Meteorologists are warning weather conditions in Queensland could become severe, with rainfall from ex-cyclone Kirrily potentially joining forces with thunderstorms in the south-east.
Residents in south-east Queensland have suffered through a severe heatwave over the past few days, but are now in the grips of severe thunderstorms.
Severe thunderstorms have developed over the south-east of the state and are expected to continue into mid-next week.
Temperatures reached the high 20s and early 30s over the past few days, with the rest of the week expected to reach into the early 30s in the south-east.
BoM senior meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said there was a heavy rain risk through central and south-eastern parts of the state as severe thunderstorms and ex-tropical cyclone Kirrily joined forces.
“It certainly does carry a significant risk, even now that it’s no longer a tropical cyclone,” she said.
“We observed them overnight in the vicinity of that ex-tropical cyclone, and with those storms across the south-east, and it’s possible we could see further high rain rates over the coming days.
“Those high rain rates are significant because that’s what causes the flash flooding. Our waterways and infrastructure can’t deal with so much rain so quickly. So that risk of flooding is real and is ongoing over the next few days.”
Boats wash ashore as cyclone clean-up begins
Meanwhile, northern parts of Queensland are in recovery mode after ex-tropical cyclone Kirrily lashed the coast.
Kirrily is currently moving through Middleton, north of Longreach, generating heavy rainfall across western and north-western parts of Queensland and is expected to drift south over the coming days.
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said the cyclone thankfully caused minimal damage.
“The big thing for us is to work to ensure our electricity providers can get the power on,” she said.
“As quickly as possible, because it’s pretty hot and humid here at the moment.”
Electricity providers have managed to restore power to some homes and should have 90 per cent of residents back online by the end of today.
