Far north Queensland is on high alert as Tropical Cyclone Koji makes landfall, unleashing torrential rain and damaging winds with the potential for dangerous flash flooding across the region.
Storm Makes Landfall Between Townsville and Bowen
The category one system crossed the coast between Townsville and Bowen on Sunday morning, as forecast by the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM). The bureau has issued severe warnings for intense rainfall and damaging wind gusts of up to 120 kilometres per hour. These conditions pose a significant risk of dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding in areas between Townsville and Proserpine.
Heavy rain has already been lashing communities, with overnight falls of up to 200mm recorded west of Mackay. The Whitsunday Islands have been slammed by damaging wind gusts exceeding 100km/h, while Ayr and Mackay are also experiencing heavy rainfall. The bulk of the precipitation is expected over the next 48 hours, exacerbating conditions in already saturated catchment areas.
Community Prepares as Premier Warns of Dangers
Local communities, many with recent experience of flooding events, have been actively preparing. Federal member for Townsville, Phillip Thompson, was photographed assisting residents with filling sandbags ahead of the severe weather. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli commended the efforts of locals, stating he believed people had "prepared brilliantly" for the incoming deluge.
"If Queenslanders continue to do that then I have every faith we will respond following the event," Crisafulli said on Sunday. He confirmed that emergency resources, including swift-water rescue craft, police, SES officers, and paramedics, were strategically positioned. "The locals know their patch and the challenges," he added, emphasising the coordinated response.
Widespread Warnings and Ongoing Gulf Country Flooding
Severe weather warnings remain current for a vast stretch of the northeast Queensland coast from Townsville to Mackay, encompassing Bowen, Proserpine, and the Whitsunday Islands. The BoM continues to urge residents to stay informed via its official channels.
Meanwhile, separate major flooding continues to affect Gulf Country communities along the Flinders River in the state's northwest, where significant livestock losses are anticipated. As Cyclone Koji moves inland and weakens, gales are expected to ease rapidly, but the threat from intense rainfall will persist.
The event underscores the severe weather challenges facing Queensland, with communities now relying on their preparations and the deployed emergency services to weather the storm.
