Cyclone Kirrily safety guide: forecast, cyclone track map & road closures

Cyclone Kirrily has been upgraded to a Category 3 cyclone. Here is everything you need to know and the latest warnings and advice from the Bureau of Meteorology, including school closures.

A tropical low off the Queensland coast could develop into Tropical Cyclone Kirrily. Picture: Windy

Cyclone Kirrily is set to cross the coast near Townsville tonight. We’ve listed everything you need to know to prepare for the cyclone and the latest warnings and advice from the Bureau of Meteorology.

Jump to:Cyclone forecast | Track map | Road closures | Places in danger | Evacuation orders | Safety routes | How to stay safe | Cyclone categories

CYCLONE FORECAST

Issued at 4:56 pm EST on Thursday 25 January 2024

Intensity: Category 3, sustained winds near the centre of 120 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 165 kilometres per hour.

Location: within 30 kilometres of 18.8 degrees South 147.4 degrees East, estimated to be 85 kilometres northeast of Townsville and 320 kilometres northwest of Mackay.
Movement: west southwest at 25 kilometres per hour.

Townsville residents ordered to stay indoors as Cyclone Kirrily impacts north Queensland

Qld weather: Tropical cyclone Kirrily weakens, 64,000 properties without power

400mm deluge, dangerous storm surge: TC Kirrily barrels towards Qld

Tropical Cyclone Kirrily expected to form overnight, make landfall Thursday night

Severe Tropical Cyclone Kirrily is expected to track west southwest towards the Queensland coast. Kirrily will cross the Queensland coast tonight, in the vicinity of Townsville, as a Category 3 system then weaken on Friday as it moves inland.From Friday, Kirrily is likely to track further inland as a tropical low, resulting in heavy to intense rain to parts of the northern interior and western Queensland.

CYCLONE TRACK MAP

Keep up to date with the cyclone’s movements here.

Jasper in photos: Cyclone hits Qld

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ROAD CLOSURES AND PREPARATIONS

As of 6.30pm Thursday.

Georgetown / Minnamoolka

Georgetown and 40 Mile Scrub

Heavy rain

Road closed to all traffic

All directions

Long delays expected

Do not drive in flood waters

Burke Developmental Road

Gamboola

Lynd River

Heavy rain

Road closed to all traffic

All directions

Long delays expected

Do not drive in flood waters

Burke Developmental Road

Wrotham

Walsh River (Trimble’s Crossing)

Water over road

Road closed to all traffic

Both directions

Long delays expected

Do not drive in flood waters

Burke Developmental Road

Rookwood

Fergusons Crossing

Water over road

Road closed to all traffic

Both directions

Long delays expected

Do not drive in flood waters

Peninsula Developmental Road (Archer River Bridge)

Coen

Archer River Bridge

Water over road

Road closed to all traffic

Both directions

Delays expected

Do not drive in flood waters

Peninsula Developmental Road (Laura River Bridge)

Laura

CLOSED - Laura River Bridge

Water over road

Road closed to all traffic

All directions

Long delays expected

Do not drive in flood waters

Gulf Developmental Road

Samwell Street

Blackbull / Croydon

ROAD OPEN WITH CAUTION - Croydon to Croydon Shire Council Boundary

Water over road

All lanes affected

Both directions

Do not drive in flood waters

Water over the road at floodways

Peninsula Developmental Road

Laura

CLOSED at Hann River Bridge

Water over road

Road closed to all traffic

Both directions

Do not drive in flood waters

Gregory Developmental Road

Einasleigh / Mount Surprise

Einalseigh to Gulf Developmental Rd.

Heavy rain

Road closed to all traffic

Both directions

Long delays expected

Do not drive in flood waters

Einasleigh River Flooded

Koolatah Oriners Road

Dixie / Maramie

Koolatah to Oriners

Heavy rain

Road closed to all traffic

All directions

Long delays expected

Do not drive in flood waters

First Street

North Street

Forsayth / Georgetown

ROAD OPEN WITH CAUTION - Georgetown to Forsayth

Water over road

All lanes affected

All directions

Diversions are in place

Water over road in multiple locations, gravel sections slippery

Hawkins Creek Road

Dalrymple Creek

Dalrymple Bridge

Heavy rain

Road closed to all traffic

Both directions Delays expected

Do not drive in flood waters

Newtons Crossing Road

Peacock Siding

Road Closed

Heavy rain

Road closed to all traffic

Long delays expected

Do not drive in flood waters

Sand and SES supplied bags are available at seven sites across Townsville:

Ross Dam car park, Upper Ross, behind the Parks compound

Lou Litster Park, behind Officeworks at Hermit Park

The carpark at the Local Disaster Coordination Centre Dalrymple Road Depot

Corner of Bruce Highway & Mt Low Parkway

Bluewater SES Depot

Rupertswood Rural Fire Shed (14 Progress Rd, Alice River)

Cungulla Community Centre

SCHOOL CLOSURES

State school closures:

* Abergowrie State School

5 Venables Road, Abergowrie, 4850

* Airville State School

920 Old Clare Road, Airville, 4807

* Aitkenvale State School

67-85 Wotton Street, Aitkenvale, 4814

* Annandale State School

Cnr Oleander Street & Yolanda Drive, Annandale, 4814

* Ayr State High School

Cnr Edwards & Wickham Streets, Ayr, 4807

* Ayr State School

141 Graham Street, Ayr, 4807

* Belgian Gardens State School

43 Potts Street, Belgian Gardens, 4810

* Bluewater State School

Buckby Street, Bluewater, 4818

* Bohlevale State School

Bohlevale School Road, Burdell, 4818

* Bowen State High School

1-9 Argyle Park Road, Bowen, 4805

* Bowen State School

29 Kennedy Street, Bowen, 4805

* Brandon State School

Drysdale Street, Brandon, 4808

* Burdekin School

159 Young Street, Ayr, 4807

* Bwgcolman Community School

Creek Road, Palm Island, 4816

* Cannonvale State School

56 Coral Esplanade, Cannonvale, 4802

* Clare State School

Larkin Street, Clare, 4807

* Cleveland Education and Training Centre

Old Common Road, Rowes Bay, 4810

* Collinsville State High School

Walker Street, Collinsville, 4804

* Collinsville State School

Devlin Street, Collinsville, 4804

* Cranbrook State School

Alice Street, Cranbrook, 4814

* Currajong State School

140 Palmerston Street, Gulliver, 4812

* East Ayr State School

43-73 Ross Street, Ayr, 4807

* Forrest Beach State School

40 Pandanus Street, Forrest Beach, 4850

* Garbutt State School

76 Chandler Street, Garbutt, 4814

* Giru State School

45-51 Luxton Street, Giru, 4809

* Gumlu State School

De Salis Street, Gumlu, 4805

* Halifax State School

17 Victoria Terrace, Halifax, 4850

* Hamilton Island State School

Hamilton Island, Whitsundays, 4803

* Hayman Island State School

Hayman Island, Whitsundays, 4802

* Heatley Secondary College

Cnr Hanlon Street & Fulham Road, Heatley, 4814

* Heatley State School

410 Fulham Road, Heatley, 4814

* Hermit Park State School

Cnr Surrey & Sussex Streets, Hyde Park, 4812

* Home Hill State High School

First Street, Home Hill, 4806

* Home Hill State School

113 Fourteenth Avenue, Home Hill, 4806

* Ingham State High School

12 Menzies Street, Ingham, 4850

* Ingham State School

28 McIlwraith Street, Ingham, 4850

* Jarvisfield State School

Rita Island Road, Jarvisfield, 4807

* Kalamia State School

Lilliesmere Road, Brandon, 4808

* Kelso State School

Yvette Street, Kelso, 4815

* Kirwan State High School

Hudson Street, Kirwan, 4817

* Kirwan State School

21 Burnda Street, Kirwan, 4817

* Macknade State School

79 Farrell Drive, Macknade, 4850

* Magnetic Island State School

10-16 Mandalay Avenue, Nelly Bay, 4819

* Maidavale State School

Maidavale Road, Airville, 4807

* Merinda State School

Bergl Street, Bowen, 4805

* Millaroo State School

Cunningham Street, Millaroo, 4807

* Mount Fox State School

2957 Mt Fox Road, Mount Fox, 4850

* Mundingburra State School

77 Ross River Road, Mundingburra, 4812

* Mutarnee State School

School Road, Mutarnee, 4816

* North Shore State School

9 Langford Street, Burdell, 4818

* Northern Beaches State High School

Meranti Street, Deeragun, 4818

* Oonoonba State School

Fairfield Waters Drive, Idalia, 4811

* Osborne State School

Kirknie Road, Osborne, 4806

* Paluma Environmental Education Centre

53 Mt Spec Road, Paluma, 4816

* Pimlico State High School

Fulham Road, Gulliver, 4812

* Proserpine State High School

4 Ruge Street, Proserpine, 4800

* Proserpine State School

33 Renwick Road, Proserpine, 4800

* Queens Beach State School

39 Tracey Street, Bowen, 4805

* Queensland Pathways State College - Townsville Campus

1B Core Street, Gulliver, 4812

* Railway Estate State School

39 Railway Avenue, Railway Estate, 4810

* Rasmussen State School

Allambie Lane, Rasmussen, 4815

* Rollingstone State School

Fred Williams Drive, Rollingstone, 4816

* Scottville State School

21 Eleventh Avenue, Scottville, 4804

* The Willows State School

Bilberry Street, Kirwan, 4817

* Thuringowa State High School

26 - 54 Vickers Road South, Condon, 4815

* Toobanna State School

Bruce Highway, Toobanna, 4850

* Townsville Central State School

4 Warburton Street, North Ward, 4810

* Townsville Community Learning Centre - A State Special School

78 Thompson Street, Mundingburra, 4812

* Townsville South State School

78 Tully Street, South Townsville, 4810

* Townsville State High School

36 Boundary Street, Railway Estate, 4810

* Townsville West State School

Wilson Street, West End, 4810

* Trebonne State School

71 Stone River Road, Trebonne, 4850

* Victoria Plantation State School

244 Forrest Beach Road, Victoria Plantation, 4850

* Vincent State School

280 Palmerston Street, Vincent, 4814

* Weir State School

592 Ross River Road, Thuringowa Central, 4817

* William Ross State High School

Mervyn Crossman Drive, Annandale, 4814

* Woodstock State School

Woodstock Avenue, Woodstock, 4816

* Wulguru State School

Edison Street, Wulguru, 4811

Independent school closures:

* Annandale Christian College (Annandale)

104-156 Yolanda Drive, Annandale, 4814

* Burdekin Christian College (Melbourne St - Ayr)

2-12 Melbourne Street, Ayr, 4807

* Calvary Christian College (Mount Louisa)

569 Bayswater Road, Mount Louisa, 4814

* Carinity Education - Shalom (Condon)

190 Hervey Range Road, Condon, 4815

* Eaton College (Mount Louisa)

593 - 615 Bayswater Road, Mount Louisa, 4814

* Enkindle Village School (Douglas)

James Cook Drive, Douglas, 4814

* Hinchinbrook Christian School (Ingham)

77 Halifax Road, Ingham, 4850

* Indie School, Logan (Thuringowa Central)

86 Thuringowa Drive, Thuringowa Central, 4817

* Kutta Mulla Gorinna Special Assistance School (Mackay)

133 Alfred Street, Mackay, 4740

* Mungalla Silver Lining School (Mutarnee)

Spiegelhauer Road, Mutarnee, 4816

* Riverside Adventist School (Aitkenvale)

59 Leopold Street, Aitkenvale, 4814

* Silver Lining School (Cluden)

16 Jurekey Street, Cluden, 4811

* Tec-NQ (Douglas)

54 Discovery Drive, Douglas, 4814

* The Cathedral School of St Anne and St James (Mundingburra)

154 Ross River Road, Mundingburra, 4812

* Townsville Christian College (Vincent)

210 Palmerston Street, Vincent, 4814

* Townsville Grammar School (Annandale)

1 Brazier Drive, Annandale, 4814

* Townsville Grammar School (Burdell)

Cnr Erskine Place & North Shore Boulevard, Burdell, 4818

* Townsville Grammar School (North Ward)

45 Paxton Street, North Ward, 4810

Catholic school closures:

* Burdekin Catholic High School (Ayr)

45 Gibson Street, Ayr, 4807

* Gilroy Santa Maria College (Ingham)

17 Chamberlain Street, Ingham, 4850

* Good Shepherd Catholic School (Rasmussen)

65 Allambie Lane, Rasmussen, 4815

* Holy Spirit Catholic School (Cranbrook)

Hatchett Street, Cranbrook, 4814

* Ignatius Park College (Cranbrook)

368-384 Ross River Road, Cranbrook, 4814

* Marian Catholic School (Currajong)

198 - 208 Hugh Street, Currajong, 4812

* Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School (Ingham)

18 Abbott Street, Ingham, 4850

* Ryan Catholic College (Kirwan)

59 Canterbury Road, Kirwan, 4817

* Southern Cross Catholic College (Townsville)

Gartrell Drive, Annandale, 4814

* St Anthony’s Catholic College (Veales Rd - Deeragun)

Veales Road, Deeragun, 4818

* St Anthony’s Catholic College (Veales Rd and Joanne St - Deeragun)

Cnr Veales Road and Joanne Street, Deeragun, 4818

* St Augustine’s School (Mossman)

Grogan Street, Mossman, 4873

* St Benedict’s Catholic School (Shaw)

890 Dalrymple Road, Shaw, 4818

* St Catherine’s Catholic College The Whitsundays (Proserpine)

96-114 Renwick Road, Proserpine, 4800

* St Clare’s Catholic School (Burdell)

Burdell Drive, Burdell, 4818

* St Colman’s Catholic School (Home Hill)

Eleventh Avenue, Home Hill, 4806

* St Francis Catholic School (Ayr)

99 Edwards Street, Ayr, 4807

* St John Bosco Catholic School (Collinsville)

25 Blake Street, Collinsville, 4804

* St Joseph’s Catholic School, The Strand (North Ward)

Fryer Street, North Ward, 4810

* St Joseph’s School (Mundingburra)

65-75 Ross River Road, Mundingburra, 4812

* St Margaret Mary’s College (Hyde Park)

1-9 Crowle Street, Hyde Park, 4812

* St Mary’s Catholic School (Bowen)

39 Poole Street, Bowen, 4805

* St Michael’s Catholic School (Palm Island)

Banfield Highway, Palm Island, 4816

* St Patrick’s College Townsville (Townsville)

45 The Strand, Townsville, 4810

* St Peter’s Catholic School (Halifax)

15-17 Anderssen Street, Halifax, 4850

* St Teresa’s College (Abergowrie)

3819 Abergowrie Road, Abergowrie, 4850

* Townsville Flexible Learning Centre (Cunningham St - Ayr)

1-45 Cunningham Street, Ayr, 4807

* Townsville Flexible Learning Centre (West End, Townsville)

26 Ingham Road, West End, Townsville, 4810

For child care centres please check the ACECQA website.

For emergency assistance call the Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) onupda 132 500 (for assistance with storm damage, rising flood water, fallen trees on buildings or roof damage).

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Brisbane weather: Residents told to prepare for ‘violent downpours’ in aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Kirrily

FULL LIST OF PLACES IN CYCLONE KIRRILY’S PATH

People between Ingham and Bowen, including Townsville and Ayr 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 (SES) on 132 500 (for assistance with storm damage, rising flood water, fallen trees on buildings or roof damage).

- If you choose to take shelter away from your home, stay COVID-19 safe and pack a mask and hand sanitiser (if you have them).

People between Innisfail and Ingham and between Bowen and Sarina, including Bowen, Mackay, and the Whitsunday Islands, should immediately commence or continue preparations, especially securing boats and property using available daylight hours.

People in inland areas to Charters Towers should take precautions and listen to the next advice.

LOCATIONS UNDER THREAT, FACING WARNINGS AND EVACUATION ORDERS

GALES with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to 120 km/h are occurring over the Whitsunday Islands and are expected to extend to mainland communities between Ayr and Sarina later today.

GALES with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to 120 km/h are expected to extend northward to coastal and island communities between Ayr and Ingham, including Townsville, later this afternoon and evening and may extend north between Ingham to Innisfail if the system takes a track further north.

DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS to 155 km/h may develop about coastal and island communities between Ayr and Bowen, during this evening extending north to Ingham, including Townsville tonight.

VERY DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS to 170 km/hr may occur near the centre as Kirrily crosses the coast.

GALES with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to 90 km/h are expected to extend to inland areas including Charters Towers overnight tonight into Friday morning.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is likely to develop about coastal areas and nearby inland between Tully and Bowen during this afternoon before spreading further inland this evening and Friday.

INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is possible near the track of the system. A flood watch is also current for these areas.

During Friday, the system is expected to become a tropical low and HEAVY RAINFALL may develop across the northern interior and western Queensland into the weekend as the system tracks inland.

As the system approaches and crosses the coast, a STORM TIDE is expected between Townsville and Mackay. Large waves may produce minor flooding along the foreshore. 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 help their neighbours.

EVACUATION CENTRES AND SAFETY ROUTES

Evacuation centres:

Heatley Secondary College, 321 Fulham Road, Heatley Queensland 4814

Wills Street Evacuation Centre, Townsville City, QLD 4818

Place of refuge:

143-201 Walker St, Townsville QLD 4810, Australia

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Flood camera locations:

Allambie Lane

Mount Low - Bridge Overview

HOW TO STAY SAFE DURING THE CYCLONE

To prepare for Cyclone Kirrily you should:

• Check your property for any loose material

• Fill vehicles fuel tanks

• Fill water containers as fresh drinking water may not be available after impact

• Ensure you have an emergency kit on hand

• Make sure household members are aware of where the strongest part of the home is

• Check on your neighbours to make sure they are prepared

• Keep a list of emergency phone numbers on display

• Withdraw a small amount of cash from the ATM as electronic banking may not be available after impact

• Park your vehicle under solid shelter

• Remain indoors unless asked to evacuate

• Pack any essential medications, baby formula, nappies or spare clothes

• Place all important documents and photographs in waterproof bags

• Ensure you have canned food and a can opener

• Make sure you have a portable radio and backup batteries

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Keep pets safe during a cyclone by keeping them indoors with you. Make sure you have them in a carry cage, or they are on a leash. If you have birds they can be transported in a pillowcase in an emergency as long as the pillowcase has a low thread count.

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If you are asked to evacuate do not return to your home until it is safe to do so, or if you are sheltering in-place, stay indoors until you have been told it is safe to go outside. Don’t enter floodwaters and don’t use any electric appliances if they are wet.

Jump to:Cyclone forecast | Track map | Road closures | Places in danger | Evacuation orders | Safety routes | How to stay safe | Cyclone categories

WHAT ARE THE CYCLONE CATEGORIES?

Category: 1 – Tropical Cyclone

Strongest gust: Less than 125 km/h. Gales

Typical effects: Minimal house damage. Damage to some crops, trees and caravans. Boats may drag moorings.

Category: 2 – Tropical Cyclone

Strongest gust: 126-164 km/h. Destructive winds

Typical effects: Minor house damage. Significant damage to signs, trees and caravans. Heavy damage to some crops. Risk of power failure. Small boats may break moorings.

Category: 3 – Severe Tropical Cyclone

Strongest gust: 165-224 km/h. Very destructive winds

Typical effects: Some roof and structural damage. Some caravans destroyed. Power failure likely.

Category: 4 – Severe Tropical Cyclone

Strongest gust: 225-279 km/h. Very destructive winds

Typical effects: Significant roofing and structural damage. Many caravans destroyed and blown away. Dangerous airborne debris. Widespread power failures.

Category: 5 – Severe Tropical Cyclone

Strongest gust: More than 280 km/h. Extremely destructive winds