'Expect to lose power': Queenslanders in path of likely cyclone urged to prepare

Friday, 9 January 2026 20:18

"Plan for the worst" was the message from Premier David Crisafulli after today's emergency management meeting.

Queenslanders on the state's north coast are being urged to prepare for a massive rainfall event as forecasters warn a tropical low sitting off the coast is likely to reach cyclone intensity before it crosses the coast on the weekend.

"Plan for the worst" was the message from Premier David Crisafulli after today's emergency management meeting.

Sodden catchments that have endured days of rainfall, between Hope Vale in the north and Mackay in the south, some already exceeding half a metre of rain, are set to receive even more when the system reaches the coast sometime tomorrow.

Crisafulli said additional police, fire and rescue and SES personnel had been deployed to the area.

"They join many thousands of local people who live and work in these areas and who are very experienced in this," the premier said.

"If you know you're in a low-lying area, now's the time to get your sandbags.

"I'm just asking people just to do the little things today to help, when this rainfall event does come in whatever shape it takes and wherever it comes, there's no harm in doing the preparation now.

"This rainfall will impact a large area, a large population, but they have great experience and great nous in being able to handle this."

Chris Hooper from Ergon Energy said people in warning areas should get ready for power outages.

"With these sort of systems that come through, we could expect to lose power," he said.

Mobile phone services could also be impacted.

Deputy Police Commissioner Chris Stream was scathing of people driving into floodwaters despite warnings ad nauseam.

"It's critical that people through those warning areas remain vigilant, and pay close attention to both the bureau warnings and also the information supplied through the disaster.qld.gov.au website," Stream said.

"You have all seen that emergency services have had to carry out a number of rescues over the last, several days.

"That has included two rescue activities in the last 24 hours.

"This is beyond stupidity," Stream said.

"When you drive into floodwaters, this is negligent activity, you are placing yourselves and your passengers at risk, as well as other people that have to come and rescue you from those situations."

Townsville Mayor Nick Dametto said sandbagging sites are being replenished.

He urged people to be "prepared but not panicked".

"With warnings of heavy rain and wind, we could see power outages over the weekend and next 48 hours," Dametto said.

"We want people to take this seriously but not be worried to the point where they're stripping the shelves."

Meanwhile Cairns residents are now on level four water restrictions and are being asked to restrict their water use to drinking, cooking, and bathing due to "high turbidity" in the catchment.

Emergency kits should contain food, bottled water and medication for three to four days, pet supplies, torches with batteries and a radio.