Ex-Tropical Cyclone Kimi stays off coast and weakens
UPDATE: Cyclone Kimi has weakened into a tropical low off the North Queensland coast, enabling the airport to re-open and flights to depart. SEE THE LATEST >>
Townsville
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UPDATE TUESDAY, 9am: Townsville will likely miss any chance of heavy rain from ex-Tropical Cyclone Kimi as it weakens off shore.
The system was downgraded early this morning and is expected to move north, away from the region today.
Meteorologist Dean Marramore said the region could expect to see showers, at best.
“The heavy rain is going to stay offshore, with a possible storm throughout the day,” Mr Marramore said.
“The low will continue to weaken and move north.”
Mr Marramore said the sun was forecast to come out tomorrow.
While Ex-Tropical #CycloneKimi has weakened into a tropical low there are still impacts to be felt from rainfall and strong winds in the North Tropical Coast as the Bureau continues to monitor the system presently offshore. Stay up to date with #QLDweather https://t.co/hL595b01Eg pic.twitter.com/u6jgI59elA
— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) January 18, 2021
UPDATE TUESDAY, 6am: Cyclone Kimi has weakened into a tropical low off the North Queensland coast, but heavy rain is still expected.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued the latest details on the weather system about 4am, stating significant impacts were no longer expected.
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Kimi is about 135km off the coast of Townsville, and is expected to remain slow-moving well off the coast for much of Tuesday.
It is then expected to track back towards the north late this afternoon as a weak tropical low.
Heavy rainfall with the potential to produce flash flooding and major river flooding may still affect coastal areas between Innisfail and Bowen on Tuesday and Wednesday if the remnant low moves closer to the coast.
The Townsville Airport terminal will reopen at 8am this morning. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the early morning airport closure. If you are travelling today, we encourage you to check with your airline about the status of your flight. #TCKimi pic.twitter.com/OLTYPfKARb
— Townsville Airport (@TSVAirport) January 18, 2021
Townsville Airport will re-open this morning from 8am, after previously announcing the terminal could be closed from 10pm on Monday night due to the weather.
UPDATE 8PM: Cyclone Kimi is travelling parallel to the coast, and now forecasters say a coastal crossing between Townsville and Hinchinbrook Island is unlikely.
The system is currently about 150 kilometres north-northeast of Townsville and moving south-southeast at 16km/h.
Cyclone Kimi is expected to continue on a south-eastwards movement tonight and become slow moving on Tuesday, off the coast between Hinchinbrook Island and Townsville.
“As the cyclone moves southwards, it is expected to weaken below category 2 strength tonight. Further weakening is likely as it stalls off the coast on Tuesday. Longer term movement is expected to be back towards the north as a weak tropical low,” the Bureau of Meteorology said in its latest forecast.
“The system’s movement has been erratic, however, due to its recent movement towards the south-southeast, a coastal crossing between Hinchinbrook Island and Townsville tonight or early tomorrow is now unlikely.”
Gales with gusts to 120km/h are possible about coastal and island communities between Innisfail and Ayr tonight and Tuesday.
Gales may also extend southwards to Bowen later on Tuesday depending on the movement and strength of the cyclone.
UPDATE 6.54PM: The Townsville Airport has issued an alert saying the terminal will be closed from 10pm tonight in response to Tropical Cyclone Kimi weather warnings.
Townsville Airport general manager Brendan Cook said the situation will be reassessed on Tuesday morning.
Mr Cook said early morning flights will be impacted and passengers flying on Tuesday are encouraged to contact their airline about the status of their flight.
Updates will be posted on Townsville Airport’s social media channels throughout the day.
UPDATE 5.15PM: AN emergency alert has been issued for Palm Island as the community prepares for Tropical Cyclone Kimi.
The cyclone is expected to pass near Palm Island within the next 24 hours.
Residents should prepare now for destructive winds and heavy rain tonight and on Tuesday.
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said some residents in the Northern Beaches may also get the alert.
“This is not coming from out LDMG,” she warned.
UPDATE, 4.15PM: The Townsville Local Disaster Management Group has officially moved to ‘Stand Up’ as Tropical Cyclone Kimi tracks towards the coast.
The Bureau of Meteorology is currently forecasting the TV Kimi will stay off the coast north of Townsville, however there is still uncertainty about the movements of the system.
TLDMG chairwoman Mayor Jenny Hill said the group had moved to ‘Stand Up’ to ensure that if conditions changed, the city was best-placed to respond.
“The TLDMG is monitoring TC Kimi closely as we all know how unpredictable and how rapidly these weather events can change,” Cr Hill said.
“Residents should be finalising their cyclone preparations, including securing loose items in yards, ensuring their cyclone kit is fully stocked with food and water for three days and going over emergency plans with family.
“We’re encouraging residents to be prepared and to stay alert, check in on your neighbours and keep updated on the Disaster Dashboard.”
UPDATE 2pm: Tropical Cyclone Kimi has been upgraded to a category 2 system, but the Bureau of Meteorology are still unsure when or if it will make landfall.
BOM issued the latest cyclone warning at 2pm, stating the cyclone had intensified and was moving in a southeast direction.
It stated the cyclone was likely to keep tracking south tonight, but might slow or stall off the coast between Hinchinbrook Island and Townsville.
It also stated it might weaken on Tuesday.
Despite this, BOM also said “considerable uncertainty remains” with the future movement of the system, and the cyclone could cross the coast between Hinchinbrook Island and Townsville tonight or Tuesday.
Kimi intensifies to category 2 as it moves south. Cyclone Watch declared to Bowen. #CycloneKimi https://t.co/rVLE6inkt8 pic.twitter.com/cTsdWDDyKh
— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) January 18, 2021
People between Innisfail and Ayr, including Lucinda, Palm Island and Townsville should immediately commence or continue preparations, especially securing boats and property.
People between Ayr and Bowen should consider what action they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases.
UPDATE, 1pm: Magnetic Island Ferries have cancelled its services to and from the island as Tropical Cyclone Kimi moves further south.
The ferry service made the announcement on social media Monday afternoon, saying all services will be cancelled on Tuesday.
It advised any passengers needing to travel to or from the island to do it today.
All impacted customers will be contacted directly.
UPDATE, 12PM: Townsville residents have been urged to make their final preparations for Tropical Cyclone Kimi, which is expected to reach Category 2 north of Townsville today.
Mayor Jenny Hill said while the Bureau of Meteorology was forecast to track north of Townsville, residents needed to have their disaster preparations in place.
“At the moment, the Bureau of Meteorology’s tracking places Tropical Cyclone Kimi making landfall between Innisfail and Lucinda, but there is still considerable uncertainty and Townsville is expected to experience rainfall and strong winds,” Cr Hill said.
“While this rain is typical for our wet season, we’re still urging residents to be prepared and have their cyclone kit ready.
“This includes having freshwater and food available for up to three days and having spare batteries available. Residents should also secure loose objects in their yard to prevent them becoming projectile.”
Townsville City Council staff have prepared sandbagging locations across the city, with details available on the Townsville Disaster Dashboard.
Sand and sand bags are currently available at the following locations:
Bluewater – 14 Forestry Road, adjacent to the Bluewater Community Centre
Mt Low – Corner of Mt Low Parkway and Bruce Highway
Rasmussen – 43 Allambie Lane, carpark area for the Upper Ross PCYC
Garbutt – 113 Dalrymple Service Road, out the front of the Townsville City Council depot
Hermit Park – corner of Brodie and Boundary Streets, behind Officeworks
Members of the public are reminded to bring their own shovels to full the sandbags.
UPDATE, 11am: Tropical Cyclone Kimi is predicted to track even further south, making landfall over Hinchinbrook Island, between Cardwell and Lucinda.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued its latest cyclone tracking map at 11am, stating the projected category 2 cyclone would cross the coast about 10am on Tuesday morning.
The cyclone is currently sitting 250km north of Townsville, with sustained winds near the centre at 85km/h and wind gusts of 120km/h.
UPDATE. 10am: Townsville could be lashed with more than 100mm of rain and thunderstorms as a tropical cyclone tracks further south.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe storm warning about 9.30am on Monday, saying heavy falls and destructive winds were possible in the Townsville region.
On Tuesday, BOM predicts up to 120mm of rain could fall, with wind gusts exceeding 90km/h in the city.
Severe Weather Update: Tropical #CycloneKimi impacting north east #QLD from today. Video current at 8:00 am AEST Mon 18 Jan 2021.
— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) January 17, 2021
For the latest forecasts & warnings, go to https://t.co/TtGVTtYkv8 or the #BOMWeather app and follow advice of emergency services. @QldFES pic.twitter.com/ioQy39Yqz2
UPDATE, 8am: NORTH Queensland regions have now been included in the warning zone for Tropical Cyclone Kimi.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued its latest update on Tropical Cyclone Kimi at 8am, extending the warning zone for the cyclone from Port Douglas to Ayr.
Tropical Cyclone Kimi continues to track south. It is forecast to reach category 2 strength later this evening and may cross the coast late today or early Tuesday between Innisfail & Lucinda, although there is still considerable uncertainty.#CycloneKimi https://t.co/f9LiH9nlry pic.twitter.com/KVtKsrDHRg
— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) January 17, 2021
All of the watch zones have been cancelled, and have been included in the large warning zone.
Tropical Cyclone Kimi is sitting at 295km north of Townsville.
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UPDATE, 6am: TOWNSVILLE has been put on cyclone watch this morning as a tropical cyclone moves closer to the Queensland coast.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) this morning extended the watch zone for Tropical Cyclone Kimi from Lucinda to Ayr, including Townsville.
BOM is advising residents in the watch area to consider what actions thy made need to take if the cyclone threat increases.
The warning zone extends for Port Douglas to Lucinda, and inland to Mareeba, and including Cairns, Cardwell and Atherton.
The category one cyclone is sitting 330km north of Townsville, moving south at 7km/h.
Tropical cyclone Kimi moved slowly south through most of Sunday, but is expected to turn a little more to the south-southwest during today.
The system is most likely to approach, and may cross, the coast late today or early Tuesday between about Innisfail and Lucinda, however there remains considerable uncertainty with the crossing time and location.
The system may intensify further during today and is likely to be at least at least a category 2 system as it approaches the coast.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Destructive winds with gusts to 150 km/h may develop about coastal and island areas between Innisfail and Lucinda on Monday evening or early Tuesday morning as the core of the cyclone approaches.
Gales with gusts to 120km/h may develop about coastal and island areas between Port Douglas and Innisfail during Monday morning, then extend inland to Mareeba and Atherton, and further south to Lucinda, later on Monday. Gales may also extend southward to Townsville and Ayr early Tuesday depending on the movement of the cyclone.
Heavy rainfall with the potential to produce flash flooding and major river flooding expected to affect coastal and adjacent inland areas between Cairns and Townsville during Monday and Tuesday. A Flood Watch is current for this area; refer to that product for more detail.
Abnormally high tides are likely on Monday as the cyclone approaches the coast. A storm tide is possible between Yarrabah and Cardwell, where 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.
WHAT TO DO
People between Port Douglas and Lucinda should immediately commence or continue preparations, especially securing boats and property.
People between Lucinda and Ayr, including Townsville should consider what action they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases.
– For cyclone preparedness and safety advice, visit Queensland’s Disaster Management Services website (www.disaster.qld.gov.au)
– 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).
– 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).
The next advice will be issued by 8am Monday. January 18.
Originally published as Ex-Tropical Cyclone Kimi stays off coast and weakens
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