Hold onto your hats, folks—north Queensland is getting a serious soaking! Ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji has slammed into the coast, bringing torrential rain and destructive winds that are turning everyday life upside down. But here’s where it gets even more intense: while the storm has been downgraded to a tropical low, its impact is far from over. The Bureau of Meteorology warns that heavy rainfall and potential flash flooding are still major concerns, especially between Ayr and Mackay. And this is the part most people miss—even though the storm is weakening as it moves inland, communities are already grappling with power outages, wind damage, and record-breaking rainfall.
Controversial question: Are we doing enough to prepare for these increasingly frequent extreme weather events? Let’s dive into the details.
Our live coverage kicks off with the latest updates from the ground. ABC Emergency is your go-to source for regular warnings, broadcasting on ABC Radio across affected areas. Here’s how to tune in:
- Airlie Beach and Whitsundays: 89.9 FM
- Mackay and surrounds: 101.1 FM
- Moranbah and surrounds: 104.9 FM
- Townsville, Burdekin, and Hinchinbrook Coast: 630 AM
For a detailed map of all warnings, click here: https://www.abc.net.au/emergency/incidentsearch/qld#5.01/-19.57/146.50.
In Mackay, residents like Dave from Cameron’s Pocket are feeling the full force of the storm. He’s lost power six times but quips, “It’s stood up seven times, so it’s all good.” Dave’s rain gauge tells the story—150mm of gentle rain overnight, followed by another 175mm since. “The creek has gone absolutely ballistic,” he says, noting it’s surpassed even Cyclone Debbie’s levels. “It’s a new record for us, and we’ve been here 25 years.”
The numbers don’t lie. According to the BOM, some of the heaviest rainfall recorded this morning includes:
- 146mm at Mattie O'Neil bridge (inland from Mackay, between 7am and 9am)
- 73mm at Netherdale (inland from Mackay, in 1 hour to 8:40 am)
- 87mm at Stafford Crossing (in 1 hour to 7:18 am)
- 138mm at Clarke Range (in the 3 hours to 8:30 am)
- 112mm at Eungella (in the 3 hours to 8:39 am)
- 167mm at Peter Faust Dam (in the 6 hours to 7:21 am)
Wind gusts of up to 50 km/h have caused damage to warning signs along the coastline, and a major flood warning has been issued for the Pioneer River at Mirani. By 11am, over 6,000 homes across the Mackay region had lost power, including areas like Slade Point, Richmond, Eungella, and Devereux Creek.
But here’s the kicker: Is this the new normal? As Ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji continues to dump heavy rain between Ayr and St Lawrence, it’s a stark reminder of the challenges posed by climate change. Are our infrastructure and emergency systems equipped to handle these increasingly intense storms? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—we want to hear from you!
Stay tuned to our live coverage for the latest updates from our reporters on the ground across north Queensland. Stay safe, stay informed, and let’s weather this storm together.
