Key Takeaways:
- Ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji has brought heavy rain and flash flooding to north Queensland, with some areas expected to receive up to 340mm of rain in the next 24 hours.
- The Bureau of Meteorology has issued severe weather warnings and flood warnings for several areas, including Finch Hatton and Eungella to the west of Mackay.
- Several boats have broken free of their anchorages and been pushed onto shore, with two men rescued after a boat sank near Pigeon Island.
- A woman and two children were rescued after driving into floodwater in Bogie, south-west of Bowen.
- The Bruce Highway has reopened, but motorists are being urged to proceed with caution due to water over the road in several places.
- The Proserpine and Mackay airports remain closed, while Townsville Airport has reopened.
Introduction to the Storm
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji has brought heavy rain and flash flooding to north Queensland, with communities being warned to expect more of the same overnight. The storm crossed the north Queensland coast between the towns of Ayr and Bowen on Sunday morning, weakening into a tropical low-pressure system. However, authorities have warned that significant rainfall remains a concern, with the Bureau of Meteorology predicting that some areas could see up to 340mm of rain in the next 24 hours. The heavy rain and flash flooding have already caused significant damage, with several boats breaking free of their anchorages and being pushed onto shore.
Impact on Communities
The impact of the storm has been felt across north Queensland, with several communities affected by the heavy rain and flash flooding. The Whitsundays Mayor, Ry Collins, said that the coast has been "whipped up" by the storm, with several vessels coming away from their moorings in the Airlie Beach area. In addition, two men were rescued after a boat sank near Pigeon Island, and a woman and two children were rescued after driving into floodwater in Bogie, south-west of Bowen. The Queensland Premier, David Crisafulli, said that crews are working to restore power to about 22,000 homes, with most outages in the Mackay and Whitsundays regions.
Weather Warnings and Flood Warnings
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued severe weather warnings and flood warnings for several areas, including Finch Hatton and Eungella to the west of Mackay. The warnings are in place due to the potential for life-threatening flash flooding, with the storm expected to produce locally intense rainfall. The BOM has also warned of strong winds and rough ocean conditions, with wind gusts of up to 113 kilometers per hour recorded at Hamilton Island. The heavy rain has already caused significant flooding, with the heaviest falls recorded in the 24 hours to 9am on Sunday, including 362mm of rain at Clarke Range, inland of Mackay.
Response and Relief Efforts
The response to the storm has been swift, with extra SES members, Queensland Police, and Ambulance officers deployed to the Whitsunday Islands in anticipation of the cyclone’s impact. The Ergon Energy spokesperson, Justin Coomber, urged residents to report and stay away from any downed powerlines and treat them as if they are live. The Queensland Premier, David Crisafulli, said that crews are working to restore power to about 22,000 homes, with most outages in the Mackay and Whitsundays regions. The Bruce Highway has reopened, but motorists are being urged to proceed with caution due to water over the road in several places.
Ongoing Concerns
Despite the storm weakening into a tropical low-pressure system, authorities are warning that the risk of flash flooding remains high. The BOM has warned that the storm could produce locally intense rainfall, with six-hourly rainfall totals of up to 150mm possible. The Whitsundays Mayor, Ry Collins, said that the impact of the storm is being felt, and residents are being urged to remain cautious. The Mackay Mayor, Greg Williamson, said that heavy flooding along the upper Pioneer Valley is easing, but urged people to remain cautious, saying "we’re not out of the woods yet". The storm is expected to continue to affect north Queensland overnight, with residents being warned to expect more heavy rain and flash flooding.