Bureau of Meteorology warns North Queensland to brace for heavy rain, strong winds

A deluge of rain is expected to drench North Queensland today, with “life threatening flash flooding” possible and up to 300mm of rain. SEE WHERE HAS COPPED THE MOST RAIN >>

A DELUGE of rain is expected to drench North Queensland today, with “life threatening flash flooding” possible and up to 300mm of rain.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued its latest severe weather warning at 8.28am, forecasting heavy rainfall and locally damaging destructive winds from Atherton to south of Ayr.

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Imogen was responsible for the wild weather, which was now sitting about 80km east of Georgetown, and forecast to track slowly east-southeast towards the coast.

The tropical low that was #CycloneImogen continues to bring heavy rainfall to northeastern parts of Queensland as it tracks slowly east over land. A Severe Weather Warning, Flood Watch and multiple flood warnings are current. See all #QLDweather warnings https://t.co/k3zxS8KXVs pic.twitter.com/9QsNLt0RMq

— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) January 5, 2021

Townsville Airport recorded 30mm of rain in the last 24 hours, Black River record 45mm and Bluewater recorded 43mm, with up to 150mm predicted to fall on Townsville today.

Up to 300mm of rain is forecast to drench North Queensland today. PICTURE: MATT TAYLOR.

The Bureau predicts six hourly rainfall totals between 150mm and 200mm are possible in the warning area, and periods of intense rainfall could lead to “life threatening flash flooding”.

Damaging winds are expected with possible thunderstorms from Ingham to Ayr.

Hinchinbrook copped the strength of the tropical low, with almost 200mm of rain falling in Halifax in the last 24 hours.

Ayr recorded just 13mm of rain in the last 24 hours, and Charters Towers recorded 4.6mm.

BOM also issued a moderate flood warning for the lower Herbert River this morning.

A severe weather warning was issued on Tuesday morning from Atherton to south of Ayr.

The Herbert River at Ingham Pump Station is currently at 6.65 metres and rising. The Herbert River at Ingham Pump Station is likely to exceed the minor flood level (10m) Tuesday afternoon.

The Herbert River at Gairloch is currently at 5.84 metres and rising. The river level is likely to exceed the minor flood level (9.5m) Tuesday afternoon.

The Herbert River at Halifax is currently at 2.47 metres and rising. The river level will exceed the minor flood level (4m) Tuesday afternoon and may reach the moderate flood level (4.5m) Tuesday evening.

Burdekin River at Blue Range.

TOTAL RAINFALL IN THE LAST 24 HOURS

(Stats from the Bureau of Meteorology as of 9.20am, January 5)

Wallaman: 190mm

Cardwell: 113mm

Upper Stone: 208mm

Halifax: 197mm

Paluma: 164mm

Bluewater: 53mm

Toolakea: 69mm

Stony Creek: 36mm

Pallarenda 19mm

Upper Black River: 40mm

Mt Bohle: 38mm

Deeragun: 36mm

South Townsville: 31mm

Giru: 12mm

Rollingstone: 52mm

Originally published as Bureau of Meteorology warns North Queensland to brace for heavy rain, strong winds