Cyclone chance grows but Queenslanders ready: premier

Andrew Stafford and John Kidman | January 10, 2026

An expected deluge and possible tropical cyclone are posing fresh threats to Queensland’s already hard-hit far north.

However, Premier David Crisafulli is adamant the state is “better prepared than ever” to handle the challenge.

Tropical Low 12U, stationed east of Cooktown, has a 50 to 60 per cent chance of developing into a category one cyclone, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

If that happens, Koji would likely make landfall just south of Townsville early Sunday morning.

With it would come damaging winds of up to 100 km/h, heavy downpours in already soaked catchment areas and a risk of flash floods.

12U was about 285km northeast of Cairns or about 400 northeast of Townsville, headed south at 100km/h, senior meteorologist Dean Narramore told ABC News on Saturday morning.

“Rainfall will ramp up later today and into tomorrow through firstly the Central Coast region and then into the Herbert and lower Burdekin,” he said.

“There are severe weather warnings from Port Douglas down to Mackay and cyclone warnings are also current from Port Douglas into the Ayr area.”

Despite the concern, Mr Crisafulli said swift-water rescue craft, police, SES officers and paramedics were in position and would work with residents on the ground.

“The locals know their patch and the challenges,” he said.

“In many ways, it has replicated what we saw a little less than 12 months ago when people from the north and central and western parts helped colleagues in the southeast.

“I want Queenslanders to know we are better prepared than ever.”

Whether 12U developed into a cyclone or not, the impacts would likely be the same, Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Angus Hines said on Friday.

He said widespread flooding was expected after the system crossed the coast and predicted rainfall totals of up to 350mm.

“That is a whole lot of wet weather,” he said.

From Sunday, the focus will likely shift south, with the tropical low gradually moving inland from central Queensland.

The picture was less clear in the densely populated southeast of the state, but falls of up to 100mm were possible, with most of the rain expected on Monday and Tuesday.

In the northwest, major flooding that has already heavily affected Gulf Country communities – where livestock losses are projected to be significant – continues on the Flinders River.

Major flood warnings have also been issued for the Herbert, Haughton and Tully rivers.

The federal and Queensland governments have activated funding support for primary producers in flooded areas.

Under the arrangements, farmers can claim eligible veterinary fees associated with the health and welfare of production livestock, as well as costs associated with carcass disposal on their property.

Freight subsidies up to $5000 per property will be made available to move essential materials including fodder, building and fencing materials, machinery and animals for restocking.

Mr Crisafulli said a preliminary survey of property owners indicated some 40,000 stock had already been lost, a number he expected would increase significantly.