Townsville residents should prepare to shelter in place as Tropical Cyclone Kirrily moves towards the Queensland coast.
Tropical Cyclone Kirrily is now a category 2 cyclone and is expected to continue strengthening as it tracks west southwest towards the Queensland coast.
Kirrily will make landfall tonight, in the vicinity of Townsville, as a Category 2 system then weaken on Friday as it moves inland.
From Friday, Kirrily is likely to track further inland as a tropical low, resulting in heavy to intense rain to parts of the northern interior and western Queensland.
Gales with damaging wind gusts of up to 120 km/h are expected to extend northward to coastal and island communities between Ayr and Ingham, including Townsville, during this afternoon and evening and may extend north between Ingham to Innisfail if the system takes a track further north.
Destructive wind gusts of up to 140 km/h may develop about coastal and island communities between Ayr and Bowen, during this evening extending north to Ingham, including Townsville tonight.
The Townsville Local Disaster Management Group is continuing to monitor TC Kirrily and provide updates to the community.
Townsville Local Disaster Management Group (TLDMG) Chair Jenny Hill says the Bureau of Meteorology was predicting Tropical Cyclone Kirrily will make landfall as a category 2 system.
“Townsville and surrounds should expect winds to start picking up from around lunch time and we advise people stay off the roads from 2pm today and shelter indoors until advised further.
“The TLDMG will continue to monitor the situation closely and update the community with any relevant information.
“Townsville hasn’t felt the effects of a Tropical Cyclone since Yasi in 2011, so it is important all agencies in the TLDMG are working together to ensure we have an appropriate response.
“As the latest information becomes available we will be tailoring our response to meet the situation.”
Cr Hill is asking residents to stay safe by sheltering in place, and for those who don’t feel comfortable staying in their homes to seek shelter with friends or relatives or alternatively at one of Council’s evacuation centres.
The two centres now operational are Heatley Public Cyclone Centre, located at Heatley Secondary College, and the Wills Street evacuation centre in Townsville City – also known as the basement carpark of 143 Walker street.
“Please if you are considering going to an evacuation centre make sure you only bring essential items with you like food, water and any important documentation or medication you may require.
“For those who are worried about their furry friends and don’t feel comfortable sheltering in their own homes the 143 Walker Street Car Park Place of Refuge is pet friendly.
“Pets must be restrained, preferably in a crate or animal carrier, and you must bring sufficient supplies, including a lead, collar or muzzle if required, food and water, any medication your pet may require and supplies to remove animal waste for the duration of your stay.
“Please stay off the roads, and if you have to drive, drive to the conditions.
“If it’s flooded, forget it.
“Parents should be keeping their children indoors and we urge them to make sure they refrain from playing in floodwaters, particularly around the city’s weirs after the event.”
