FNQ Weather Update
Cyclone Dylan makes landfall
Friday, Jan 31, 7.30am
Tropical Cyclone Dylan made landfall near Hideaway Bay, east of Bowen in the state's north, at about 3.30am this morning.
The category 2 cyclone continues to weaken as it moves inland.
Read the latest Bureau of Meteorology Cyclone Advice 
here.
Cairns braces for high tides
Thursday, Jan 30, 9.12am
The cyclone warning may have been cancelled for Cairns, but the city is still facing a storm surge and king tides.
Cairns Regional Council issued an disaster management alert last night, urging residents in the red zone, low-lying coastal areas to prepare for abnormally high tidal inundation today and tomorrow morning.
Chair of the Local Disaster Management Group Cairns Region (LDMG-CR), Councillor Steve Brain, said residents may need to take action to protect their property.
For information on the Storm Tide Evacuation Guide and maps, and information on how to prepare your home, visit CRC's website: http://www.cairns.qld.gov.au
Cairns Regional Council online mapping; http://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/community-information/cyclone-emergency-information/evacuation.
For up-to-the-minute information, follow @CairnsDCC on Twitter or go to www.twitter.com/CairnsDCC and www.facebook.com/cairnsdcc.
For assistance residents should call the State Emergency Service on 132 500.
Meanwhile, as the cyclone continues to track south, Townsville council opened three evacuation centres this morning.
Cyclone Dylan, likely to be a category 1, is predicted to make landfall tomorrow.
Cyclone goes south
Wednesday, Jan 28, 4.40pm
The cyclone brewing off the Queensland coast has moved south of Port Douglas, leading forecasters to cancel the local cyclone warning.
The cyclone warning remains current from Cairns to Mackay. A severe weather warning is still in place from Cooktown to Cairns.
Read the full Tropical Cyclone Advice here.
Four miles of mess
Wednesday, 2.40pm
Port Douglas' Four Mile Beach was almost unrecognisable today, swallowed by high tides from the developing cyclone, the first of the season.
As the tropical low moves steadily towards the coast, combining with a high pressure system to create gale winds, communities from Douglas to Mackay are experiencing the early effects of the predicted severe weather event.
The Bureau of Meteorology advises the cyclone warning remains, with abnormally high tides, heavy rainfall and damaging wind gusts to hit coastal areas between Cooktown and Port Douglas.
Despite the unfavourable conditions, Four Mile still attracted some keen swimmers this afternoon.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advises that people should:
- If near the coastline, stay well away from the water's edge.
- Avoid driving, walking or riding through flood waters.
- Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
- For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500
Read the Bureau of Meteorology's latest Tropical Cyclone Advice here.
See the Bureau's Severe Weather Warning here.
Cyclone warning remains
Wednesday, 11.30am
Port Douglas is still facing heavy rains, flash flooding and gale winds as the tropical low off the coast looks set to develop into Cyclone Dylan on Friday.
The cyclone warning issued this morning is still in force and residents are urged to prepare for extreme weather conditions.
According to the latest BOM alert:
- The tropical low is estimated to be 570 kilometres east northeast of Cairns, moving south southwest at 8 kilometres per hour towards the coast.
- A strong ridge of high pressure ridge through the Coral Sea and the tropical low are combining to generate gales at times along much of the east coast between Port Douglas and Mackay.
- Winds are expected to increase further with damaging wind gusts to 120km/hr developing about the coast from late this afternoon or evening and extending inland during Thursday and Friday.
- Heavy rain, which may lead to flash flooding, is expected to develop about coastal and adjacent inland areas of the North Tropical Coast and Tablelands, from late this afternoon or evening, and should continue into Friday.
- Coastal residents between Port Douglas and Hamilton Island are specifically warned of the dangerous storm tide as the developing tropical low approaches the coast, particularly on the high tide on Thursday and Friday.
- 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.
Read the full Tropical Cyclone Advice here .
Cyclone Warning declared
Wednesday, 8.11am
The Bureau of Meteorology has upgraded the Cyclone Watch, declaring a Cyclone Warning for coastal and island communities from Port Douglas to Mackay.
According to the BOM alert, as the cyclone approaches the coast, a dangerous storm tide is expected between Port Douglas and St Lawrence, mainly on the high tide today, Thursday and Friday.
Large waves may produce minor flooding along the foreshore. 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 help their neighbours.
Read the full Tropical Cyclone Advice here.
BOM declares Cyclone Watch
Tuesday, 4.20pm
The Bureau of Meteorology has declared a Cyclone Watch for a developing tropical low for coastal areas from Port Douglas to Proserpine.
According to the BOM's latest alert:
- At 1:00 pm EST, a Tropical Low was estimated to be 760 kilometres east northeast of Cairns and 790 kilometres northeast of Townsville, moving west southwest at 9 kilometres per hour towards the coast.
- The low may develop into a tropical cyclone during Thursday.
- Gales may develop between Port Douglas and Proserpine during Wednesday afternoon and could persist into Thursday.
- Heavy rain, which may lead to flash flooding, is expected to develop about
coastal and adjacent inland areas of the North Tropical Coast and Tablelands. - As the cyclone approaches the coast, a storm tide is expected between Port Douglas and Proserpine, mainly on the high tide on Wednesday and Thursday. Large waves may produce minor flooding along the foreshore. 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 help their neighbours.
-
Read the full Tropical Cyclone Advice here.
Moderate rainfall over Douglas
Tuesday, 2.32pm
Light to moderate rainfall is increasing over the Douglas region, as North Queensland prepares for severe weather and a possible cyclone over the next 24 to 48 hours.
For more satellite images, visit http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR193.loop.shtml.
Severe weather warning
Tuesday, 11.20am
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a severe weather warning for damaging winds, heavy rainfall and abnormally high tides for people from the Northern Tropical Coast and Tablelands down to the Central Coast and Whitsundays.
The BOM reported a tropical low situated in the northern Coral Sea, approximately 870 kilometres east-northeast of Cairns and moving southwest at around 10 kilometres per hour.
"The tropical low is expected to move in a general westwards direction over the next couple of days and may develop further as it approaches the Queensland east coast," the BOM reported.
"The potential for the system to develop into a tropical cyclone will be assessed during today and Tropical Cyclone Advices will be issued if required.
"Heavy rain, which may lead to flash flooding, and damaging winds, with peak gusts in excess of 90km/h, are expected to develop about coastal and adjacent inland areas between Port Douglas and the area north of Mackay during Wednesday afternoon. 24 hour rainfall totals in excess of 200mm are possible.
"Water levels on the high tide are also likely to exceed the highest tide of the year about coastal areas between Port Douglas and the areas north of Mackay over the next couple of days."
Locations which may be affected include Port Douglas, Cairns, Mareeba, Hamilton Island, Proserpine, Bowen 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.
- Avoid driving, walking or riding through flood waters.
- Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
- For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.
Warnings are available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 219.