Cyclone threat looms for rain-battered North Queensland

Multiple cyclones may threaten a rain-hit region already bracing for another deluge after enduring flooding and a major road closure.

Heavy rainfall battered North Queensland overnight, with two people rescued from floodwaters after some areas received more than 300mm.

The Bruce Highway – the state’s major arterial – was closed in the north after significant falls caused by a tropical low off the coast near Cairns.

North Queensland is on flood alert.Credit: Cairns Regional Council

More rain and possible flooding is expected up to the weekend, with the chance of a tropical low in the Coral Sea developing into a cyclone as early as Thursday.

Another tropical low in the Gulf of Carpentaria could also turn into a cyclone by Sunday.

There was a 5 per cent chance that the Coral Sea low would develop into a tropical cyclone on Thursday, increasing to 25 per cent by the weekend, according to forecasters.

“The ocean temperature of the Coral Sea is about 28 to 30 degrees, so ideal conditions for further development. Whether or not it can sustain that development will be the real watch point,” the Bureau of Meteorology’s Jonathan How said.

The bureau is also keeping an eye on the low in the Gulf.

“The low-pressure systems, both in the Gulf of Carpentaria and in the Coral Sea ... have the potential to develop into a tropical cyclone, with a moderate chance from Sunday,” meteorologist Sarah Scully said.

“But regardless of whether these systems do ... this low-pressure system [in the Coral Sea] has the potential to dump an enormous amount of rainfall.”

A second tropical low in the Coral Sea was set to develop near Vanuatu and form a cyclone by the weekend, but it was unlikely to affect the Australian coast.

Premier David Crisafulli said the people of North Queensland had experience with wild weather.

“We are on active alert, so are the local communities, and we’ll do everything possible to make sure those communities are prepared,” Crisafulli said.

Residents have been urged to keep an eye on the latest updates and warnings after Far North Queensland’s deluge, with emergency alerts to be sent via text.

About 316mm was recorded north of Innisfail in 24 hours by Wednesday morning, with Cairns Racecourse receiving 216mm and Gordonvale 213mm.

Heavy rainfall led to flash flooding, with two people rescued at Gordonvale.

A warning of severe weather, which could lead to more flash flooding, remains for the North Tropical Coast and Tablelands.

A number of flood watches have been issued across the region, with warnings current for the Tully and Mulgrave rivers.

As a precaution, dam releases have also been ordered in south-east Queensland to boost flood mitigation capacity in case the weather systems track further south.

AAP