Boating Warning: Prepare for a cyclone in Queensland

North Queensland is on high alert after the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) confirmed the Tropical Cyclone Debbie was forecast to reach a Category 4 cyclone and impact the Cardwell, Townsville, Ayr, Bowen, Proserpine, Whitsundays region.

The latest track shows the Whitsundays and Hamilton Island are right in its extreme path and the previous Category 4 at landfall has been extended to apply from 7am tomorrow March 28 when the destructive eye of the cyclone passes through the Whitsundays islands and makes landfall between Bowen and Airlie Beach.

WHITSUNDAYS WARNING
People on the Whitsunday Islands should complete preparations quickly and be prepared to shelter in a safe place.
>> Boats and outside property should be secured using available daylight hours.
>> People between Cardwell and St Lawrence, and inland to Collinsville and Charters Towers, should immediately commence or continue preparations, especially securing boats and property.
>> People inland of Lucinda to Mackay including Pentland and Mount Coolon should consider what action they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases.

Boaters should prepare now for the worst to eventuate. Read what you need to know to prepare your boat for the cyclone season.

For further information on Cyclone Debbie's track and status go to www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/.

BOM says Debbie is "probably the most significant tropical cyclone since Yasi [2011] that we've had to deal with in Queensland."

Cyclone Debbie reached a Category 3 on Monday March 27 but was forecast to reach a Category 4 by 2am on Tuesday March 28, making landfall south of Bowen down to Airlie Beach as a Category 4 which it will become a Category 2 by 2pm

The impact of #CycloneDebbie will be felt from Cardwell and Townsville to St Lawence south of Mackay.

STAY INFORMED
Communities in North Queensland should begin their preparations now,
stay tuned for the latest official forecasts and warnings from the
Bureau and follow the advice of local emergency services.

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.

CATEGORY 4 CYCLONE
Severe tropical cyclone:
Significant roofing loss and structural damage. Many caravans destroyed and blown away. Dangerous airborne debris. Widespread power failures.

A Category 4 cyclone's strongest winds are VERY DESTRUCTIVE winds with typical gusts over open flat land of 225-279km/h.
These winds correspond to the highest category on the Beaufort scale, Beaufort 12 (Hurricane).

The VERY DESTRUCTIVE CORE of Tropical Cyclone Debbie is currently expected to cross the coast between Townsville and Proserpine on Tuesday morning, most likely as a CATEGORY 4 tropical cyclone, with wind gusts up to 260 km/h near the centre.

Abnormally high tides are expected to occur between at least Lucinda and Mackay as the cyclone approaches the coast. Large waves may also develop along the beachfront. People living in areas likely to be affected by this flooding should take measures to protect their property as much as possible and be prepared to follow instructions regarding evacuation of the area if advised to do so by the authorities.

Areas of heavy rain with the potential to cause severe flash flooding are expected to develop about parts of the northern and central Queensland coast and adjacent inland areas late on Sunday and continue through Monday and Tuesday. Major river flooding may also develop over a broad area next week and a Flood Watch is current for coastal catchments between Cairns and Gladstone, extending inland to the eastern Gulf River catchments.

SEVERE CYCLONE SEASON
In September 2016, the BOM warned of a bad cyclone season ahead. Tropical #CycloneDebbie is shaping up to be a destructive cyclone.

"While it may have been a slow start to season, February and March are
the peak months for tropical cyclone activity in the Eastern Region and
Coral Sea, with conditions becoming more favourable for development from
Saturday onwards," said Queensland Regional Director Bruce Gunn.

There have been four tropical cyclones already this season, Yvette in December, Alfred in February, Blanche and Caleb in March.

The last tropical cyclone to cross the Queensland coast was Tropical Cyclone Nathan, which crossed near Cape Flattery, north of Cooktown (20 March, 2015) as a Category 4 system. It caused millions of dollars in damage including to Lizard Island and The Reef.

When we first went to press with this, it was a wait and see. But things have moved into the danger zone and a Category 4 #CycloneDebbie is coming.

Stay safe.

For further information go to www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/.

Read what you need to know to prepare your boat for the cyclone season.