‘It doesn’t get more powerful’: huge cyclone closes in
A chilling warning has been issued to a remote region bracing for the biggest hurricane in more than a century.
“This is an extremely strong weather system,” said Angus Hines of the Bureau of Meteorology, as Tropical Cyclone Narelle draws closer.
“They can’t be stronger than this.”
Narelle is set to cross Queensland’s far north as a maximum category five system, producing winds of up to 285km/h, concentrating in the Coral Sea.
The monster storm is expected to make landfall near the remote community of Coen, north of Cairns, around 10am on Friday, triggering downpours and gusty winds that could “shatter shacks”.
This will be the first category five system to hit Cape York since Hurricane Mahina killed more than 300 people in March 1899.
Once the system makes landfall, winds strong enough to destroy infrastructure, uproot trees and knock down power lines are expected to occur at speeds exceeding 250 km per hour.
A tornado warning area has been declared extending from the Lockhart River south to Cape Tribulation.
Vulnerable residents were evacuated, tourists returned home and schools were closed.
More than 100 emergency service personnel were deployed as police went door to door to ensure local people were prepared.
After passing Cape York, the storm is expected to affect the Upper Northern Territory before moving onto Western Australia’s Kimberley coast.
Nearly 500 people will be evacuated from the remote Numbulwar community in the NT’s Gulf of Carpentaria in the coming days.
Residents who chose to ride out the storm were warned that emergency services would not respond if conditions were too dangerous.
However, some far north Queensland residents think it’s OK because they drink beer.
“Everyone’s opinion is that you can’t really do anything during a hurricane, so let’s have a beer,” Tim Layton, from Greenhoose family-run accommodation near the Lockhart River, told AAP.
“Let’s make this a whirlwind party because it’s going to be one hell of a cleanup.”
His family is no stranger to storms; Every rainy season the roads are flooded and the only way in and out is by plane or barge.
“We are all defeated,” Mr. Layton said.
“Generators ready, fingers crossed and hoping for the best—the calm before the storm, right?”
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