Heavy rainfall, damaging winds, high tides in the path of ex-TC Oswald

23/01/2013

Over the next few days ex-tropical cyclone Oswald will continue to bring heavy rain, flooding, damaging winds and high tides to parts of north and central Queensland (including the North Tropical Coast and Tablelands, Herbert and Lower Burdekin, Central Coast and Whitsundays, Capricornia and remaining parts of the Peninsula districts).

Bureau of Meteorology Queensland Regional Director, Rob Webb, said that as the remnants of Oswald tracks slowly south-west near Cairns it is pulling the monsoon trough with it, bringing heavy rain and flooding across a large area of northern and central Queensland.

“This large, slow-moving system looks likely to produce a significant amount of rainfall, causing widespread flooding across a number of catchments. There are also abnormally high tides and damaging winds associated with this system,” Mr Webb said.

“We are urging coastal communities to keep a close eye on the latest weather forecasts and warnings on the BoM website, and through media outlets.

“Given its current overland track, at this point the low is not expected to redevelop into a tropical cyclone, but we will be monitoring it closely, particularly if it moves over the ocean,” he said.

Emergency Management Queensland (EMQ) Assistant Director-General, Bruce Grady, urged residents to put safety first during the heavy and prolonged rainfall.

“While State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers are on-hand to assist those in need, their support is primarily targeted toward helping the most vulnerable first, so it is vital you help them by preparing yourself,” Mr Grady said.

“Residents in flood-prone areas should also ensure they have the essential supplies readily available, such as a well-stocked emergency kit and food supplies, should they become isolated.”

Mr Grady also urged motorists to take road closures seriously and to not risk driving through flooded roadways.

“It’s important for people to remember: ‘If it’s flooded, forget it’. You should never enter floodwaters and always discourage others from doing so,” he said.

If residents require storm and flood assistance they should call the State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500 and in a life-threatening emergency always call Triple Zero (000).

For more information on disaster preperation go to Get Ready.