Tropical Cyclone Warning – UPDATE #11
The system started moving east overnight and out over the water, away from Port McArthur and Borroloola and may increase to Category 4 intensity later today.
The system started moving east overnight and out over the water, away from Port McArthur and Borroloola and may increase to Category 4 intensity later today.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Owen is now taking a more easterly course, retracing its path back towards Queensland.
Cyclone shelters have been opened for people in Borroloola and Numbulwar as Tropical Cyclone Owen strengthens and has the potential to reach a Category 3 system by early tomorrow morning.
Cyclone shelters have been opened for people in Borroloola and Numbulwar as Tropical Cyclone Owen strengthens and has the potential to reach a Category 3 system by early tomorrow morning.
A number of communities near the Gulf of Carpentaria are being advised to activate their cyclone plans as Category 2 Tropical Cyclone Owen is forecast to increase in strength.
Bureau of Meteorology predictions suggest Ex-Tropical Cyclone Owen will intensify as it moves through the Gulf of Carpentaria and is expected to redevelop into a Tropical Cyclone during Wednesday morning.
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Northern Territory
Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre
Media: The Standard Emergency Warning Signal should NOT be used with this warning.
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING
Issued at 10:44 am ACST [11:14 am AEST] on Friday 23 March 2018
Tropical Cyclone Nora, located off the NT northeast coast, is now at category 2 and moving slowly east.
Elcho Island to Cape Shield, including Nhulunbuy and Pormpuraaw to Thursday Island, including Weipa.
NT/Qld Border to Pormpuraaw.
None.
Intensity: Category 2, sustained winds near the centre of 95 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 130 kilometres per hour.
Location: within 55 kilometres of 9.9 degrees South 137.0 degrees East, estimated to be 260 kilometres north of Nhulunbuy and 610 kilometres west northwest of Weipa.
Movement: east at 4 kilometres per hour.
The cyclone is undergoing rapid intensification, and is expected to turns southeast today and move into the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Tropical Cyclone Nora is currently moving slowly eastwards but will begin a more southeasterly path during today and Saturday into the Gulf of Carpentaria. The system has intensified to Category 2 today and is expected to reach Category 3 in the next 24 hours. By Sunday, the Tropical Cyclone will most likely be located over the southern Gulf of Carpentaria. A coastal crossing anywhere along the western Cape York Peninsula south of Weipa during Saturday or Sunday is possible.
GALES with gusts to 110 kilometres per hour may develop in coastal areas between Elcho Island and Cape Shield, including Nhulunbuy, during today if the system takes a slightly more southerly track than forecast.
GALES with gusts to 110 kilometres per hour may develop in coastal areas between Thursday Island and Pormpuraaw, including Weipa, tonight. Gales may extend south between Pormpuraaw and the NT/Qld Border, including Mornington Island, on Saturday.
DESTRUCTIVE WINDS with gusts to 150 kilometres per hour may develop in coastal areas between Thursday Island and Pormpuraaw, including Weipa, early Saturday if the Tropical Cyclone takes a more easterly track than forecast. VERY DESTRUCTIVE winds with gusts greater than 170 kilometres per hour may develop between Mapoon and Pormpuraaw, including Weipa later on Saturday.
HEAVY RAINFALL is forecast about Torres Strait and Cape York Peninsula in the coming days and may extend to the Gulf Country of Queensland late Saturday and into Sunday, depending on the track of the Tropical Cyclone. Heavy rainfall could potentially lead to flash flooding in some areas.
As the system moves closer to the eastern Gulf of Carpentaria coast, abnormally high tides may develop in areas between Torres Strait and Karumba. Large waves will become possible about foreshore areas.
NTES advises communities between Elcho Island and Cape Shield, including Nhulunbuy:
– 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
– Stay away from beaches and immediate coastal areas as dangerous coastal flooding may occur
People between Thursday Island and Pormpuraaw, including Weipa, should take precautions and listen to the next advice at 2:30 pm.
People between Pormpuraaw and the NT/Qld Border should consider what action they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases, and listen to the next advice at 2:30 pm.
– Information is available from your local government
– For cyclone preparedness and safety advice, visit Queensland’s Disaster Management Services website (www.disaster.qld.gov.au)
– For emergency assistance call the state emergency service on 132 500 (for assistance with storm damage, rising flood water, fallen trees on buildings or roof damage).
Further advice on cyclone emergencies is available at www.securent.nt.gov.au
Please ensure that friends, family and neighbours have heard and understood this message, particularly new arrivals to the area.
The next advice will be issued by 2:00 pm ACST Friday 23 March [2:30 pm AEST Friday 23 March].
This advice is available on telephone NT-1300 659 211 and QLD-1300 659 212
A map showing the track of the cyclone is available at: http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Northern Territory
Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre
Media: The Standard Emergency Warning Signal should NOT be used with this warning.
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING
Issued at 7:56 am ACST [8:26 am AEST] on Friday 23 March 2018
Tropical Cyclone Nora, located off the NT northeast coast, is slowly moving east and intensifying.
Elcho Island to Cape Shield, including Nhulunbuy and Pormpuraaw to Thursday Island, including Weipa.
NT/Qld Border to Pormpuraaw.
None.
Intensity: Category 1, sustained winds near the centre of 85 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 120 kilometres per hour.
Location: within 55 kilometres of 9.9 degrees South 136.8 degrees East, estimated to be 255 kilometres north of Nhulunbuy and 630 kilometres west northwest of Weipa.
Movement: east at 4 kilometres per hour.
The cyclone is expected to undergo rapid intensification as it turns southeast today heading towards the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Tropical Cyclone Nora is currently moving slowly eastwards but will begin a more southeasterly path during today and Saturday into the Gulf of Carpentaria. The system is expected to reach Category 2 today and reach Category 3 early Saturday. By Sunday, the Tropical Cyclone will most likely be located over the southern Gulf of Carpentaria. A coastal crossing anywhere along the western Cape York Peninsula south of Weipa during Saturday or Sunday is possible.
GALES with gusts to 110 kilometres per hour may develop in coastal areas between Elcho Island and Cape Shield, including Nhulunbuy, during today if the system takes a slightly more southerly track than forecast.
GALES with gusts to 110 kilometres per hour may develop in coastal areas between Thursday Island and Pormpuraaw, including Weipa, tonight. Gales may extend south between Pormpuraaw and the NT/Qld Border, including Mornington Island, on Saturday.
DESTRUCTIVE WINDS with gusts to 150 kilometres per hour may develop in coastal areas between Thursday Island and Pormpuraaw, including Weipa, early Saturday if the Tropical Cyclone takes a more easterly track than forecast. VERY DESTRUCTIVE winds with gusts greater than 170 kilometres per hour may develop between Mapoon and Pormpuraaw, including Weipa later on Saturday.
HEAVY RAINFALL is forecast about Torres Strait and Cape York Peninsula in the coming days and may extend to the Gulf Country of Queensland late Saturday and into Sunday, depending on the track of the Tropical Cyclone. Heavy rainfall could potentially lead to flash flooding in some areas.
As the system moves closer to the eastern Gulf of Carpentaria coast, abnormally high tides may develop in areas between Torres Strait and Karumba. Large waves will become possible about foreshore areas.
NTES advises communities between Elcho Island and Cape Shield, including Nhulunbuy:
– 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
– Stay away from beaches and immediate coastal areas as dangerous coastal flooding may occur
People between Thursday Island and Pormpuraaw, including Weipa, should take precautions and listen to the next advice at 11:30 am.
People between Pormpuraaw and the NT/Qld Border should consider what action they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases, and listen to the next advice at 11:30 am.
– Information is available from your local government
– For cyclone preparedness and safety advice, visit Queensland’s Disaster Management Services website (www.disaster.qld.gov.au)
– For emergency assistance call the state emergency service on 132 500 (for assistance with storm damage, rising flood water, fallen trees on buildings or roof damage).
Further advice on cyclone emergencies is available at www.securent.nt.gov.au
Please ensure that friends, family and neighbours have heard and understood this message, particularly new arrivals to the area.
The next advice will be issued by 11:00 am ACST Friday 23 March [11:30 am AEST Friday 23 March].
This advice is available on telephone NT-1300 659 211 and QLD-1300 659 212
A map showing the track of the cyclone is available at: http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone