QLD Tropical Cyclone Warning: Bowen to Double Is Point, inland to Blackwater, Biloela, Monto, Taroom,Murgon

QLD Tropical Cyclone Warning: Bowen to Double Is Point, inland to Blackwater, Biloela, Monto, Taroom,Murgon Source: Bureau of Meteorology TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 14 Issued at 6:57 pm EST on Thursday 19 February 2015 Headline: Severe tropical cyclone Marcia continues to intensify, category 5 now forecast for landfall. Areas Affected: Warning Zone Bowen to Double Island Point, extending inland to Blackwater, Moura, Biloela, Monto, Taroom, Mundubbera, and Murgon Watch Zone None Cancelled Zone None. Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Marcia at 7:00 pm EST: Intensity: Category 4, sustained winds near the centre of 185 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 260 kilometres per hour. Location: within 9 kilometres of 20.6 degrees South 150.5 degrees East, estimated to be 150 kilometres east northeast of Mackay and 285 kilometres north of Yeppoon. Movement: west southwest at 16 kilometres per hour. Severe tropical cyclone Marcia, a category 4 cyclone, continues to intensify as it moves west-southwest towards the Queensland coast. The cyclone's movement has slowed in recent hours, and it is expected to turn more southwest during the next few hours and make landfall between Mackay and Gladstone early on Friday. It is now forecast to reach category 5 by landfall. A separate Severe Weather Warning is current for areas south of Double Island Point and west to the Great Dividing Range. Hazards: The VERY DESTRUCTIVE CORE of severe tropical cyclone Marcia, with gusts to 295 km/h, is expected to cross the coast between Mackay and Gladstone on Friday morning. DESTRUCTIVE WINDS are expected to develop about coastal and island communities between Mackay and Burnett Heads tonight. GALES are now occurring about coastal and island communities between Mackay and Double Island Point, and are expected to extend north to Bowen later this evening and inland to areas including Blackwater, Moura, Biloela, Monto, Mundubbera, Taroom, and Murgon overnight and Friday. Abnormally high tides will be experienced today and Friday with water levels expected to rise above the highest tide of the year on the high tide. Coastal residents between Mackay and Double Island Point are specifically warned of the dangerous storm tide as the cyclone crosses the coast. The sea is likely to rise steadily up to a level well above the normal tide, with damaging waves and flooding of some low-lying areas close to the shoreline. People living in areas likely to be affected by this flooding should take measures to protect their property as much as possible and be prepared to follow instructions regarding evacuation of the area if advised to do so by the authorities. Dangerous surf is expected about exposed beaches south of Sandy Cape. Thunderstorms are expected to develop near the coast between St Lawrence and Hervey Bay ahead of tropical cyclone Marcia crossing the coast. These thunderstorms may produce localised areas of destructive wind gusts in excess of 125 km/hr about coastal and island communities. Heavy rainfall will develop about coastal and island communities between Mackay and Double Island Point tonight, particularly over areas to the south of the system. A Flood Watch is current for the area. Recommended Action: People between Bowen and Double Island Point should complete preparations quickly and be prepared to shelter in a safe place. - Boats and outside property should be secured [using available daylight hours/before nightfall]. - For cyclone preparedness and safety advice, visit Queensland's Disaster Management Services website (www.disaster.qld.gov.au) - For emergency assistance call the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service (QFES) on 132 500 (for assistance with storm damage, rising flood water, fallen trees on buildings or roof damage). Current Tropical Cyclones EWN Radar & Alerts Map | QLD Facebook Alerts | Twitter Alerts

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