Severe Weather Warning (Heavy Rainfall) for parts of North Tropical Coast and Tablelands and Herbert and Lower Burdekin
31 JANUARY 2025 11:56 EST
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
Severe Weather Warning
for Heavy Rainfall
for parts of North Tropical Coast and Tablelands and Herbert and Lower Burdekin Forecast Districts.
Issued at 11:56 am Friday, 31 January 2025.
Isolated heavy falls over Northeast Queensland from this afternoon, becoming heavier and more widespread over the weekend.
Weather Situation
a low offshore of the Northern Queensland Coast is bringing bands of showers and rain onto the coast on its southern flank today, with this rainfall forecast to increase significantly over the weekend as the system stalls along the coast. Very significant rainfall accumulations are expected over the weekend due to the slow-moving nature of the system.
HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
North Tropical Coast and Tablelands and Herbert and Lower Burdekin
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is possible throughout the warning area from this afternoon in localised areas, with 6 hour rainfall totals possibly reaching 180mm and hourly rainfall totals possibly reaching 80-90mm (most likely with isolated thunderstorm activity).
The risk of HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING will increase over the weekend, mostly likely between Innisfail and Ayr, although there is some uncertainty as to exactly where the heaviest rainfall will occur. 6 hour rainfall totals of 100-180mm are likely, with isolated 6 hour totals up to 220mm. 24 hour rainfall totals of 200-300mm are also likely, with isolated falls of up to 500mm.
There is also the risk of very localised intense rainfall over the weekend, which could bring even higher isolated rainfall totals. A separate Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued if necessary.
The potential for heavy rainfall may continue into early next week.
Various flood warnings and watches are in place over Northeast Queensland. See www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings/
Locations which may be affected include Townsville, Palm Island, Ingham, Innisfail, Ayr, Home Hill, Cardwell, Tully, Giru, Clare and Lucinda.
Emergency services advise people to:
* Park your car undercover away from trees.
* Close doors and windows.
* Keep asthma medications close by. Storms and wind can trigger asthma attacks.
* Charge mobile phones and power banks in case the power goes out.
* Put your pets somewhere safe and make sure they can be identified in case they get lost.
* Do not drive now unless you have to because conditions are dangerous.
* Tell friends, family and neighbours in the area.
* Go inside a strong building now. Stay inside until the storm has passed.
The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 5:00 pm AEST Friday.
Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and emergency services would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.
