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Cyclone Kimi is just a tropical low now, but the Bureau of Meteorology and Emergency Services is warning them could still cause problems in the far north Queensland.

Annastacia Palaszczuk
(@AnnastaciaMP)

Cyclone Kimi tracks the south. The office warns of strong winds and very heavy rain. https://t.co/urb2OsuV5g #CycloneKimi pic.twitter.com/RNqYFgl4bh

January 18, 2021

This is only in from AAP:

Cyclone Kimi has weakened to a tropical low off north Queensland, but emergency services warn people that the storm is still blowing very strong winds and could cause flooding.

Coastal residents were spared the worst after the cyclone was weakened Tuesday morning by a Category 2 system into a storm that lies 135 km north of Townsville.

The Bureau of Meteorology says the system still has gusts of wind up to 95 km / h and will bring heavy downpours to the region between Innisfail and Bowen on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Queensland fire and rescue commissioner John Bolger says the former tropical cyclone Kimi is still a risk and people should remain vigilant.

“Ex-TC Kimmy is now a tropical low near Townsville. Although our coastline crossing is highly unlikely, we are still in a thunderstorm event – very strong winds and a lot of heavy rain – so there is flashing floods and general flood warnings remain, ”he told Seven’s Sunrise program.

“So we ask people to stay vigilant, and I can only tell people to forget about it when it is flooded.”

“We still have responders south of Cairns and north of Townsville. So the emergency still exists, even though we are not dealing with a tropical cyclone, we are still in a very dangerous weather pattern.”

Mr Bolger said rapid water rescue teams, helicopters and flood boats are on hand to handle any flood rescues.

A flood watch has been issued for waterways such as the Mulgrave, Russell, Johnstone, Tully, Murray, Herbert, Black, Haughton, Ross and Bohle Rivers.

“I know we are Queenslanders. I know we go through cyclones every year, but please don’t be complacent,” said Mark Ryan, Queensland Police Secretary, on Monday.

“So when you are in these areas you need to prepare … if it is flooded forget it, have a plan of where you are going, remember where these river basins are, and be aware, that you could do this during this event got flash floods. “