Tropical Cyclone Narelle hits far north Queensland as 250km/h winds tear off roofs and fell trees | Tropical Cyclone Narelle

Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle has made landfall in northern Queensland as an “upper-level” category 4 system, posing a serious threat to many remote communities.

The system began losing intensity as it crossed the Cape York peninsula on Friday morning, strengthening into a still-severe Category 3 storm.

In the early morning hours, shelter residents were warned that winds of over 250 km per hour were expected. The system was located approximately 45 kilometers north of the town of Coen at 10 a.m. local time.

Debbie Jackson, who lives on a property 50km north of Coen, told the ABC “roofs disappeared everywhere” as the system collapsed.

“A lot of trees fell. We lost a few roofs. The situation is not very good,” he said, adding that he was sheltering in a shipping container with seven other people until the storm passed.

Narelle made landfall around 7am as a “high-end” Category 4 storm, with sustained winds of 195km/h, just 5km/h short of the Category 5 threshold.

Officials warned of combined threats from strong winds, heavy rain, flooding from already swollen river systems and storm surges in coastal areas as the hurricane approaches high tide.

Sustained winds of 195 km/h were measured at the center of the hurricane, with gusts reaching up to 270 km/h.

The system was heading toward the town of Coen, population about 320, but made a slight shift northward as it approached landfall.

Locals said the town was eerily calm on Thursday, but strong winds began to pick up around 4am.

“You can hear a few things moving around outside right now,” local handyman and pantry owner Sara Watkins said.

“It was very calm until the wind started. It was raining, but it was actually still. This is not like Coen; when it rains, it pours and the wind moves.”

Climate experts said Narelle was likely caused by climate change, with the system moving westward over the Coral Sea, where sea surface temperatures have been at record levels in recent months.

Higher ocean temperatures provide more fuel for cyclones, increasing their intensity.

Scientists say coastal waters will worsen due to rising sea levels and the system may produce more rainfall due to global warming.

Emergency warnings have been issued for Lockhart River, Port Stewart and Coen.

The Bureau of Meteorology said Narelle would weaken as the system made landfall and moved over the western part of Cape York. But he warned that the hurricane would continue to be devastating as it crossed the peninsula.

Sarah Scully, a senior meteorologist at the bureau, said ground monitoring at Cape York was sparse, but satellite observations showed widespread winds “in excess of 200 km/h” near the center of the system as it approached.

Scully warned that as the hurricane approaches, a dangerous ocean storm surge will move inland, inundating beaches and coastal areas.

A Category 4 system could cause “significant structural damage”, with loss of roofs, large and dangerous airborne debris and winds strong enough to blow trailers and caravans over. Rains can cause dangerous and life-threatening flash floods on the peninsula.

The system was expected to cross the peninsula, maintaining hurricane strength, before moving into the Gulf of Carpentaria and making a second landfall in the Top End on Saturday evening.

Scully said this would threaten already flooded communities in the Top End with heavier downpours.