Australia is facing a double natural disaster threat as it prepares for a new cyclone. The flood-hit north is bracing itself for Tropical Cyclone Kirrily, following closely on the heels of Tropical Cyclone Jasper which caused catastrophic flooding in the region mere weeks ago. Despite being in the early stages, emergency housing has barely arrived in the area for the communities recovering from the previous deluge.
Kirrily is expected to form in the Coral Sea by Sunday and could pose a serious risk to the areas from Townsville to Rockhampton. There is still uncertainty surrounding the exact path the cyclone will take, but Queensland Premier Steven Miles is warning residents to prepare for the worst. The Bureau of Meteorology advised that Kirrily has a significant chance of making a severe impact, and forecast models suggest it may be a Category 3 system with winds of up to 165km/h if it makes landfall.
The relentless rain has continued to lash the north tropical coast, with 24-hour rainfall totals reaching 166mm in the Gilbert River catchment and 130mm at Mareeba. The aftermath of Cyclone Jasper has proven to be devastating for communities north of Cairns, where almost 300 people were evacuated from Wujal Wujal after their homes were destroyed.
In an Australian first, the Albanese government has deployed emergency shelters called Humanihuts to assist residents in need. The Northern Territory has also been hit by flooding, with about 100 people evacuated and awaiting further assistance. Furthermore, due to power outages caused by storms, around 5,500 homes in the Perth Hills and Wheatbelt in Western Australia are still without electricity.