Queensland braces for renewed cyclone threat as flood emergencies deepen across coast and interior

Queensland is facing a renewed and compounding weather threat, with authorities warning that dangerous coastal conditions, heavy rainfall, and escalating flood risks are likely to intensify in the coming days as communities continue to recover from ex-cyclone Koji and a second tropical system develops in the Coral Sea.

The Bureau of Meteorology says the emerging system, currently west of Vanuatu, has a high chance of strengthening into a severe tropical cyclone early next week, raising concerns about large and powerful swells, coastal erosion, and renewed flooding across already saturated parts of the state.

"A massive groundswell to hit the coast around Monday," 9News weather expert Garry Youngberry said. "They will start to pull the shark nets out from Coolangatta all the way to Main Beach and up around the Sunshine Coast."


Bureau of Meteorology forecasters warn that northern Queensland is set to endure several more days of heavy rainfall, as the lingering low-pressure system associated with ex-cyclone Koji continues to generate severe thunderstorms across an already saturated region.

Flooding concerns persisted overnight, with authorities maintaining major flood warnings for several areas of the state, while moderate and minor alerts remained in effect elsewhere as conditions continued to evolve.

According to the 9News website, the regional development minister said 71 properties across the affected area have sustained damage, with four significantly impacted by the flooding. Hardship payments are in place for affected mining communities as flooding threatens Yamba this weekend and Rockhampton early next week. Authorities warn risks along the Fitzroy River will intensify but rise gradually.

In the Gulf of Carpentaria, authorities are relying on ongoing convoys of trucks and tractors to supply food to isolated communities cut off by floodwaters.