Intense rain, significant flooding for north-east Queensland

Australian Community Media

Wild weather on its way for the north in wake of cyclone.

Transcript

00:00Intensely heavy rainfall and significant, potentially life-threatening flash flooding

00:04are expected to develop about parts of the north tropical coast from this evening, continuing

00:09over the weekend.

00:11We have a number of warnings already current, with further warnings expected this weekend,

00:15so let me take you through the key risks, starting with a look at today's thunderstorm

00:18outlook.

00:19We'll focus on the yellow area on this map, which shows us where severe thunderstorms

00:23are possible.

00:24Now that covers the stretch of coast between Cooktown and Mackay, some of those inland

00:28areas as well.

00:30In that area, we may see storms becoming severe through this morning and afternoon, producing

00:34heavy rainfall locally that could lead to flash flooding.

00:37We will issue warnings as needed.

00:40As we move into this evening though, that risk of heavy rainfall becomes a lot more

00:44focused on the stretch of coast that extends from Cairns all the way down to Bowen.

00:49That risk is really flagged in our severe weather warning.

00:52It's telling us that we may see these heavy rainfall totals even away from thunderstorm

00:56activity.

00:57Now, this risk from this evening is flagging potential 6-hourly rainfall totals of as much

01:03as 180 mm.

01:05Now that's an incredible amount of rain to fall in such a short space of time, and as

01:09we move into the weekend, we're going to see those rain rates only increasing.

01:14We may in fact see intense rainfall across parts of this coastline over the next few

01:19days, particularly between Innisfail and Eyre, which could lead to life-threatening flash

01:24flooding.

01:25Now that's more than just water moving over roads and footpaths, possibly coming into

01:29your home.

01:30That is flooding that occurs very quickly and can pose a sudden and significant risk

01:35to your life and personal safety.

01:38As well as the flash flooding risk, we're also going to see riverine flooding becoming

01:42increasingly likely over the weekend.

01:45We already have a number of minor flood warnings in place for the Mulgrave River, the Tully,

01:50Murray and Don Rivers, with flood watches extending along this stretch of coast.

01:54Now over the weekend, as those incredible amounts of rain move through our water catchments,

01:59we are likely to see many of these flood watch areas and warnings upgraded to moderate to

02:04major flooding across a broad stretch of this coast.

02:09Riverine flooding is more long-lasting than flash flooding, which means that we could

02:12see these riverine flooding impacts continuing well into next week.

02:17So to recap those hazards quickly, we are likely to see dangerous, life-threatening

02:22flash flooding occurring from this evening into the weekend, where those highest rainfall

02:27totals occur.

02:29We are likely to see prolonged riverine flooding developing this weekend, but continuing into

02:33next week as our river catchments respond.

02:37We're also likely to see damage to your property, your personal property, as well as crops and

02:41vegetation as that water moves across our coastline.

02:45Now the driving factor for all of this wet weather is a low-pressure system that's sitting

02:49to the southeast of Cairns.

02:51That is the tropical low 13u, and it's dragging in a lot of moisture and pushing it across

02:56that part of the coast.

02:58As we move through tonight and across the weekend, we can also see that it's dragging

03:02in some very strong winds and directing them along the same stretch of coast too.

03:06That means that in addition to the rain, we could also see marine gales, some locally

03:11damaging wind gusts, and the possibility of damaging surf along this stretch of coast

03:16this weekend.

03:18The rain is really going to be the main focus though.

03:20Even as we go through Saturday and Sunday and into Monday, we're likely to see heavy

03:25falls still occurring about parts of this stretch of coast as this low-pressure system

03:29refuses to move away.

03:31It is going to result in very high rainfall totals across the period to the end of Monday.

03:36We've got the colours, the purple and black colours, showing the top end of our scale,

03:41well in excess of 300mm likely between Innisfail and Mackay.

03:46In fact, some isolated locations could see more than 500mm or 600mm across the course

03:51of this weekend, depending on exactly where that low-pressure system is sitting.

03:57This weekend presents a significant and dangerous risk of rainfall and flooding for those living

04:03and moving through the North Tropical Coast.

04:05It is essential to keep up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings via the Bureau's

04:09website, the BOM Weather App and via our social media.

04:12Stay safe and we'll catch you in the next update.

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