TOWNSVILLE has been declared a disaster zone as all schools are closed and businesses are urged to allow workers to stay home if possible.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has ordered all Townsville schools and childcare centres to close tomorrow.

The decision was made after an emergency briefing, giving families as much prior warning as possible.

“We need to ensure everyone’s safety,” she said.

“The bureau’s advice is, if this monsoonal weather continues, the next few days could see more heavy rainfall.

“It is safer if families are not trying to get to and from school.”

The disaster situation declaration gives police wider evacuation powers if needed.

The severe weather is a once in 20 year event.

Ms Palaszczuk said people should take care on the roads, stay home if possible and remember if it’s flooded forget it.

The Queensland Disaster Management Committee will meet at Kedron at 10am on Friday to assess the situation.

Police have urged businesses to consider allowing workers to stay home in a bid to keep people off the roads.

WEATHER LATEST:

While rainfall rates have eased over the warning area in the past three to six hours, the Bureau warns there remains a high risk of redevelopment of heavy rainfall bands, with the potential to produce flash flooding, over the warning area this evening and during Friday.

“Six-hourly rainfall totals between 150mm to 200mm are likely with this activity, with isolated heavier falls possible, particularly with bands of thunderstorms,” the warning says.

“Creek and river catchments are already saturated and will therefore respond very rapidly to any rainfall.

“Longer term, the restrengthening of the monsoon trough over the weekend may lead to multiple areas of heavy to intense rainfall over already saturated ground between about Innisfail and Bowen, with the potential for particularly significant and dangerous flash flooding.”

All Townsville district schools and childcare centres will be closed tomorrow.

The Bureau warns if monsoon trough continues we face a continuing weather event. Take care of neighbours, stay tuned to local warnings and remember if it’s flooded forget it. pic.twitter.com/jCO244t6dT — Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) January 31, 2019

Townsville forecast

Friday: Rain, storm. 150mm to 200mm.

Saturday: Rain, storm. 150mm to 200mm.

Sunday: Rain, storm. 120mm to 200mm.

Monday: Rain, storm. 120mm to 200mm.

Tuesday: Rain, storm. 60mm to 100mm.

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