Monster Cyclone Threatens Northern Australia Coast

One of the biggest cyclones in living memory is expected to lash northern Australia, raising fears of further devastation in regions already impacted by flooding.

Cyclone Narelle Barrels Toward Queensland

Tropical Cyclone Narelle is heading toward far north Queensland, predicted to make landfall as a dangerous category five system with winds of up to 225km/h. The destructive cyclone is expected to cross the coast near Coen, north of Cairns, early on Friday.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli warned on Wednesday that “This may be the biggest system that many people have seen in living memory.” He added, “The situation is evolving. It’s a serious situation, and the window to act is obviously closing.”

Residents have been warned to prepare for very destructive wind gusts, intense rainfall, and dangerous flooding as Cyclone Narelle crosses the coast. The system is forecast to make three separate landfalls, crossing Cape York, then onto the Northern Territory’s Top End coast before moving into Western Australia’s Kimberley coast.

This is the third system to impact the Queensland region in barely two months, following two previous lows that caused widespread flooding. Narelle is the biggest cyclone to hit the far north since category four system Cyclone Debbie devastated the Whitsundays in 2017, causing billions of dollars in damage.

More than 100 emergency personnel have been deployed north as locals prepare for the cyclone. State disaster coordinator Chris Stream urged residents not to risk their safety, stating, “This is not the opportunity for you to be outside during the cyclone, getting that TikTok moment – do not do it. A piece of debris being propelled at over 100km/h will kill you.”

A cyclone watch zone has been declared from Lockhart River on the Cape York Peninsula to the Port Douglas region. An emergency alert was issued on Wednesday for Lockhart River, advising locals to “prepare now” and to “Secure belongings, warn others and plan a safe shelter.”

Damaging wind gusts of up to 120km/h are expected to impact the coast by Thursday, with very destructive wind gusts exceeding 225km/h anticipated on Friday morning. Senior meteorologist Jonathan How of the Bureau of Meteorology told AAP that property damage, roofs being torn off, trees being stripped, and power lines being cut down are expected.

Heavy rainfall is also expected, causing flash flooding and a dangerous storm tide. Flood watches are in place south to Cairns and Ingham, with significant rainfall expected across tropical Queensland.

Cyclone Narelle is also expected to bring heavy rain to already flooded communities in the Northern Territory’s Top End, including Katherine. The NT government announced a AU$100 million (NZ$121.4 million) flood recovery fund on Tuesday to rebuild critical infrastructure.

Approximately 580 people from the flooded NT communities of Daly River and Palumpa remain in emergency shelters in Darwin and Mataranka. Flooding at Daly River has reached roof height, peaking at 16.42m, surpassing the 1998 record.

Katherine Mayor Joanna Holden told AAP, “I think everybody’s just holding their breath at the moment, hoping that it just dissipates or goes around.”