IDQP0005
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland
Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre
Media: The Standard Emergency Warning Signal should NOT be used with this
warning.
TOP PRIORITY
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 8
Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane
Issued at 8:03am on Sunday the 11th of January 2009
A Cyclone WARNING has been issued for coastal and island communities from Weipa
to NT/QLD Border. A Cyclone WATCH remains current for coastal and island
communities from the Torres Strait Islands to Weipa, and NT/QLD Border and Port
McArthur.
At 7:00 am EST [6:30 am CST] a Tropical Low was estimated to be 55 kilometres
north northwest of Mornington Island and
315 kilometres west southwest of Pormpuraaw. The Low has moved southeast at 10
km/hr during the past 3 hours.
The low is expected to drift slowly east over Gulf waters while deepening. It is
likely to develop into a weak Tropical Cyclone this afternoon.
GALES are expected to extend at least 220 kilometres from the centre on the
north of the system, and 110 kilometres to its south. These GALES may affect
coastal areas between Weipa and the NT/QLD border during the next 24 hours.
Coastal residents between Weipa and the NT/QLD border are specifically warned of
the dangerous storm tide as the cyclone crosses the coast. 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.
Also, gales associated with the strengthening monsoon flow over the northern
Gulf are expected about the northern Cape York Peninsula coast later today. The
strengthening monsoon is already producing abnormally high tides and squally
monsoon showers about the southern and eastern Gulf coasts. A separate Severe
Weather Warning has been issued for these damaging wind gusts and abnormally
high tides.
Details of Tropical Low at 7:00 am EST [6:30 am CST]:
.Centre located near...... 16.2 degrees South 139.0 degrees East
.Location accuracy........ within 75 kilometres
.Recent movement.......... southeast at 10 km/hr during the past 3 hours.
.Wind gusts near centre... 65 kilometres per hour
.Severity category........ below cyclone intensity
.Central pressure......... 994 hectoPascals
People between Weipa and NT/Qld border should take precautions and listen to the
next advice at 11.00am. If you are unsure about precautions to be taken,
information is available from your local government or local State Emergency
Service.
People between Port McArthur and Thursday Island should consider what action
they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases. If you are unsure about
the actions to be taken, information is available from your local government or
local State Emergency Service.
The next advice will be issued by 11:00 am EST Sunday 11 January [10:30 am CST
Sunday 11 January].
This warning is also available through TV and Radio Broadcasts; the Bureau's
website at
http://www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 212. The Bureau and the State
Emergency Service would appreciate this warning being broadcast regularly.
