28 Jan 2011

Queensland now threatened by cyclones

9:00 pm on 28 January 2011

After weeks of devastating floods, Queensland is again on high alert with a warning two cyclones could hit the Australian state's coast next week

Emergency services are also keeping a close eye on a cyclone nearing Western Australia, the ABC reports.

Tropical Cyclone Anthony has reformed into a category 1 system off North Queensland and has turned back towards land.

The weather bureau says the cyclone reformed on Friday morning and is about 950km north-north-east of Townsville.

Premier Anna Bligh says Anthony could become a Category 3 cyclone by Monday.

A second system is off Fiji and could hit Queensland as a Category 4 or 5 cyclone as early as next Thursday.

Ms Bligh says she has re-activated the state's disaster management group to deal with the threat.

Police say residents need to stock up on essential supplies.

Meanwhile, authorities along the south-west coast of Western Australia are also preparing for possible damage from Cyclone Bianca.

The bureau says there is a significant risk that Bianca, a Category 3 system, could maintain tropical cyclone intensity as it approaches the coast early on Sunday.