MARCIA 9AM CYCLONE MAP
MARCIA 9AM CYCLONE MAP
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 28
Issued at 9:01 am EST on Friday 20 February 2015
Headline:Marcia crossing the coast near Shoalwater Bay. Very destructive winds expected in Yeppoon later this morning.
Areas Affected: Warning Zone Sarina to Double
Island Point, extending inland to Moura, Biloela, Monto, Taroom, Mundubbera,
and Murgon
Watch ZoneNone
Cancelled ZoneNone.
Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Marcia at 9:00 am EST:
Intensity: Category
5, sustained winds near the centre of 205 kilometres per hour with wind gusts
to 285 kilometres per hour.
Location: within 9 kilometres of 22.5 degrees South 150.5 degrees East, estimated to be 75
kilometres north northwest of Yeppoon and 170 kilometres north northwest of
Gladstone.
Movement: south at 20
kilometres per hour.
Severe Tropical
Cyclone Marcia, category 5, is currently moving onto the Capricorn coast near
Shoalwater Bay, north of Yeppoon. It is expected to continue moving in a
southerly direction over land close to the coast during today
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 285 km/h, is crossing the
Capricorn coast near Shoalwater Bay, north of Yeppoon.
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, Taroom 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).
