Qld: Qld activates disaster centre amid cyclone threat
06 Mar 2009 7:10 PM
BRISBANE, March 6 AAP - Queensland's disaster coordination centre has been activated as the state's flood-ravaged north braces for tropical Cyclone Hamish.
The category two cyclone, hovering off the coast northeast of Cairns, is expected to intensify into a category three overnight.
Heavy rain, flash flooding, storm surges and strong winds are expected along the coast as the cyclone travels south towards the Mackay region.
Hamish is expected to cross the coast between Bowen and St Lawrence on Monday, the weather bureau says.
Premier Anna Bligh said the state's disaster coordination centre in Brisbane had been activated.
Local disaster management groups in Cairns, Innisfail, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton and Gladstone are also on cyclone watch.
"The big focus for many of the groups, especially in the north and far north, is the potential for heavy rain along the coast as the system moves south, impacting on major rivers and streams that are well-charged after heavy rains in January and February," Ms Bligh said.
Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said swift-water rescue teams were preparing for a major storm surge.
"The bureau is forecasting the potential for a storm surge of around two metres which, if combined with high tides, has the potential to inundate low lying areas along the coast," Mr Roberts said.
Ingham, north Queensland's worst flood-affected town, can expect more rain and flash flooding within the next 24 hours.
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 earlier 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.
