Thousands in Queensland lost power after cyclone Koji made landfall, bringing strong winds, rainfall and widespread disruption to coastal areas
QUEENSLAND: Thousands of residents in northeast Australia were left without electricity after cyclone Koji, a category one tropical system, struck Queensland’s coastline over the weekend. The storm brought intense rainfall, wind gusts up to 95 kilometres per hour, and coastal disruption across several towns before weakening into a tropical low.
According to Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology, cyclone Koji made landfall between Ayr and Bowen, approximately 500 kilometres north of Brisbane, early Sunday. The storm swept through coastal regions including Mackay — a popular tourist gateway to the Great Barrier Reef — dumping as much as 200 millimetres of rain overnight and triggering flood warnings in multiple districts.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli confirmed that more than 15,000 properties had lost power due to the cyclone, with reports of property and boat damage and blocked roads. Emergency services remained on alert as further heavy rain was forecast for the next 24 to 48 hours, particularly across low-lying and flood-prone areas.
Authorities advised residents to remain indoors and avoid non-essential travel, as crews worked to restore power and assess damage. Although the cyclone weakened rapidly after landfall, its aftermath raised concerns about flooding and infrastructure disruptions, particularly in coastal communities.
Tropical cyclones are not uncommon during the Australian summer season, and local authorities have prepared contingency measures for quick response. Koji, while milder compared to stronger systems in previous years, still posed serious challenges due to its rainfall intensity and localised wind damage.
Residents can track further weather updates and safety advisories through the official Australian Bureau of Meteorology portal.
