Queensland Premier Steven Miles has urged residents to prepare for a potential cyclone, with the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) predicting a “severe impact” if it strikes the coast mid-next week.
On Friday morning, the BoM forecast a 55% chance that a storm forming in the Coral Sea would become a tropical cyclone named Kirrily by late Sunday, with the probability rising to 75% by Monday. The system could reach category three intensity or higher before landfall.
The BoM warned of significant risks from Tuesday onwards, noting a possible severe impact on Queensland’s coast.
BoM warns of severe cyclone risks as storm nears Queensland coast next week.Senior meteorologist Felim Hanniffy highlighted that while some models predict Kirrily could develop into a severe cyclone with wind gusts exceeding 165 km/h, there is considerable uncertainty about the exact timing and location of the landfall.
Models currently suggest Kirrily might take a south-westerly path toward Queensland’s coast early next week, with the critical uncertainty lying in whether it will make landfall or veer away toward New Caledonia.
Premier Miles, who attended the BoM update, emphasized the unpredictability of the storm’s path, which could affect areas from Townsville to Rockhampton or even New Caledonia. He urged residents in potential impact zones to prepare and noted that a track map might be available by late Sunday.
Queensland has already experienced a challenging storm season, with severe flooding from tropical cyclone Jasper in December and ongoing heavy rainfall.
Recent measurements recorded 704mm of rain at Stewart Creek Valley and 632mm at Daintree Village within a week. The Northern Territory has also faced flooding issues, including the evacuation of Pigeon Hole due to inundation.