Tropical Cyclone Kirrily has officially formed off the north Queensland coast, with residents in the state’s far north bracing for impact.
The system is currently a category one, but is expected to continue strengthening as it tracks west-southwest towards the coastline.
The latest tracking map has the storm likely to cross the Queensland coast tonight, in the vicinity of Townsville, as a Category two system.
The Bureau of Meteorology has urged those in the warning zone to prepare for destructive winds, heavy rainfall and flash flooding.
“Gales with damaging wind gusts to 120 km/h are occurring over the Whitsunday Islands and are expected to extend to mainland communities between Ayr and Sarina during the morning,” BOM said.
“Those winds are expected to extend northward to coastal and island communities between Ayr and Innisfail, including Townsville, during this afternoon and evening.”
“Destructive wind gusts to 140 km/h are expected to develop about coastal and island communities between Ayr and Bowen, during this evening extending north to Ingham, including Townsville tonight.
“Heavy rainfall which may lead to flash flooding is likely to develop about coastal areas between Innisfail and Sarina during this morning before spreading to inland areas later the day and continuing during Friday.
“Intense rainfall which may lead to dangerous and life threatening flash flooding is possible near the track of the system, most likely with the coastal crossing during today and Friday.”
After making landfall, the system 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.
“During Friday, the system is expected to become a tropical low and heavy rainfall may develop across the northern interior and western Queensland into the weekend as the system tracks inland,” the weather bureau said.
More than 50 interstate emergency services personnel have been deployed to the region, with authorities assuring locals that help is on hand.
