News Headlines for Mackay & the Whitsundays, Tuesday 3rd April 2018

Here is the latest from the Newsroom.


Article heading image for News Headlines for Mackay & the Whitsundays, Tuesday 3rd April 2018

 

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 2
Issued at 5:15 am EST on Tuesday 3 April 2018

Headline: 
Tropical cyclone warning has been declared for parts of the Lower Burdekin, Central Coast & Whitsunday Islands.

Areas Affected: 
Warning zone: Ayr to Mackay, including the Whitsunday Islands.

Watch zone: Mackay to St Lawrence.

Cancelled zone: None.

Details of Tropical Cyclone Iris at 4:00 am AEST:
Intensity: Category 2, sustained winds near the centre of 100 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 140 kilometres per hour.
Location: within 55 kilometres of 17.4 degrees South 148.6 degrees East, estimated to be 310 kilometres east of Cairns and 285 kilometres northeast of Townsville. 
Movement: south at 6 kilometres per hour.

Tropical cyclone Iris has continued to intensify while moving slowly south overnight and is now a category 2 cyclone.

Tropical cyclone Iris is expected to continue moving slowly to the south through most of today while continuing to intensify, before curving more to the southeast, parallel to the Queensland coast, on Wednesday. At this stage, the cyclone is not expected to cross the Queensland coast but may approach the coast close enough to produce significant impacts.

Hazards:
DESTRUCTIVE WINDS extend outwards to 100 kilometres from the centre and may impact the coastal fringe and islands between Bowen and Mackay, including the Whitsunday Islands, from early Wednesday morning.

GALES extend outwards to around 150 kilometres from the centre and may develop about coastal and island communities between Ayr and St Lawrence, including Mackay and the Whitsunday Islands, from this evening or early Wednesday morning, then extend south to St Lawrence later on Wednesday.

Heavy rainfall which may lead to flash flooding may develop during Tuesday and Wednesday. A Flood Watch is current for coastal catchments between Rollingstone and St Lawrence.

Recommended Action:
People between Ayr and Mackay, including the Whitsunday Islands, should immediately commence or continue preparations, especially securing boats and property [using available daylight hours].
- For cyclone preparedness and safety advice, visit Queensland's Disaster Management Services website (www.disaster.qld.gov.au)
- For emergency assistance call the Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) on
132 500 (for assistance with storm damage, rising flood water, fallen trees on buildings or roof damage).

People between Mackay and St Lawrence should consider what action they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases.
- Information is available from your local government
- For cyclone preparedness and safety advice, visit Queensland's Disaster Management Services website (www.disaster.qld.gov.au)
- For emergency assistance call the Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) on
132 500 (for assistance with storm damage, rising flood water, fallen trees on buildings or roof damage).

Next Advice:
The next advice will be issued by 8:00 am AEST Tuesday 03 April.

This warning is also available through TV and Radio Broadcasts; the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 212. The Bureau and the State Emergency Service would appreciate this warning being broadcast regularly.

A map showing the track of the cyclone is available at:
http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone

 

A Whitsunday Island Resort snapped up for a new lease on life. Australian company Sojourn Properties taking over the lease at Paradise Bay on Long Island. The resort abandoned in 2015 upon suffering damage in Cyclone Marcia. While sustaining considerable damage the new owners say a lot of it is cosmetic and they hope to welcome visitors back to the resort before October this year.

 

CQ Nurses are hoping to help Mackay businesses stop the spread of flu in their workplaces this year. It's as last year was one of the worst recorded seasons on record, with over $2 billion lost in days off. The company coming out to give staff a quick flu shot in the comfort of the office. Local Immunisation Coordinator Brittany Eden says the cost of sickies affects everyone.

 

LOCAL SPORT

 

Mackay residents are invited to a family fishing event Operation target tilapia from 10am until 2 next Saturday the 14th at Mackay Gooseponds The pest fishing competition has prizes available for capturing the first, largest, and the most

 

Mackay Touch Footy legend Georgia Harris to head to Malaysia. She's been invited to attend the 2018 Youth World Cup

Residents in Mackay & the Whitsundays are bracing after #CycloneIris reformed. Mayor Greg Williamson says "Its unpredictable. You just don't know what is going to happen"

WEATHER

MACKAY & WHITSUNDAYS:  Tropical Cyclone Iris lies over the northwest Coral Sea and should continue to move to the south this morning and intensify, before curving more to the southeast, parallel to the Queensland coast on Wednesday. The tropical cyclone is expected to remain offshore of the Queensland coast, but there remains some uncertainty with the movement of the system. Storm force winds should extend about the offshore waters between Townsville and Mackay for today and tomorrow. Gale force winds should extend from Cairns to St Lawrence today and tomorrow.

ON THE WATERS: Above 34 knots possible depending on movement and development of Tropical Cyclone Iris. Waves Seas and swell exceeding 4m.

2 April 2018




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