Media Release - Tropical Cyclone Kimi Warning Issued – Be Prepared

It is recommended that all Hinchinbrook Shire residents take precautions and be prepared to ensure that properties are cleared of all items that can become potential missiles in the event of cyclonic winds.

Where possible, cleaning of vegetation around your home will reduce the potential of damage caused by vegetation debris during an event.

In preparation for the potential impacts of Tropical Cyclone Kimi, Council has waived gate fees associated with the disposal of green waste and household waste for domestic customers at the Warrens Hill and Halifax waste facilities for today, Monday 18 January 2021.

Halifax Transfer Station will be open for business today, Monday 18 January 2021 from 9.00am to 4.30pm. 

The advice from Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) highlights are:

• Tropical cyclone Kimi, category 1, is forecast to intensify and reach category 2 intensity as it approaches, and possibly crosses, the tropical east coast between about Innisfail and Ingham later today or during Tuesday.
• A Tropical Cyclone Warning is current for coastal and adjacent inland areas between Port Douglas and Lucinda. A Watch extends to areas between Lucinda and Ayr.
• Heavy to intense rainfall and potentially dangerous flash flooding will be a risk about the tropical east coast over the next couple of days – a Flood Watch is current for catchments between Cape Flattery and Ingham.
• Damaging to destructive winds with gusts to 150km/h are expected to develop about the tropical east coast during today, depending on the path the system takes.
• Abnormally high tides and large waves should develop about tropical east coast into Tuesday and some minor flooding may occur along the foreshore.

For the full advice from BOM, residents are urged to continue monitoring the BOM website www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings for further weather warnings and updates.

The LDMG will continue to monitor the situation and will issue relevant notices to residents as required.

For information regarding local conditions, please visit the Hinchinbrook Disaster Dashboard or contact the LDMG on
4776 4600.