Name: Cyclone Koji wreaks havoc across North Queensland
Uploaded: 2026-01-11T06:42:55.913Z
Duration: 2 min 19 s
Description: Ex-tropical cyclone Koji has crossed the Queensland coast, bringing heavy rain that wreaked havoc in the Mackay and Whitsunday regions. Boats have washed up on Whitsunday beaches, while widespread flooding hit Mackay.

Ex-tropical cyclone Koji has crossed the Queensland coast, bringing heavy rain that wreaked havoc in the Mackay and Whitsunday regions. Boats have washed up on Whitsunday beaches, while widespread flooding hit Mackay.

Bowen

Cyclone Koji struck the Whitsundays and surrounding areas in North Queensland, generating giant swells and powerful winds that damaged boats, forced sailors to abandon ship, and caused widespread flooding. The storm led to the closure of major roads and airports, left residents stranded, and resulted in significant power outages affecting up to 18,000 people at its peak.

Authorities reported wind speeds reaching 117 kilometres per hour and rainfall totals of up to 370 millimetres within 12 hours. Despite the system weakening, rain and strong winds persisted, and officials warned that further severe weather is possible with two months remaining in the region's wet season.

Cyclone Koji wreaks havoc across North Queensland

Spiralling into the Whitsundays, Cyclone Koji wreaked havoc on the water with giant swells. Powerful waves sent moored vessels crashing into rocks, causing sailors to abandon ship at Cannonvale Beach. It looked like the boat that they'd come off had snapped in half basically. The water, there was huge waves crashing in, several boats were going under. They swam half a kilometre to shore before others came to help. Their boat destroyed, but the pair safe back on shore. We would urge people not to enter the water, in particular for those vessels that are now up against the shoreline. It is very dangerous. Winds reached 117 kilometres an hour at Hamilton Island. Mackay also lashed by powerful gusts, sending trees crashing down. Um, this just happened. Already saturated catchments were drenched with more rain. Swollen rivers became raging torrents consuming roads. Oh my God. Transport, the Bruce Highway is cut. It's cut at Peter's Flat just north of Bowen. Residents cut off, some trapped in their homes. At Finchhatten, located outside of Mackay this morning, we saw a rapid creek rising which resulted in two males and five children becoming trapped within a residence there. At one stage the water caused them to climb up onto tables within that residence. At its peak, 18,000 people were without power. In Airlie Beach, rain was blowing in sideways. Mackay and Proserpine airports were closed and paddocks out west were submerged. In regards to rainfall, in the last 12 hours the highest rainfall we've seen recorded is around about 370 millimetres. And even as the system weakened, rain and strong winds persisted. We're only at the end of January, ladies and gentlemen, and we've still got two more months of wet season here in North Queensland. The deluge isn't over yet. And we stand with Queenslanders at this difficult time as well. One of the things that occurs in this great country is that governments come together. Tiani Reid, 10 News.

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