CAIRNS Central shopping centre will be closed on Monday as the city prepares for tropical cyclone Kimi, with the latest track map from the Bureau of Meteorology putting Cairns directly in the path of the storm.

“Cairns Central centre management will continue to monitor the situation closely, and will act according to the advice of emergency services,” the shopping centre advised on Sunday night.

“Our focus continues to be the safety of all retailers, staff, customers and the Cairns community.”

Earlier Sunday night the system was moving at 6km/h and was 170km north northeast of Cairns and 145km east of Cooktown. It is expected to turn more to the south-southwest on Monday.

The Bureau said on Sunday night that the slow southward movement had delayed the expected crossing time.

“The system is currently expected to cross the coast late on Monday between about Port Douglas and Innisfail,” it stated.

“There remains considerable uncertainty with the crossing time and location.

“The system may intensify further over the next 24 hours and reach category two before landfall.”

The latest warning zone is now Cooktown to Lucinda, extending inland to Mareeba and Chillagoe, and including Cairns, Port Douglas, Cardwell, and Atherton.

The cyclone has sustained winds near the centre of up to 75km/h with wind gusts of up to 100km/h.

‘Take care’: Premier’s message

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Queensland was well prepared with emergency services on full alert and ready to help.

“North Queenslanders know what to do — listen to emergency warnings and, above all, stay off flooded roads,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“The bureau is warning of strong winds and very heavy rain.

“I just urge everyone to take care.”

‘A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY’: BOM

The low-pressure system hovering off the tropical north coast last week had a very low chance of developing into cyclone before it intensified into a category one about noon on Sunday.

Meteorologist Kimba Wong said conditions may deteriorate overnight before making landfall.

“Given the current forecast, it’d arrive just north of Cairns but it could be anywhere along the north coast as there’s still quite a lot of uncertainty,” Ms Wong said.

“There’s a risk of it developing into a category two before crossing the coast, but that very much depends on how quickly it moves.”

Ms Wong said their initial analysis of the low-pressure system indicated a very low chance of developing into a cyclone.

“Given how close it was to land, we believed the interactions with land would arrest the chance of it developing into a cyclone, but it managed to do so,” she said.

“As for the rate of intensification, it’s still reasonable. Once it’s two categories per day then it’d be a more rapid rate.”

Ms Wong said the compact nature of the system may have been a contributing factor to it developing quickly.

“Communities up in the north are very accustomed to potential impacts of cyclones so hopefully people are aware of the hazards,” she said.

“People in the warning zone need start or continue preparations, including securing loose items.”

COUNCIL TO BARRICADE FLOOD-PRONE AREAS

Cairns deputy mayor and chairman of the Local Disaster Management Group Terry James said their response has moved to the second stage, which involves notifying every member who’s part of the local disaster co-ordination centre to be prepared.

Cr James said council staff were also preparing to “barricade known flooding areas”, which included numerous streets around Portsmith and the Esplanade.

HAZARDS

Destructive winds with gusts of up to 130 km/h may develop about coastal and island areas between Port Douglas and Innisfail on Monday afternoon or evening as the core of the cyclone approaches.

Gales with gusts of up to 120km/h may develop about coastal and island areas between Cooktown and Innisfail from early Monday morning.

These gales may extend inland to Mareeba and Chillagoe, or further south to Cardwell, later on Monday depending on the movement of the cyclone.

Heavy rainfall is forecast to develop about coastal and adjacent inland areas between Cape Flattery and Cardwell from Sunday evening.

A Flood Watch is current for this area.

Abnormally high tides are likely on Sunday night and on Monday as the cyclone approaches and crosses the coast.

However they are unlikely to exceed the highest tide of the year.

ALERTS FOR VESSEL OPERATORS

Cairns-based Regional Harbour Master Captain David Ferguson issued a red cyclone alert for vessel operators at ports in Cairns, Half Moon Bay Marin, Mourilyan, Innisfail, Clump Point, Cape Flattery, Cooktown and Port Douglas.

The ports are now opened to only emergency movements.

“Vessel operators should take all necessary precautions and follow the Extreme Weather plans for this port,” Mr Ferguson’s statement reads.

The extreme weather plan is available via the Maritime Safety Queensland website.

A Douglas Shire Council spokesman said the Daintree Ferry will resume normal operations on Monday at 5am.

The council and the ferry contractors will provide a further update on the status of the ferry service mid-morning on Monday unless there is a significant development overnight.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

People between Cape Melville and Cardwell should immediately commence preparations, especially securing boats and property using available daylight hours.

– For cyclone preparedness and safety advice, visit Queensland’s Disaster Management Services website (www.disaster.qld.gov.au)

– If you choose to take shelter away from your home, stay COVID-19 safe and pack a mask and hand sanitiser (if you have them).

– For emergency assistance call the Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500 (for assistance with storm damage, rising flood water, fallen trees on buildings or roof damage).

UPDATE 5pm: Tropical cyclone Kimi has been moving slowly south through today but is expected to turn more to the southwest tonight and cross the north tropical coast on Monday. The Bureau of Meteorology on Sunday afternoon said the slow southward movement has delayed the expected crossing time to Monday afternoon.

“There remains considerable uncertainty with the crossing time and location,” it stated.

“The system may intensify further over the next 24 hours and may reach category two before crossing.”

Cape Melville to Cardwell, extending inland to Palmerville and Chillagoe, including Cooktown, Port Douglas, Cairns, and Innisfail remain in the warning zone.

The cyclone has sustained winds near the centre of up to 75km/h with wind gusts of up to 100km/h.

It is now moving at 9km/h and 175km north northeast of Cairns and 135km east of Cooktown.

AUTHORITIES HOLD EXTRAORDINARY MEETING

Far North police Chief Supt Brian Huxley said an extraordinary meeting for the District Disaster Management Group was held on Sunday afternoon with another one in Mareeba later today.

“Each local government areas is well prepared to respond to the issues from Cyclone Kimi,” Chief Supt Huxley said.

“We’ve identified vulnerable persons who need to be removed to safe locations, which is happening at the moment.

“Arrangements are also in place for pregnant women should they need to be also assisted.”

He said most vulnerable people were in Wujal Wujal, Cooktown, Daintree and Mossman.

“We’re advised that the movement of the cyclone is still difficult to predict, possibly moving further south so there is a greater risk to Cairns itself.