Kirrily

History

Severe Tropical Cyclone Kirrily was the third named storm of the 2023–24 Australian region cyclone season, developing from a tropical low that first appeared over the Gulf of Carpentaria in early January 2024 before drifting east into the Coral Sea. Warm sea surface temperatures of 29–30°C, low wind shear, and favourable outflow allowed it to gradually intensify after the Bureau of Meteorology began issuing warnings on 21 January. The system was named Kirrily on 24 January and reached its peak intensity the following day as a Category 3 severe tropical cyclone, with 10-minute sustained winds of 120 km/h and a central pressure of 978 hPa. It made landfall northwest of Townsville late on 25 January and quickly weakened to a tropical low.

The remnant system tracked westward across Queensland and the Northern Territory into early February, delivering widespread heavy rainfall, with some locations recording over 250 mm in 24 hours and isolated totals approaching 300 mm. At its peak, more than 100,000 properties lost power across Queensland. Fourteen people were rescued from floodwaters, though there were no fatalities. The remnant low also fuelled severe thunderstorms in southeast Queensland, triggering a superstorm warning. Physical damage near the landfall zone was relatively modest — mainly downed trees and minor roof damage — but total losses were estimated at around $120 million. Government disaster assistance was extended to affected households, particularly in the Townsville and Burdekin shires.

Sources: Bureau of Meteorology report Wikipedia