Qld: More flood warnings for north as cyclone moves closer
06 Mar 2009 5:48 PM
BRISBANE, March 6 AAP - Ingham, North Queensland's worst flood-affected town, can expect more rain and flash flooding within the next 24 hours as a tropical cyclone moves south.
The weather bureau has warned category two Cyclone Hamish, about 275km northeast of Cairns, could be upgraded to category three late on Friday.
The cyclone is producing heavy rain between Cooktown and Innisfail and is predicted to hit the coast between Bowen and St Lawrence in the Mackay region on Monday.
Bureau of Meteorology forecaster David Grant said Hamish was moving in a southeasterly direction and was expected to produce heavy rain and possible flash flooding for Ingham.
Nearly 3,000 houses in Ingham received major flood damage and hundreds were evacuated last month when the town's Herbert River peaked twice, at 12.2 metres, within a week.
Hamish is Queensland's third cyclone this wet season and comes several weeks after the cyclones and monsoonal troughs flooded two-thirds of the state.
Queensland Health and emergency services are warning residents in central and north Queensland to take precautions.
"Residents should stock up on medication, especially prescription medicines that you may need over the next few days," Queensland Health's Glynda Summers said.
