Rainfall linked to the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Maila has started to affect the coasts of North Queensland, prompting flood watches for various catchment areas in the Far North.
Warnings about strong winds along the Townsville coast are anticipated to be lifted today, as North Queensland braces for rainfall amounts reaching up to 200mm due to the tail end of the ex-cyclone. According to Shane Kennedy, a forecaster from the Bureau of Meteorology, significant precipitation is expected to persist in regions north of the Whitsundays until Thursday.
“We are likely to see flash flooding, particularly along the north tropical coast, and there may also be isolated minor riverine flooding in that same area,” Mr. Kennedy remarked. He added that moderate rainfall is predicted for central Queensland, impacting areas north of Longreach and extending southward to Windorah and possibly Charleville by the end of the week.
The Bureau has issued minor flood watches for several already saturated catchments in the far north that were previously affected by Cyclone Narelle last month. This includes the Daintree, Bloomfield, Mossman, Mulgrave, Russell, Tully, Murray, and Herbert rivers, with the watch alerting residents to the potential for localized flash flooding that could impede transportation.
Mr. Kennedy noted that while the Barron and Johnston Rivers in Far North Queensland have a low risk of localized flooding, the overall situation is not expected to be severe, describing it more as a nuisance than a major concern.
Windy conditions are expected to subside, with Mr. Kennedy indicating that a strong wind warning for the northern coast should be lifted by Wednesday afternoon. “There may be a brief period of strong winds offshore near Townsville, but that warning will likely be canceled by mid-morning,” he stated.
The remnants of Maila brought strong winds to Cairns on Tuesday, where local resident Henry Ellison assessed the damage from Cyclone Narelle while walking his dog, Chico, along the northern beaches. “It would be frightening to live right on the beachfront,” he commented.
The effects of ex-Tropical Cyclone Maila coincide with king tides, with the highest tides in Cairns projected for Friday and Saturday. A spokesperson for the Cairns Regional Council mentioned that they are seeking state and federal disaster funding to repair beach footpaths affected by Narelle and are exploring longer-term solutions to strengthen local infrastructure.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) has dispatched scientists from Cairns on a week-long mission to assess the impact of Cyclone Narelle on the northern section of the Great Barrier Reef. Ranger Aurora Spicer expressed the emotional toll of witnessing the damage, stating, “It’s disheartening to see the destruction of something you care about so deeply. Although it will eventually recover, the process will take years.”
Roger Beeden, the chief scientist at GBRMPA, highlighted that large waves pose an additional threat to the already damaged sections of the reef. “Our primary focus should be to protect the reef as much as we can, reduce any manageable pressures, and globally address climate change, which is contributing to the increasing frequency of such events,” he emphasized.
