Cyclone Debbie is on her way
0Townsville and surrounds are likely to feel the force of Tropical Cyclone Debbie.
Local Council is recommending that you begin undertaking your emergency preparations for your home and family and review your personal emergency and evacuation plans.
The tropical low over the central Coral Sea has developed into Tropical Cyclone Debbie earlier this morning. The system has been moving slowly southwards overnight, but has recently shown signs of shifting onto a west-southwest track.
This general west-southwesterly motion is expected to continue for the next few days, bringing the cyclone towards the north Queensland coast. Conditions are expected to favour the continued intensification of the cyclone as it approaches the coast over the weekend and into early next week.
Residents in the watch area are urged to prepare now for the cyclone to make landfall on Monday or Tuesday.
Although the strongest winds are near the core, damaging and destructive winds can extend several hundred kilometres from the cyclone’s centre. These areas may be affected by gales as early as tomorrow (Sunday).
Queensland Regional Director Bruce Gunn has urged the public to stay tuned for the latest official forecasts and warnings from the Bureau, and follow the advice of local emergency services.
“Based on current modelling, the most likely scenario is for Cyclone Debbie to make landfall near Townsville, a little further south than the first advice issued.
“The intensity will depend on how much time the cyclone spends over the water, with current modelling suggesting the system will intensify to severe tropical cyclone strength Category 4 [on a scale of one to five, with five being the highest].
“Storm surge is also a risk factor. If the cyclone crosses the coast on the high tide, this will enhance these effects.
“Heavy rainfall is likely to continue well into next week for northern and central Queensland. This rainfall comes on the back of significant recent rainfall around Mackay, where catchments are already susceptible to flooding,” said Mr Gunn.
A Flood Watch has also been issued for coastal catchments between Cairns and Gladstone extending inland to the eastern Gulf Rivers. Localised flash flooding is also likely, and the public is urged to exercise caution if caught in a heavy downpour and never walk, ride or drive through floodwaters.
Review your emergency kit and discuss your emergency plans with your household and family. Ensure you have medicines, water and non-perishable food if you become isolated.
Prepare your property by moving any loose items indoors or securing them and ensuring your roof is in good condition with gutters clear of leaf litter.
The Bureau’s Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre in Brisbane operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with forecasters monitoring the situation and providing the latest information for emergency services, media and the community.
Follow us on Twitter @BOM_Qld and remember www.bom.gov.au remains the most up-to-date and comprehensive official source of information.
Cyclone watches and cyclone warnings—what’s the difference?
The Bureau of Meteorology issues Cyclone ‘Watches’ or ‘Warnings’ depending on how immediate the threat is.
Cyclone watch—issued when cyclonic winds are expected within 24 to 48 hours.
Cyclone warning—issued when cyclonic winds are expected within 24 hours.
Storm tides are dangerous in their own right.
The combination of storm surge and normal (astronomical) tide is known as a ‘storm tide’. The worst impacts occur when the storm surge arrives on top of a high tide. When this happens, the storm tide can reach areas that might otherwise have been safe. On top of this are pounding waves generated by the powerful winds.
The area of sea water flooding may extend along the coast for over 100 kilometres, with water pushing several kilometres inland if the land is low lying.
The combined effects of the storm tide and waves can knock down buildings, wash away roads and run ships aground. If you are caught in your home or in a car when a significant storm surge arrives, you may not survive.
How to read and use the storm tide evacuation maps:
- Identify your suburb from the list below. If you are not located in a coloured evacuation zone, your suburb will not be shown on the detailed maps below.
- Double click the map and use the zoom in tool for further map detail. You should now be able to identify what zone you’re in.
- If you are in one of the coloured zones, you may be at risk from storm tide flooding during cyclones.
- Identify your evacuation route to your pre-determined safer location.
- During a cyclone event tune into warnings, authorities will advise which zones need to evacuate.
*PLEASE NOTE >> The map above provides an overview only. Detailed map information by suburb is available here.
To fully prepare your home – https://www.qld.gov.au/emergency/dealing-disasters/prepare-home.html
Have your Emergency Kit ready – (https://www.qld.gov.au/emergency/dealing-disasters/emergency-kit.html and prepare yourself for the possibility of evacuation. The Get Ready website offers a three step plan:
1. Research hazards and disaster management arrangement in your community.
2. Discuss possible scenarios and responses with your household.
3. Checklist for evacuation
If you are visiting or holidays in Queensland, or interstate, and do not have family or friends to shelter with, contact your accommodations manager to identify options for evacuation.
To see the comprehensive plan, to organise an evacuation kit and more, head to – https://www.qld.gov.au/emergency/dealing-disasters/evacuation-kit.html
Don’t forget about your furry family members! Please ensure:
- Your pet has access to plenty of food and fresh water.
- Your pet has shelter and bedding.
- All animals under your care can be properly and easily identified.
- You have telephone numbers for your veterinarian or animal welfare agency included in your household emergency kit.
- You never leave an animal tied-up or chained without shelter and bedding.
- You never leave an animal in a motor vehicle.
- For more detailed information, please visit https://www.qld.gov.au/emergency/dealing-disasters/prepare-pets.html
Neighbours can help each other in many ways and can include people in your street or community. There may be people who could need more help than others in the case of an emergency—help that often can be provided by neighbours.
To view all information on how to prepare, visit https://getready.qld.gov.au/natural-disasters/cyclones/.
For up to date information, visit Townsville Disaster Info facebook page.