18th Jan 2021 10:00 AM
UPDATE: 8.30AM: Tropical cyclone Kimi could develop into a Category 2 and hit between Innisfail and Ingham, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says, as Queensland s Disaster Management Committee prepares to meet. Preparations are underway across the state, with warnings of destructive winds of more than 150km/h heavy rain and flash flooding expected across the region from Lucinda to Ayr. The state s southeast, however, is also on alert for severe thunderstorms later today, which could bring hail to the region. In light of the rain that s expected to occur, Queenslanders have been urged to remember - if it s flooded forget it.
The Bureau said the slow southward movement had delayed the expected crossing time. The system may intensify further over the next 24 hours and is likely to reach at least category 2 before landfall, the Bureau said. At 1am the system was 75km east southeast of Cooktown and 140km northeast of Cairns, moving south southeast at 7km/h. Â Cairns Central will be closed on Monday, January 18. Picture: Peter Carruthers Cairns Central shopping centre has already announced it will be closed on Monday as the storm approaches. Cairns Central centre management will continue to monitor the situation closely, and will act according to the advice of emergency services, the shopping centre advised on Sunday night.