THIS POST IS NO LONGER CURRENT, PLEASE DISREGARD

Sent: Saturday, 10 January 2026 3:19 PM
Subject: Important Weather Notice #5 to Marina Customers - Activation of Stage 4 CONDITION RED

To our Marina Customers, Residents and Community,

Weather Notice 5 – Advance to Stage 4 Condition RED from 3pm Today

Effective at 3pm this afternoon, Breakwater has advanced its Cyclone Warning System to Stage 4 Condition Red. This is the final Stage of our Cyclone Warning System and is in response to the imminent threat of a Tropical Cyclone having a localised impact.

BOM has revised the Warning Area in the North Tropical Coast to the area between Innisfail and the Whitsundays.

At the time of writing the Tropical Low has yet to form in to a Cyclone but that development is forecast for late tonight - possibly early Sunday morning – and to a Category 2 system.

The BOM’s most recent forecast track at 2pm this afternoon anticipates the weather system will cross the coast south of Townsville, around Ayr, as a Category 1 strength Tropical Cyclone at approximately midday Sunday. The system, once over land, will then weaken as it moves inland.

Winds are expected to reach gale force this afternoon and in to the night with gusts reaching 130kmh or 70 knots about coastal areas. These winds are expected to ease as the system crosses the coast and moves inland during Sunday. BOM have added that the heavy rain and damaging wind impacts are likely to be similar regardless of whether it becomes a tropical cyclone.

Note, that the SE and S winds we’ve got now will turn northerly on Sunday once the system has passed.

Given the BOM anticipates the system will form in to a Tropical Cyclone Cat 2 and cross the coast within the next 12 hours, Breakwater Marina is advancing it's Cyclone Warning status from Stage 3 Condition blue to Stage 4 and Condition RED effective 3pm Saturday.

What it’s mean for you when we advance Breakwater’s Warning System to Stage 4 Condition RED?

Condition RED – is the final stage of Breakwater Marina’s 4 stage Cyclone Warning System and we move on the expectation we have an imminent threat of a localised severe weather impact with damaging wind gusts up to 50 knots and heavy rain expected.

The wind and rain has strengthened as the day’s gone on, so we trust that many of our Marina residents will have taken the opportunity already to leave the Marina voluntarily. All boats by now are locked down.

Mandatory Evacuation Order Notice issued:

• Stage 4 Condition RED triggers the mandatory evacuation of marina residents.
• We’ve monitored the track maps and forecasts closely over the last 24 hours. We’ve set-out previously that if the system doesn’t intensify beyond the forecast Cat 1 strength, Breakwater will not trigger the mandatory evacuation order; leaving instead the decision to seek alternate shelter at the discretion of Marina residents.
• On the BOM’s most recent forecast, which predicts the Tropical Cyclone will intensify overnight to a Category 2 strength system, we must put into effect the Mandatory Evacuation order for residents of the Marina. Conditions along coastal areas are anticipated to be the most severe so the decision to leave the Marina is very much premised on safety.
• Whilst we acknowledge the most recent forecast track map released by BOM anticipates the system will pass south of Townsville, we have to expect that Townsville remains very much in the Warning Area and that a small track change puts Townsville on course for a more direct impact.
• In accordance with the Townsville Local Disaster Management Group (TLDMG), gale strength winds are expected from 4pm so you need to seek alternate refuge by no later than 5pm this afternoon.
• If you have alternate accommodation or can stay with friends or family, please do so by 5pm. The TLDMG has opened refuge shelters from 2pm at the 143 Walker St car park and the Heatley Cyclone Shelter. Pets are allowed at the Walker St facility.

Shore Power – We will not be shutting the Marina power off but we add that the Townsville power grid may be impacted during the weather event which will accordingly affect the power at the Marina. Keep an eye on the Ergon or Townsville Disaster pages for advice on outages.   

On the expectation the weather system crosses the coast tomorrow around midday the conditions will ease and we will be onsite to check around the Marina and property. If there are issues, particularly concerning safety, we will circulate a note to everyone. We ask also that should you come across any boat problems, damage or issues about safety that you contact the Marina Office as soon as you’re able so we can attend to the problem straight away.

We want to thank our Marina Customers, Boat Owners and Residents for their proactive and sensible response to this pending weather threat. Having a collective effort with all boat owners taking the sensible and proven precautions is the best way to protect your boat against the risk of damage in severe weather and the boats around yours.

We share in the hope this weather system passes quickly with as little impact as possible.

Many Thanks

 

Scott Marshall    |    General Manager