Severe Weather Warning for DAMAGING WINDS and HEAVY RAINFALL: 10:31am - 15 December 2018.

Severe Weather Warning
for DAMAGING WINDS and HEAVY RAINFALL

For people in North Tropical Coast and Tablelands and parts of Peninsula, Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders and Herbert and Lower Burdekin Forecast Districts.

Issued at 10:31 am Saturday, 15 December 2018.

Tropical Cyclone Owen will move east over the northern interior today with heavy rainfall and damaging winds developing.

Weather Situation:
Tropical Cyclone Owen crossed the southeast Gulf of Carpentaria coast between Kowanyama and Gilbert River Mouth in the early hours of today. Tropical Cyclone Owen is expected to continue moving east southeastwards over the northern interior of Queensland through today while gradually transitioning to a tropical low.

Heavy rainfall, which may lead to flash flooding, is expected to develop over the warning area through this afternoon and evening. 6 hour totals of between 100-200mm are possible, particularly with thunderstorms. The heavy rainfall may persist into Sunday, particularly about the coast, as the system moves further east or southeast towards the Coral Sea.

Damaging winds, with peak gusts in excess of 90km/h, are likely near the system as it moves east over the northern interior during today, and may extend to the North Tropical Coast and Tablelands district through this afternoon and evening.

Damaging wind gusts will also be possible about the northern beaches of Cairns during Sunday morning.

There is some possibility the low will move offshore of the east tropical coast during Sunday. At this point the system is deemed to have a low to moderate chance of reforming off the east tropical coast during Sunday or Monday. The situation will be monitored carefully and tropical cyclone advisories issued if the risk increases.

Note a tropical cyclone warning remains current for the northern Gulf Country and southern parts of the Peninsula district.

Locations which may be affected include Chillagoe, Port Douglas, Cairns, Mareeba, Innisfail, Tully, Cardwell, Ingham, Palm Island and Townsville.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advises that people should: 
    * Move your car under cover or away from trees. 
    * Secure loose outdoor items. 
    * Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees. 
    * Beware of fallen trees and powerlines. 
    * Never drive, walk or ride through flood waters. If it's flooded, forget it. 
    * Keep clear of creeks and storm drains. 
    * For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500. 

The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 5:00 pm AEST Saturday.

Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's website atwww.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 219. The Bureau and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.