Kirrily Starts Clean-Up After ‘Tense’ Evening
The clean-up from ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily has begun in north Queensland after the weather system was downgraded to a tropical low. Damaging winds and rainfall totals from 100-150mm hit regions on Thursday evening, Jan. 25, with minimal property damage. Authorities have now begun the process of restoring power to tens of thousands of homes and businesses. About 100 Ergon Energy workers were on the ground conducting damage assessments, with a further 600 headed to Townsville over the weekend. Vegetation and trees on powerlines must be cleared before crews can assess the full extent of the damage to the grid. Their priority is to reconnect emergency services, hospitals, schools, and critical infrastructure. No lives have been lost in the cyclone and 65,000 homes and businesses across the region remain without power, the majority of which are in Townsville. There is also the possibility for minor-to-major riverine flooding in those areas as the system moves west.
