Tropical Cyclone Kirrily has been officially recognised as a category one storm in the Coral Sea, according to Queensland Bureau of Meteorology.
The storm is expected to continue strengthening as it tracks west south-west towards the Queensland coast, the Bureau of Meteorology stated on Wednesday evening.
The weather bureau also stated that a coastal crossing is likely Thursday evening between Cardwell and Bowen.
Kirrily is expected to quickly weaken to a tropical low after it crosses the coast, before moving “further inland and then west south-west across central Queensland.
⚠️🌀Tropical Cyclone Kirrily, category 1, has developed in the Coral Sea. The latest track map shows the system crossing the coast tomorrow evening between Cardwell & Bowen, with damaging winds developing overnight tonight in coastal areas. Latest advice: https://t.co/oUQdMnys3h pic.twitter.com/3YNWVXNJmC
— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) January 24, 2024
This would bring heavy to intense rainfall to areas across northern interior and western Queensland during Friday and into the weekend,” the BoM said.
The bureau advised Queensland communities to stay up to date with forecasts and warnings.
Coastal and island communities were likely to begin to feel the impacts of Kirrily on Wednesday night and Thursday morning, the BoM said.
Warning zone areas ranged from Cardwell to Sarina, including Townsville, Mackay, Bowen, the Whitsunday Islands, and extended inland to Charters Towers, while the area from Innisfail to Cardwell was labelled a watch zone.
“People between Innisfail to Cardwell, and inland to Charters Towers, should consider what action they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases,” the BoM said.
Those located between Cardwell to Townsville and Bowen to Sarina, including Mackay and Bowen, were advised to take precautions and listen to the next advice.
The bureau urged people between Townsville and Bowen, and the Whitsunday Islands, to “immediately commence or continue preparations, especially securing boats and property using available daylight hours”.
Hazards including gales and damaging wind gusts of up to 120km/h were likely to develop on Thursday, the BoM said.
The bureau also warned of intense rainfall which could lead to dangerous and life threatening flash flooding was possible during Thursday and Friday.
The storm is expected to become a tropical low on Friday, and heavy rainfall “may develop across the northern interior and western Queensland into the weekend as the system tracks inland”, the BoM said.
Earlier on Wednesday, Stephen Smith, the acting commissioner of Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, stated that there were extremely saturated catchments and that they would respond swiftly. And that poses a considerable risk to life.”
Recovery crews have already been deployed to the highest-risk areas, including about 100 generation sets, and about 100 firefighters including many from interstate.
The deputy commissioner of disaster and emergency management, Shane Chelepy, urged residents to get prepared.
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