Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of North Tropical Coast and Tablelands and Central Coast and Whitsundays Forecast Districts.

Issued at 3:23 pm Tuesday, 4 February 2025.

Heavy rainfall developing around Cairns and continuing in the Whitsundays.

Weather Situation: Showers with possible embedded thunderstorms are streaming onshore on the North Tropical Coast around Cairns, and also about the Whitsunday coast, causing localised heavy rainfall.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Central Coast and Whitsundays district. Locations which may be affected include Hamilton Island and Airlie Beach.

VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS are likely to produce heavy, locally intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the North Tropical Coast and Tablelands district. Locations which may be affected include Innisfail, Tully and Babinda.

128.4 mm of rainfall recorded at Hamilton Island in 2the hours to 12:27 pm.

148 mm of rainfall recorded at South Mission Beach in the 2 hours to 3:20pm.

Emergency services advise people to:
* If you have children make sure they are with you or an adult you trust.
* Park your car undercover away from trees.
* Close doors and windows.
* Keep asthma medications close by. Storms and wind can trigger asthma attacks.
* Charge mobile phones and power banks in case the power goes out.
* Put your pets somewhere safe and make sure they can be identified in case they get lost.
* Do not drive now unless you have to because conditions are dangerous.
* Tell friends, family and neighbours in the area.
* Go inside a strong building now. Stay inside until the storm has passed.