Queenslanders have been told to prepare for a potential tropical cyclone after torrential rain caused devastating floods yesterday.
A cyclone watch has been issued for a tropical low off the coast of Far North Queensland with the potential for more heavy rain as the state’s flood emergency continues.
The Bureau of Meteorology has warned the weather system swirling over the Coral Sea is strengthening and could develop into a cyclone on Monday as it makes its way towards the mainland.
The low or tropical cyclone is forecast to cross Cape York Peninsula early on Tuesday before it moves west, bringing possible heavy rain, strong winds and localised flooding to northern Queensland.
People between Cape Grenville and Cape Tribulation, including the towns of Lockhart River and Cooktown, have been told to consider what action they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases.
Parts of the state are already experiencing severe flooding in the aftermath of ex-tropical Cyclone Seth, with an unprecedented deluge of rain causing havoc and hindering rescue crews.
Some areas of the Wide Bay-Burnett region were hit by 673mm of rain before Saturday morning that washed away highways and left a man dead and a teenage girl missing.
Weather bureau forecaster Dean Narramore said the ex-tropical cyclone’s remnants combined with very moist and humid air to create a “blob” of heavy rainfall that remained stationary over the region.
“Unfortunately for the communities underneath that heavy rainfall associated with ex-Tropical Cyclone Seth, (they) experienced this torrential rainfall for anywhere from six to 12 hours – that’s what caused the devastating flooding,” he told Sunrise.
Queensland emergency services have urged residents to stay at home, warning that “even if you live in the area this is likely not like any weather you would have seen in your lifetime”.
More rain fell across the state on Saturday, adding to the damage, with major flooding on the Mary River affecting Maryborough and expected to peak later on Sunday.
The body of a 22-year-old Sunshine Coast man was discovered in a ute on Saturday morning after it was swept off Cherry Tree Road at Kanigan near the Bruce Highway on Friday evening.
Police said on Saturday afternoon a man had been found hanging onto a tree in floodwaters near Gympie and his teenage companion was missing.
The pair became trapped near the Burnett Highway and Murgon Gayndah Roads at Booubyjan in the early hours of the day.
“It is believed the pair were in a Toyota Camry sedan and managed to get out of the vehicle before it was swept away,” police said in a statement.
“Shortly before 12.30pm, a 40-year-old man was rescued after being located clinging to a tree and taken to Bundaberg Hospital for treatment.”
Queensland Police said on Sunday morning they were still searching for the 14-year-old girl.
The weather bureau has cancelled a severe thunderstorm warning for the Capricornia and Wide Bay-Burnett regions, saying the immediate threat has passed but the situation will be monitored.
Originally published as Possible cyclone forming off Qld coast as flood emergency continues
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