TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 23
Issued at 8:30 pm AEST [8:00 pm ACST] on Saturday 24 March 2018
Headline:
The destructive core of Severe Tropical Cyclone Nora is beginning to impact the western coast of Cape York Peninsula.
Areas Affected:
Warning Zone
Karumba to Weipa.
Watch Zone
NT/Qld Border to Karumba, including Mornington Island.
Cancelled Zone
None.
Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Nora at 7:00 pm AEST [6:30 pm ACST]:
Intensity: Category 3, sustained winds near the centre of 120 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 165 kilometres per hour.
Location: within 20 kilometres of 13.9 degrees South 141.2 degrees East, estimated to be 25 kilometres west of Cape Keerweer and 185 kilometres north northwest of Kowanyama.
Movement: southeast at 21 kilometres per hour.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Nora has started weaken as it nears land on the western side of the Cape York Peninsula, although it remains a Category 3 system. The eye wall of Severe Tropical Cyclone Nora is currently impacting the coast near Cape Keerweer. the system has begun to track more towards the south southeast in the last few hours, moving more parallel to the coast. A coastal crossing between Cape Keerweer and Gilbert River Mouth is predicted overnight tonight or during Sunday.
From later Sunday, the Tropical Cyclone is expected to become slow moving over land around the southeastern Gulf of Carpentaria.
There is a slight risk that the cyclone takes a more southerly track than depicted and tracks parallel to the coast, remaining over water in the southeastern Gulf of Carpentaria into early next week. In this scenario, the cyclone is still expected to weaken, although more slowly than if it crosses the Cape York Peninsula coast this weekend.
Hazards:
GALES with gusts to 120 kilometres per hour may develop in coastal areas between Weipa and Kowanyama this evening. Gales may extend south between Kowanyama and Gilbert River Mouth, including adjacent inland parts later tonight, and between Gilbert River Mouth and Karumba during Sunday morning. Gales may extend further south to between Karumba and the NT/Qld border, including Mornington Island later on Sunday or Monday.
DESTRUCTIVE WINDS with gusts to 160 kilometres per hour may develop in coastal areas between Weipa and Kowanyama this evening. Destructive winds may extend south between Kowanyama and Gilbert River Mouth later Saturday night or early Sunday. Destructive winds may also extend south between Gilbert River Mouth and Karumba during Sunday.
VERY DESTRUCTIVE winds with gusts to 190 kilometres per hour may develop between Aurukun and Kowanyama, this evening or overnight, as the core of the cyclone nears the coast. If the cyclone tracks more southerly and remains over water on Sunday, maintaining its intensity, very destructive winds may extend south between Kowanyama and Karumba during Sunday.
HEAVY RAINFALL is forecast about Torres Strait and Cape York Peninsula and extending to the Gulf Country of Queensland during Sunday, depending on the track of the Tropical Cyclone. Heavy rainfall could potentially lead to flash flooding in some areas.
Coastal residents between Weipa and Gilbert River Mouth are specifically warned of the dangerous storm tide as the cyclone crosses the coast. The sea is likely to rise steadily up to a level well above the normal tide, with damaging waves and flooding of some low-lying areas close to the shoreline. People living in areas likely to be affected by this flooding should take measures to protect their property as much as possible and be prepared to follow instructions regarding evacuation of the area if advised to do so by the authorities.
Recommended Action:
People between Weipa and the Gilbert River Mouth should complete preparations quickly and be prepared to shelter in a safe place. Boats and outside property should be secured using available daylight hours.
- For cyclone preparedness and safety advice, visit Queensland's Disaster Management Services website (
www.disaster.qld.gov.au)
- For emergency assistance call the Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500 (for assistance with storm damage, rising flood water, fallen trees on buildings or roof damage).
People between the Gilbert River Mouth and Karumba should immediately commence or continue preparations, especially securing boats and property using available daylight hours.
- For cyclone preparedness and safety advice, visit Queensland's Disaster Management Services website (
www.disaster.qld.gov.au)
- For emergency assistance call the Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500 (for assistance with storm damage, rising flood water, fallen trees on buildings or roof damage).
People between Karumba and the NT/Qld border, including Mornington Island, should consider what action they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases.
- 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 Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500 (for assistance with storm damage, rising flood water, fallen trees on buildings or roof damage).
Next Advice:
The next advice will be issued by 11:30 pm AEST Saturday 24 March [11:00 pm ACST Saturday 24 March].
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