TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 30
Issued at 11:00 am EST on Friday 20 February 2015
Headline:
Marcia downgraded to category 4 but very destructive winds still expected near the centre.
Areas Affected:
Warning zone: Sarina to Double Island Point, extending inland to Duaringa, Moura, Biloela, Monto, and Mundubbera
Watch zone: None
Cancelled zone: Inland areas including Blackwater, Taroom, and Murgon.
Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Marcia at 11:00 am EST:
Intensity: Category 4, sustained winds near the centre of 175 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 250 kilometres per hour.
Location: within 9 kilometres of 22.9 degrees South 150.5 degrees East, estimated to be 40 kilometres northwest of Yeppoon and 135 kilometres northwest of Gladstone.
Movement: south at 20 kilometres per hour.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Marcia has weakened slightly to a category 4 system, and is continuing to move south towards Yeppoon and Rockhampton. It is expected to continue a southerly movement through today while slowly weakening.
A separate Severe Weather Warning is current south of Double Island Point and inland to the southern Burnett and eastern parts of the Darling Downs and Granite Belt.
Hazards:
The VERY DESTRUCTIVE CORE of Severe Tropical Cyclone Marcia, with gusts to 250 km/h, has crossed the Capricorn coast near Shoalwater Bay, and is moving south towards Yeppoon and Rockhampton.
VERY DESTRUCTIVE WINDS with wind gusts above 200 km/h are expected to impact coastal and island communities between Shoalwater Bay and Rockhampton this morning and afternoon, including the Yeppoon area.
DESTRUCTIVE WINDS with wind gusts to 160 km/h are expected to extend further south and inland across the Capricornia and Wide Bay and Burnett districts later today, including Gladstone.
GALES are occurring about some coastal and island communities between Sarina and Double Island Point, and are expected to extend inland to areas including Moura, Biloela, Monto and Mundubbera during today.
Abnormally high tides will be experienced this morning with water levels expected to rise substantially above the highest tide of the year on the high tide. Note also that abnormally high tides are also likely during this evening’s high tide in parts of the warning area even though the cyclone is likely to be over land and weaker by then.
Coastal residents between St Lawrence and Double Island Point are specifically warned of the dangerous storm tide as the cyclone crosses the coast, and in the following high tide well after landfall during this evening. 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 also expected.
Heavy rainfall is already occurring about coastal and island communities between St Lawrence and Double Island Point, and is expected to extend further inland across the Capricornia, Wide Bay and Burnett, and the eastern parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields districts later today. A Flood Watch is current for the area.
Recommended Action:
People between Sarina 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).
Next Advice:
The next advice will be issued by 12:00 pm EST Friday 20 February.
This warning is also available through TV and Radio Broadcasts; the Bureau’s website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 212. The Bureau and the State Emergency Service would appreciate this warning being broadcast regularly.
A map showing the track of the cyclone is available at: