have closed, with residents and guests asked to remain in their place of residence until further advice is issued.
All transport to and from the island has been suspended, with today's flights and ferry services cancelled.
A community refuge centre has been opened on the island to provide shelter for those who need it.
An extra 100 Queensland Fire and Emergency Service staff have been deployed to Townsville, where two evacuation centres have been opened.
On the outskirts of Townsville at Cungulla, police yesterday went door-to-door where there was a risk of flooding.
Peter and Diane Boud have chosen not to evacuate — instead they have stocked three fridges, tied up their loose furniture, and have a generator on stand-by in the likelihood the power goes out.
"We've got a few beers and a few wines in the fridge," Mr Boud said.
In Proserpine, Brad Kissier said he was reminded of Cyclone Debbie.
"It's just another day but it does feel like Cyclone Debbie, it's a clear day and Debbie came the next day so you can't be too prepared," he said.
"In the end when it passes over it's just another day of helping each other clean up."
Indirect impact to the south
The system is expected to move west towards the Northern Territory but southern and south-east Queensland may feel an "indirect impact", including heavy rainfall and flooding over the weekend.
In Brisbane, 100,000 sandbags were made available to residents.
"We need to expect the worst and hope for the best and the way we do that is by being ready and being prepared," Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said.
"Huge amounts of rainfall and concentrated catchments can lead to very rapid flash flooding."
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2024-01-24 20:11:22Z
CBMiYWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDI0LTAxLTI1L3Ryb3BpY2FsLWN5Y2xvbmUta2lycmlseS1xdWVlbnNsYW5kLWJvbS1sYW5kZmFsbC8xMDMzODQ5NDTSAShodHRwczovL2FtcC5hYmMubmV0LmF1L2FydGljbGUvMTAzMzg0OTQ0
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