Queensland Ready For Much Needed Rain Thanks To Cyclone Owen

Queensland's entire east coast will receive much-needed rain later this week from tropical Cyclone Owen, which has reformed into a category one system.

Winds of up to 224km/h are expected to hit in some parts, while rain heave rain is expected along the entire east coast towards the end of the week. 

 The Bureau of Meteorology says the cyclone is currently located northwest of Mornington Island and is still tracking west.

It is expected to swing around to the east on Wednesday morning, and will intensify further into a category three system before it crosses the Queensland coastline near Karumba on Friday.

Residents between the Queensland and Northern Territory border have been warned to prepare as the low pressure system gathers strength over the warm waters of the Gulf of Carpentaria.

On Mornington Island, 470km north of Mount Isa, some residents have already begun leaving as a precaution.

Gales with gusts up toThe cyclone is expected to weaken to a low pressure system by the weekend but will still bring destructive winds and heavy rainfall of up to 200mm to the Townsville region on Saturday.

The system is then predicted to push south, dumping much-needed heavy rain along the entire east coast of the state.

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