The cyclone was expected to bring destructive wind gusts of up to 130km/h at coastal locations from south of Townsville to Proserpine. Towns north of the cyclone are likely to see “little if any action or heavy rainfall”, bureau meteorologist Dean Narramore said. “Widespread heavy rainfall from around Mackay all the way up to around the Ayr region and everywhere in between has seen 50mm to 150mm, with isolated falls above 200mm,” he told the ABC. On Saturday evening, Queensland police issued a series of emergency alerts for the Townsville, Burdekin and Whitsunday regions, urging residents to prepare. Flood warning issued for BowenThe Whitsunday local disaster management group has issued a flood watch and act warning, saying the Don River is expected to peak overnight.

Source: New Zealand Herald January 10, 2026 22:11 UTC