Queensland truckies are bracing themselves for possible “life-threatening flooding” as a tropical low in the central Coral Sea is expected to become a cyclone tonight.
The Bureau of Meteorology has warned that the weather system is likely to cross the Queensland coast on Thursday night between Cardwell and Bowen, as a category 2 storm.
In the longer term, the storm is likely to track further inland as a tropical low, bringing heavy to intense rain to parts of central and western Queensland.
The heavy rain may lead to flash flooding, which is likely to develop between Innisfail and St Lawrence from early Thursday, before spreading inland later in the day and continuing on Friday.
More “dangerous and life-threatening” flooding is possible near and south of the storm, most likely with the coastal crossing during Thursday.
As the storm approaches and crosses the coast, a storm tide is expected between Townsville and Mackay, and large waves may produce some minor flooding along the foreshore.
Strong gales with damaging gusts are expected to develop around the Whitsunday Islands overnight tonight, spreading to the mainland between Ayr and Sarina tomorrow morning.
The gales will extend northward to coastal and island communities, between Ayr and Cardwell, including Townville, on Thursday.
Truckies can keep track of road closures by checking the QLD Traffic website.
Queensland is still recovering from Cyclone Jasper, which caused severe damage to local communities and roads late last year.