Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland Regional Office
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
SEVERE WEATHER WARNING
for DESTRUCTIVE WINDS, HEAVY RAINFALL, ABNORMALLY HIGH TIDES and DANGEROUS SURF
For people in the
Wide Bay and Burnett,
Southeast Coast and parts of the
Darling Downs and Granite Belt Forecast Districts.
Issued at 11:32 am Saturday, 26 January 2013.
Synoptic Situation:
At 10am EST, Ex Tropical Cyclone Oswald was slow moving over the Central
Highlands and Coalfields district, about 75km northeast of Emerald and 290km west northwest of Gladstone [note corrected position].
Ex Tropical Cyclone Oswald is expected to remain slow moving for much of today before shifting south southeast on Sunday.
A trough extends from Ex Tropical Cyclone Oswald to the southern Capricornia coast.
Damaging winds, with peak gusts of around 100km/h are possible over the Wide Bay and Burnett, northern stretches of the Sunshine Coast and northern parts of the Darling Downs and Granite Belt district, particularly over higher terrain. These
conditions are expected to contract southwards into the Southeast Coast district
and also extend west to the Great Dividing Range during Sunday, with destructive wind gusts in excess of 125 km/h possibly developing Sunday afternoon or
evening.
Heavy rainfall which may lead to flash flooding is expected over the Wide Bay and Burnett district and Southeast Coast district, extending west to the Great
Dividing Range.
Damaging winds, with peak gusts of around 100km/h are possible over the Wide Bay and Burnett, northern stretches of the Sunshine Coast and northern parts of the Darling Downs and Granite Belt district, particularly over higher terrain. These
conditions are expected to contract southwards into the Southeast Coast district
and also extend west to the Great Dividing Range during Sunday, with destructive wind gusts in excess of 125 km/h possibly developing Sunday afternoon or
evening.
Heavy rainfall which may lead to flash flooding is expected over the Wide Bay and Burnett district and Southeast Coast district, extending west to the Great
Dividing Range.
Six hour rainfall accumulations in excess of 100mm are likely,
particularly during Sunday. This could lead to rapid river and stream rises. 24 hour rainfall accumulations in excess of 250mm are likely.
Currently, the heaviest rain is located on radar over the southern Capricornia
district and through northern stretches of the Wide Bay and Burnett district.
particularly during Sunday. This could lead to rapid river and stream rises. 24 hour rainfall accumulations in excess of 250mm are likely.
Currently, the heaviest rain is located on radar over the southern Capricornia
district and through northern stretches of the Wide Bay and Burnett district.
Areas near Gladstone and south to Bundaberg have recorded 200 to 500mm in the 24
hours to 9am Saturday. Some areas through the southern Capricornia have now
recorded close to 900mm over the past 48 hours.
Water levels on the morning high tides are likely to exceed the highest tide of the year about coastal and island locations from Burnett Heads to the New South
Wales border during Sunday and Monday. The sea level is likely to rise above the normal tide and the exposed beaches will experience damaging waves and flooding of some low lying areas close to the shoreline.
Dangerous surf conditions, with significant beach erosion, are expected to develop along the coast from Burnett Heads to the New South Wales border from
today, but particularly Sunday and Monday. This includes Hervey Bay and northern parts of Moreton Bay.
Flood Warnings are current for various rivers and streams in these districts, see www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings.
A separate Severe Weather Warning is current for the Capricornia and Central
Highlands and Coalfields districts.
Emergency Management Queensland 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.
* Surf Life Saving Australia recommends that you stay out of the water and
stay well away from surf-exposed areas.
* Check your property regularly for erosion or inundation by sea water, and if
necessary raise goods and electrical items.
* For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.
The next warning is due to be issued by 5:35 pm.
Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's
website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 219.
The Bureau and Emergency Management Queensland would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.
