Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk warns of cyclones, floods as La Nina threatens months of wild weather

The Premier is warning Queenslanders to prepare for months of wild weather driven by a triple La Nina, including cyclones within weeks and months of flooding.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has warned Queenslanders to get ready now ahead of an expected wet and wild summer of weather, which could include heavy rainfall and cyclones as early as November.

Ms Palaszczuk said the state was likely to see “a lot more rain” in the coming months and urged homeowners to prepare before the weather arrives.

“What I’m saying is now is the time to get ready,” she said.

“Instead of our traditional cyclones coming around December or January, we’re expecting cyclones could form as early as November.”

Cyclones could start hitting Queensland by November. Picture: Supplied

The Premier urged Queensland homeowners to be “conscious of where they live” and motorists to “be very conscious that if it’s flooded, forget it.”

“So many times we have lost lives tragically due to the fact that people have gone through flooded waters.”

Ms Palaszczuk issued the warning to Queenslanders after a cabinet briefing from the Bureau of Meteorology, which also coincides with the state government’s Get Ready campaign

“Now is the time to think about your cyclone preparation,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“We didn’t see many cyclones cross the coast last year but that may not be the case this year.”

Bureau of Meteorology Meteorologist Laura Boekel said the current La Nina conditions meant “Queensland has a higher chance of flooding and seeing tropical cyclones” this summer.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is warning Queenslanders to prepare for months of wild weather. Picture: Tara Croser.

“We’ve already started to see (flooding) impacts in the west and the Macintyre River and other western parts of Queensland,” she said.

“With more rain in the outlook for summer these impacts can continue across large parts of Queensland, so it is important to remember that this rain is falling into quite wet catchments.”

Ms Boekel said saturated catchments meant any rainfall would quickly turn into run-off and could lead to overwhelmed creeks, rivers, and waterways.

“The chance of widespread flooding across Queensland is higher this season.”

“Even though the season starts on November first and runs through to April, because of La Nina we are expecting possible cyclone impacts earlier this year and that is typical of what we would see during a normal La Nina season,” Ms Boekel said.

She said the Sunshine State usually can expect four cyclones to form each year, with an average of two impacting the coastline.

“In La Nina that number can increase.”

“There’s a higher chance that we will see more than average cyclones this season.”

Ms Boekel urged Queenslanders to download the Bureau of Meteorology mobile phone application to ensure emergency alerts, forecasts, and push notifications can be sent to people at the right time.

The warning comes as several Queensland emergency workers head south of the border to assist flooded New South Wales residents.

“The forecast from the Bureau is that the situation in New South Wales and Victoria will potentially get worse, so we’re sharing with New South Wales some of our best and brightest when it comes to keeping people safe,” Police and Emergency Services Minister Mark Ryan said.

He said the severe weather and flooding impacting southern states was a timely reminder for Queenslanders to make sure they have an emergency kit and an emergency plan should similar weather impact Queensland.

“This is an important time now to prepare so that you are in the best possible position to keep yourself, your family, and emergency services who may be required to respond in your time of need, as safe as possible.”

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