TC Debbie Information

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TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 18

Issued at 4:57 am EST on Monday 27 March 2017

Headline:

Tropical cyclone Debbie at category 2 intensity off the north Queensland coast.

Areas Affected:

Warning Zone

Lucinda to St Lawrence including Townsville, Ayr, Mackay, and the Whitsunday Islands, and inland of Bowen including Collinsville.

Watch Zone

Innisfail to Lucinda, and inland areas including Charters Towers, Pentland, and Mount Coolon.

Cancelled Zone

None.

Details of Tropical Cyclone Debbie 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 35 kilometres of 18.6 degrees South 150.6 degrees East, estimated to be 400 kilometres east of Townsville and 285 kilometres east northeast of Bowen.

Movement: slow moving.

Tropical cyclone Debbie is expected to continue moving west-southwest towards the north Queensland coast while potentially developing into a severe tropical cyclone during today. Tropical cyclone Debbie is forecast to make landfall between Rollingstone and Proserpine on Tuesday morning.

Hazards:

GALES are now occurring about the Whitsunday Islands, and are expected to extend to the exposed coast and islands elsewhere between Ayr and Mackay this morning. GALES could extend to remaining coastal and adjacent inland areas between Lucinda and St Lawrence later today before potentially extending further north to coastal areas between Innisfail and Lucinda on Tuesday.

DESTRUCTIVE WINDS with gusts over 125 km/h may develop about the exposed coast and islands between Ayr and Mackay later this morning. These DESTRUCTIVE WINDS may then gradually extend further north to Lucinda during today and overnight into Tuesday.

The VERY DESTRUCTIVE CORE of tropical cyclone Debbie is forecast to cross the coast between Rollingstone and Proserpine on Tuesday morning with wind gusts potentially to 230 km/h near the centre.

DESTRUCTIVE WINDS and GALES could extend inland to Charters Towers, Mount Coolon, and Pentland later on Tuesday as the weakening cyclone moves inland.

Abnormally high tides are expected to occur south of Proserpine on the high tides today.

Residents between Lucinda and Mackay are specifically warned of the dangerous storm tide as the cyclone crosses the coast on Tuesday morning. The sea is likely to rise steadily up to a level well above the normal tide, with damaging waves and flooding of some low-lying areas close to the shoreline as the cyclone approaches the coast on Tuesday. 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 later today and continue through Tuesday. Widespread daily rainfall totals of 200 mm, with isolated falls of 400 mm, are also likely to lead to major river flooding over a broad area next week, and a Flood Watch is current for coastal catchments between Cardwell and Gladstone, extending inland to the eastern Gulf River catchments.

Recommended Action:

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.

- 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 on 132 500 (for assistance with storm damage, rising flood water, fallen trees on buildings or roof damage).

People between Lucinda and St Lawrence, and inland to Collinsville, should immediately commence or continue preparations, especially securing boats and property.

- 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 on 132 500 (for assistance with storm damage, rising flood water, fallen trees on buildings or roof damage).

People between Innisfail and Lucinda, and inland to Charters Towers, Pentland, and Mount Coolon 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 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 Monday 27 March.

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

26 March 2017




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