Mackay, Isaac, Whitsunday Cyclone Kirrily emergency information

Mackay’s top police officer is urging families to keep children safe as TC Kirrily cancels flights and brings threats of intense rainfall and flooding. FREE TO READ.

April Allen, from Sydney, with her daughter-in-law Tiffany Allen, of Andergrove, checking out Tropical Cyclone Kirrily's impact at Mackay Harbour on January 25, 2024. Picture: Heidi Petith

Mackay’s top police officer is urging families to keep their children safe around water as Tropical Cyclone Kirrily — now a Category 3 event — brings threats of intense rainfall and flooding.

Superintendent Graeme Paine said it was “imperative” to supervise children, including teenagers, and talk to them about the dangers of floodwaters.

His advice comes as Mackay Regional Council Mayor, and Local Disaster Management Group chairman, Greg Williamson announced the group would officially activate at 2pm Thursday with staff on from 6pm to provide assistance overnight.

At 3pm the Bureau of Meteorology announced TC Kirrily was at Category 3 and estimated to be 320km north west of Mackay with wind gusts up to 165km/h.

The system - which could affect areas from Innisfail in the north to Sarina in the south including Townsville, Mackay, Bowen, the Whitsunday Islands, and extending inland to Charters Towers - is expected to cross the coast near Townsville Thursday night.

The Bureau recorded winds of up to 120km/h in the Whitsundays on Thursday morning with residents in the Mackay region warned to expect flooding from a storm tide and large waves as TC Kirrily approaches and crosses the coast.

Superintendent Paine said now was “not the time to undertake risky behaviour”, adding no one was prepared for “freak” waves that could occur “completely out of the blue” irregardless of their experience.

The extreme weather is also playing havoc on flights with multiple arrivals and departures cancelled, both in Mackay and the Whitsundays.

Barbara Massey with her two pups, Malcom the German Shepherd and Narla the Border Collie, trying to get in some outdoor time at Mackay Harbour's North Wall on January 25, 2024, before the winds got too strong from Tropical Cyclone Kirrily. Picture: Heidi Petith

Mackay Airport head of operations Adrian Miles advised travellers to directly contact their airline if they required further information.

Mr Miles said the airport was open and they would continue to monitor the cyclone and regularly meet with stakeholders and authorities.

Further updates will be posted on the airport’s Facebook page and website.

Optus sent out a text to its customers warning the cyclone “may impact” network connectivity in “affected areas”.

Customers can find additional support and tips on staying connected at optus.com.au/notices/cyclone-kirrily.

Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday councils had activated their local disaster management groups earlier in the week and were advising residents to stay up to date with their local emergency dashboards.

Tiffany Tinio, 3, and big brother Matthew Tinio, 6, were at Caneland Central with their dad Jake Tinio. The Melbourne family had not long arrived in Mackay for an 18th birthday party. Mr Tinio said he had never experienced winds like these from Tropical Cyclone Kirrily. January 25, 2024. Heidi Petith

Mackay residents can head to disaster.mackay.qld.gov.au, Isaac residents can go to dashboard.isaac.qld.gov.au, and Whitsunday residents can visit disaster.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au

The dashboards list the latest road closures and conditions, weather warnings, power outages, river heights, flood cameras, cyclone tracking maps, emergency contacts including the State Emergency Service and Queensland Fire and Rescue Service numbers, airport closures, and the locations of active evacuation centres.

Isaac residents can identify their closest place of refuge on page 44 of the council’s Local Disaster Management Plan. 

They can also register to receive SMS and email alerts via the Emergency Dashboard.

Superintendent Paine said if authorities felt TC Kirrily posed a “significant risk” to Mackay region residents, they could seek a pre-emptive declaration that would give them powers to coordinate a directed evacuation.

Residents across the wider Mackay Isaac Whitsunday region braced for TC Kirrily with regular traffic at sandbag stockpiles, supermarkets selling out of water, retail outlets running out of portable radios and Bunnings selling out of petrol jerry cans.

The Mackay Regional Council stated it was important for residents, especially in low-lying areas, to know their “evacuation zone”. These are detailed in the council’s Emergency Action Guide.

For both Mackay and Whitsunday region residents, any active shelters and evacuation centres will be listed on their respective council’s online Emergency Dashboard.

For emergency assistance, phone the SES on 132 500 for help with storm damage, rising flood water, fallen trees on buildings or roof damage.

Warnings are also available through TV and radio broadcasts, the Bureau’s website at www.bom.gov.au or by phoning 1300 659 210.

For the latest school closures, visit closures.qld.edu.au

Originally published as Mackay, Isaac, Whitsunday Cyclone Kirrily emergency information