Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Heavy Rainfall Issued for North Tropical Coast and Tablelands

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning (IDQ21033) for heavy rainfall. This high-priority alert was issued at 6:30 am Sunday, 15 March 2026, for residents in parts of the North Tropical Coast and Tablelands Forecast District.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically targets the North Tropical Coast region. Locations that may be affected by these conditions include:

• Cairns
• Port Douglas
• Yarrabah
• Wujal Wujal
• Daintree Village
• Mossman

What You Should Do

Emergency services advise people in the warning area to take the following immediate actions:

• Seek Shelter: Go inside a strong building now and stay inside until the storm has passed.
• Avoid Travel: Do not drive now unless you have to because conditions are dangerous.
• Secure Property: Park your car undercover and away from trees; close all doors and windows.
• Health Preparedness: Keep asthma medications close by, as storms and wind can trigger asthma attacks.
• Power and Communication: Charge mobile phones and power banks in case of power outages.
• Pet Safety: Put your pets somewhere safe and ensure they can be identified if they get lost.
• Communication: Tell friends, family, and neighbors in the area about the warning.

Expected Conditions

A surge of east to southeasterly winds is currently directing showers and thunderstorms onto the North Tropical Coast. These severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours.

Timeline

The alert was issued at 6:30 am on Sunday, 15 March 2026. The Bureau of Meteorology expects to issue the next update by 9:30 am. Residents are encouraged to monitor local TV and radio broadcasts for further developments.