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Cyclone Narelle Makes Category 4 Landfall in Far North Queensland, Moves West

Forecasters say the slow-moving system could re-strengthen this weekend, elevating a severe flood risk for the Northern Territory.

Overview

  • - The cyclone came ashore between Lockhart River and Coen on the Cape York Peninsula after peaking over water as a Category 5 system.
  • - Gusts near landfall were reported up to about 270 km/h, with earlier sustained winds around 205 km/h and peak gusts near 285–300 km/h at sea.
  • - Initial impacts include downed trees, damaged roofs, power outages, flooded roads, and coastal erosion that stripped sections of beaches around Cairns.
  • - Authorities closed schools, bolstered emergency crews, urged evacuations in high‑risk zones, and conducted door‑to‑door warnings, with a field hospital being set up in Katherine.
  • - Officials report no confirmed deaths to date, as the storm weakens over Queensland and heads toward the Northern Territory where Category 3–4 strength and severe flooding remain possible.