Severe Weather Warning - Damaging Winds and Heavy Rainfall At 4pm AEST, a slow-moving tropical low…

Severe Weather Warning - Damaging Winds and Heavy Rainfall

At 4pm AEST, a slow-moving tropical low was located about 90km east-southeast of Lockhart River. The system is currently embedded within the strengthening monsoon trough, which extends from the Arafura Sea and into the northern Gulf of Carpentaria and Coral Sea. The embedded tropical low is expected to continue intensifying tonight and into Sunday while moving slowly west over Cape York Peninsula. Uncertainty does exist whether the system will move into the Gulf of Carpentaria or remain over Cape York Peninsula on Sunday and into Monday. Regardless of its movement, the tropical low and monsoon trough are expected to produce areas of heavy rainfall, which may lead to flash flooding, and localised damaging wind gusts. Six hourly totals between 120mm to 180mm are likely over coastal and adjacent inland areas north of about Cooktown for the remainder of today and extending west across the Peninsula during Sunday. Isolated heavier falls are possible, particularly with embedded thunderstorms. Damaging winds, with peak gusts up to 90km/h are possible from Sunday afternoon. Locations which may be affected include Lockhart River, Weipa, Old Mapoon, Coen, Torres Strait Islands, Cooktown, Musgrave, Laura and Hope Vale. A flood watch is current for coastal catchments north of Cardwell, including catchments in the Cape York Peninsula. Queensland Fire and Emergency Services - QFES 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. * Never drive, walk or ride through flood waters. If it's flooded, forget it. * Keep clear of creeks and storm drains

Please prepare your properties and stay safe. If you need emergency assistance please contact SES on 132 500.

Further information can be found on the Bureau of Meteorology website http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ21037.shtml