Issued: 2.30pm, Wednesday 4 March 2026
Next update: 2pm, Thursday 5 March 2026 or as the situation changes.
Cairns Local Management Disaster Group advises people in the Cairns Region to STAY INFORMED for Tropical Low 29U that is moving slowly towards the Queensland coast.
For non-life-threatening flood and storm emergency assistance, contact SES on 132500, 132500.qld.gov.au, or the SES Assistance Qld app on Android or iOS. In a life-threatening situation, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
What are we expecting?
The Bureau of Meteorology advises Tropical Low 29U is developing in the Coral Sea, north of Willis Island. The low has been moving slowly northwest towards the North Tropical Coast.
There is a moderate chance of Tropical Low 29U developing into a tropical cyclone before making landfall on the North Tropical Coast during Friday morning.
GALES with wind gusts to 100 km/h are forecast to develop over exposed coastal areas between Port Douglas and Cardwell, including Cairns, from Thursday evening.
HEAVY RAINFALL, which may lead to FLASH FLOODING, is forecast to develop about coastal and adjacent inland areas north of Ingham on Thursday.
A Flood Watch is current for the Mulgrave and Russell Rivers and Barron Rivers.
Visit the BOM website for the latest track map
What you need to do:
Check or make an emergency kit:
- Find out how to get ready for a tropical cyclone and pack an emergency kit at theGet Ready Queensland website (Get Prepared)
- Conserve Water. Fill up containers and the bath with clean water for drinking in case the water supply is cut off.
- If living near water ways, preparing your home for risk of surface water inundation.
- Park your car under cover and away from trees, powerlines, and flood risk.
- Secure and store loose outdoor items, such as outdoor furniture, trampolines and roofing material.
- Prepare for potential power outages.
- Review your usual transport routes and consider possibility of isolation with low lying bridges and roads.
- Share this information with friends, family, and neighbours.
Prepare your property:
- Fill your car with fuel or charge it. Park it undercover. Do not park under a tree.
- Put away or tie down outside items like furniture, gas bottles, play equipment and any other loose items.
- Know how to safely manage your home's power, solar, water and gas systems, including how to shut them down if needed.
- Check your family, friends and neighbours know what to do. Help them if you can.
If you find it hard to move quickly or have special or medical needs:
- Use your Person-Centred Emergency Plan (P-CEP) now if you have one.
- Make sure you have enough medicine for at least one week.
- If anyone in your house uses powered medical equipment, like a dialysis machine or ventilator, decide now where you will go in case you lose power.
- Call your support person or service to organise transport if you need to leave.
- Leaving early is safer than waiting.
If you are a tourist, visitor, camper or caravanner
- Campers and caravanners should start packing up now.
- If you do not need to be in the area, leave now. Check road conditions and plan your route before you leave.
- Travel out of the current warning area. Stay informed.
- If you choose to stay, ask accommodation staff where to shelter if the cyclone comes.
If you have a boat or jet ski
- Take your boat, jet-ski, canoe or kayak out of the water and store securely on land if possible.
- If your boat is kept on the water, relocate it to a safer mooring if possible.
- If your boat is in a marina, batten down and check-in with the marina manager.
- Check your area's Extreme Weather Contingency Plan on the Maritime Safety Queensland website.
