A Tropical Cyclone warning has been issued for parts of East Arnhem Land, including Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory Police say
Bureau of Meteorology officially declared Tropical Cyclone Nora had formed off the Northern Territory’s northeast coast. The Category 1 system is slowly intensifying as it moves east.
A Warning has been issued for communities from Elcho Island to Cape Shield, including Nhulunbuy as well as in Queensland between Pompuraaw to Thursday Island including Weipa. A Watch zone is in place from the NT/QLD border to Pompuraaw.
"The Bureau of Meteorology is expecting TC Nora to intensify rapidly as it heads towards the Gulf of Carpentaria today," Regional Controller Craig Laidler said.
"People in the NT warning zone should expect gales with gusts up to 110 kilometres per hour in coastal zones if TC Nora travels in a more southerly direction than originally forecast. We’d urge them stay away from beaches and coastal areas in case there are possible storm surges or coastal flooding."
"The system is expected to reach Category 2 today, and Category 3 by early Saturday."
Those in the Warning zone should:
- Prepare for gales and heavy rain during today and into this evening
- Finalise your home preparations
- Check your family, friends and neighbours understand and are prepared
- Move indoors and shelter as the conditions deteriorate
- Stay indoors and avoid travel during the storm
If you are in the Watch zone you need to make sure you:
- Re-check your property for any loose material and tie down (or fill with water) all large, relatively light items such as boats and rubbish bins.
- Fill your vehicles' fuel tanks. Fill Jerry cans with fuel if you have any.
- Check your emergency kit and fill any water containers you may have (you should have at least 3 litres of water per person per day for at least 72 hours).
- Tune in to your local radio and/or television stations for further information and warnings.
Cyclone preparedness information is available at SecureNT: https://securent.nt.gov.au/prepare-for-an-emergency/cyclones
For more information on the tropical low and weather warnings go to the BoM website: http://www.bom.gov.au/nt/warnings
