National

Heavy rain hits hard as cyclone barrels towards coast

By AAP Newswire

Jan 11, 2026

Local residents fill sandbags in Townsville — Residents fill sandbags as authorities warn of flooding as Cyclone Koji approaches Queensland. -AAP Image

Heavy rainfall is lashing far north Queensland as Tropical Cyclone Koji nears land, threatening to unleash more flooding in the region.

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The category one storm is expected to cross the coast between Ayr and Bowen on Sunday morning, the Bureau of Meteorology said.

Heavy rain is hammering Ayr and Mackay and damaging 100km/h wind gusts have slammed tourism hotspot Whitsunday Islands.

Overnight falls of up to 200mm were recorded west of Mackay with the bulk of the falls expected in the next two days.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli praised the preparation of communities that have endured floods in the past.

"I do believe that people have prepared brilliantly for the rain that will come," he said on Sunday.

"If Queenslanders continue to do that then I have every faith we will respond following the event."

Warnings are in place for much of the northeast Queensland coast from Townsville to Mackay, including Bowen, Proserpine and the Whitsunday Islands.

Heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding is developing between Townsville and St Lawrence and tides are likely to be higher than normal between Cardwell and Mackay, the bureau noted.

The heavy downpours could add to already-soaked catchment areas.

After crossing inland on Sunday morning, gales are expected to ease rapidly as Koji weakens and then tracks westwards.

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.