Ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji Strikes North Queensland: A Storm to Remember
The region of north Queensland is currently facing the aftermath of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji, which has made landfall, bringing with it heavy downpours and powerful winds.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), this weather system was initially classified as a category one cyclone but has since been downgraded to a tropical low. As it progresses further inland, it is expected to weaken even more.
Stay Informed with Real-Time Updates!
To keep up with the most recent emergency warnings, be sure to tune in to ABC Emergency, which provides continuous updates on ABC Radio. For those needing additional details, including an interactive map featuring all current warnings, you can click the following link: Emergency Warnings Map. Here are the local frequencies you can listen to:
* Airlie Beach and Whitsundays: 89.9 FM
* Mackay and its surroundings: 101.1 FM
* Moranbah and nearby areas: 104.9 FM
* Townsville, Burdekin, and Hinchinbrook Coast: 630 AM
Heavy Rainfall Reported Near Mackay
In a recent conversation with ABC Radio, a resident named Dave from Cameron's Pocket, located inland from Mackay, shared his experience of the storm. He reported experiencing six power outages, stating, "It’s gone out six times, but thankfully it’s come back each time." Dave noted that winds intensified around 10:30 AM on Sunday, following 150mm of gentle rain recorded in the previous 24 hours, with another 175mm measured since then.
He exclaimed, "The creek has gone absolutely ballistic... We've surpassed our previous record levels from Cyclone Debbie. This is a new record for us, and we've lived here for 25 years."
Record Rainfalls Documented This Morning
As per the BOM’s latest updates, some of the most significant rainfall totals recorded this morning include:
* 146mm at Mattie O'Neil bridge, located inland from Mackay, between 7 AM and 9 AM
* 73mm at Netherdale, inland from Mackay, within just one hour until 8:40 AM
* 87mm at Stafford Crossing in the hour leading up to 7:18 AM
* 138mm at Clarke Range over three hours until 8:30 AM
* 112mm at Eungella in three hours until 8:39 AM
* 167mm at Peter Faust Dam over six hours until 7:21 AM
Wind Damage and Power Outages Across Mackay
On Sunday morning, wind gusts reaching up to 50 kilometers per hour were reported in Mackay, south of where Ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji made landfall. Our correspondent Liam O'Connell, reporting from Mackay, highlighted damage caused by the winds to warning signs along the coastline.
A major flood warning has been issued for the Pioneer River at Mirani, with moderate flooding anticipated later today in this community, situated 36 kilometers west of Mackay. As of 11 AM, more than 6,000 homes across the Mackay region, including those in Slade Point, Richmond in the city’s north, and areas like Eungella and Devereux Creek in the Pioneer Valley, were experiencing power outages.
Cyclone Koji Downgraded to a Tropical Low
The Bureau of Meteorology has confirmed that the category one system, which crossed the coast between Ayr and Bowen earlier this morning, has now weakened to below tropical cyclone status. Despite this downgrade, heavy rainfall persists between Ayr and Mackay. The BOM anticipates that Ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji will continue to weaken as it moves inland, although flash flooding remains a concern, particularly in the area between Ayr and St Lawrence.
Welcome to our live coverage, where we will continue to provide updates from our reporters stationed throughout north Queensland.
