Queensland residents are being urged to prepare for a second cyclone in a month, with experts warning of potential ‘severe impact’ if it hits the coast.
The Bureau of Meteorology on Friday morning warned there was a 55 per cent chance a storm brewing over the Coral Sea could develop into a tropical cyclone.
By Monday, the chance of the storm turning into a cyclone rises to 75 per cent, with it potentially turning into a category three storm or stronger before hitting land.
Authorities confirmed the cyclone would be named Kirrily and would pose a ‘significant risk’ for parts of Queensland’s coast – much of which is still recovering from Cyclone Jasper that hit last month.
‘There is a significant risk that this system may impact the Queensland coast from later Tuesday onwards next week. A severe impact is possible,’ BoM’s update said.
There is a 75 per cent chance a storm brewing over the Coral Sea could develop into Tropical Cyclone Kirrily (pictured) by Monday next week
Senior meteorologist Felim Hanniffy said models suggested the system could ‘form into a severe tropical cyclone’ with ‘wind gusts in excess of 165km/h’.
Mr Hanniffy added there were major uncertainties whether the cyclone would make landfall – and if it does hit the coast, the exact timing remains unclear.
‘Certainly some of the models suggest crossing the course as a severe tropical cyclone as well. So that is a significant watch point,’ he said.
‘But (there are) significant uncertainties at this stage just when and where will it cross the coast or will it cross the coast.
‘The big uncertainty comes from later Tuesday onwards, is where does it go? A lot of models do suggest that the system crosses the Queensland coast and moves inland.’
Queensland Premier Steven Miles said on Friday there was a chance the system could move away from Australia and head towards New Caledonia.
However, he warned the storm could potentially track back to the state’s coast, with residents in Townsville down to Rockhampton in its firing line.
‘If it were to cross the coast, it would be around Wednesday of next week,’ Mr Miles said.
‘It’s a good time for Queenslanders in that part of the coast … to prepare for the cyclone.’
The cyclone could potentially track back to the state’s coast, with residents in Townsville down to Rockhampton in its firing line (pictured, tropical cyclone forecast for Wednesday)
Up to 300mm of accumulated rain is forecast to fall in parts of Queensland and The Northern during the 7 days to Tuesday
Queensland SES crews conducted a search and rescue operation in the flooded area in Queensland on December 18 and rescued more than 300 people from floodwaters
The bureau is expecting the tropical low to move slowly until it begins to head either south or south-southwest from Sunday to Tuesday.
Communities north of Cairns are still reeling from record flooding caused by Tropical Cyclone Jasper, which made landfall in December.
The area was one of the worst hit, with houses destroyed and almost 300 people evacuated from Wujal Wujal.
It comes as heavy rain continues to lash Queensland’s north tropical coast with 24 hour totals of 166mm in the Gilbert River catchment and 130mm at Mareeba.
The area continued to see very heavy rainfall, with 704mm of rainfall at Stewart Creek Valley and 632mm at Daintree Village in the seven days to Thursday.
Authorities issued flood warnings for four rivers in the far north, while the Gold Coast was also flooded after heavy rain and thunderstorms.
Residents are now bracing for more destructive weather, while the government sends emergency housing to areas hit by Cyclone Jasper.
In an Australian first, the Albanese government has begun deploying emergency shelters dubbed Humanihuts for residents north of Cairns.
The Defence Force is also helping deliver a convoy of the containers to the region by barge.
More than 30 huts – each with its own power, water and can sleep up to four people – along with six bathrooms, have been sent to Wujal Wujal, Degarra and Ayton.
An SES member rescues a dog during a search and rescue operation in the flooded area of Queensland, Australia last month
A woman is seen taking a picture of the Coomera river flooding the Clagiraba Road on the Gold Coast on January 2
Meanwhile, the Northern Territory continues to be threatened by flooding as heavy rain lashes the state.
About 100 people from the remote community of Pigeon Hole, west of Katherine, were evacuated on Thursday after homes were inundated with floodwater.
About 40 people from Pigeon Hole – a settlement on Bilinara Aboriginal Land Trust surrounded by Victoria River Downs Pastoral Property – were relocated, while another 50 at nearby Daguragu left for Kalkarindji.
Police predict the Pigeon Hole community could be flooded for up to a week.
There have also been reports on Thursday evening of a helicopter pilot rescuing three people from a truck roof and taking them to Victoria River Roadhouse, west of Katherine.
Heavy rain is set to continue through to the weekend, with 690mm recorded across seven days at Wadeye, south of Darwin.
Widespread falls of 100mm, with heavy showers lashing the Victoria River catchment, has also caused road closures and communities to flood.
Authorities are also on standby at Daly River where flood levels were being monitored.
In Western Australia, about 10,000 people are still without power with outages affecting the Wheatbelt, Goldfields and Great Southern regions following recent storms.