North Queensland coastal communities are preparing for a severe weather onslaught as a tropical low system over the Coral Sea rapidly intensifies into a cyclone, tracking directly towards the coast.
Emergency Warnings and Community Preparations
Authorities have escalated warnings, issuing a formal shelter in place order and urging residents to stay off roads to give emergency services clear access. The Townsville Local Disaster Management Group has sent out "prepare to shelter now" text alerts to some residents. In anticipation of the storm, people have been flocking to locations like Lou Lister Park to collect sandbags and shore up their properties.
To provide safe haven, emergency refuge centres are scheduled to open at 2pm on Saturday. These include the Walker Street car park in the city, where pets are permitted, and the Heatley Cyclone Shelter. Inspector Todd Noble confirmed police conducted precautionary doorknocks in the low-lying Bluewater area on Friday, warning residents of potential inundation risks.
Timeline and Expected Impacts
The Bureau of Meteorology's latest mapping indicates the system will develop into a Category one cyclone by Saturday evening. It is forecast to make landfall between Townsville and Ayr at approximately 7am on Sunday morning. The primary threats are damaging winds and life-threatening flash flooding.
The escalating situation has forced significant disruptions. Townsville Airport’s civil terminal will close at 4pm on Saturday as the severe weather approaches. The Burdekin Local Disaster Management Group has also moved to stand up status in response to the developing system.
Additional Challenges for Residents
Compounding the cyclone preparations, Townsville is grappling with a separate crisis affecting communications. Technicians are racing to restore services to between 3000 and 5000 customers across the NBN, Telstra, and Optus networks in the Northern Beaches area after cable wires were vandalised. Townsville City Council has stated that emergency calls will be prioritised, but there is no confirmed timeframe for full restoration.
Residents in Cungulla have been advised to conserve water, as heavy rain from the cyclone is expected to impact pumping stations in the Haughton River catchment.
If your life is in danger, call Triple Zero (000) immediately. For cyclone-related assistance, residents should call the SES on 132 500 or use the SES Assistance QLD app.
