CYCLONE TREVOR DANGER HOVERING Fear system will regain intensity as Category 4
COMMUNITIES across Cape York are preparing for the potential of more severe weather despite having already felt the full force of Tropical Cyclone Trevor.
The Bureau of Meteorology has advised that the cyclone lies offshore of Weipa as a Category 1 system.
Meteorologist Lauren Patti said from today, conditions would start to ease in the north as Trevor moves further into the Gulf.
Strong wind gales may also further extend south to Kowanyama on Western Cape York Peninsula coast today as the cyclone intensifies.
Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford urged people not to be complacent, with cyclones in the region known for often being unpredictable.
“Predictions are that (TC Trevor) will rapidly reintensify potentially to a Category 4 system as it moves across the Gulf and with a potential impact right in that bottom corner of the Northern Territory border,” he said.
“However … cyclones in the Gulf can do some erratic things so we’ll be watching this one very closely to ensure that it doesn’t stall, that it doesn’t change direction.”
Mr Crawford said while communities were fortunate to sustain “very minimal destruction”, clean-up efforts were under way in Lockhart River and other parts of Cape York.
“There was lots of reports of … sheets of iron and trees down and power out, but all of those important community assets and residents held tight … similar reports at Coen,” he said.
Damage assessments will also be carried out in Weipa and Aurukun.
Cairns resident Carly Grossek had been in lockdown in Weipa since Tuesday after flying in for work.
“We’ve been in lockdown since about 5pm Tuesday,” she said. “(Thursday) night I could hardly sleep because it was so windy and loud.
“Trees are down across the roads, all the shops are shut, schools, everything’s completely closed down.
“There’s only the Naprum community, which has got the shops open but you can’t get there at the moment because of all the trees down on the road.”
Flooding as a result of heavy rainfall has closed several major roads, including Peninsula Developmental Rd and Burke Developmental Rd. No major damage to the road has been reported at this stage.
Cornetts IGA Cooktown store manager Paul Scott said he was hopeful water would start to recede so that food supply trucks would be able to get through today.
“It should be back to normal (today), we’ll have plenty of trucks on the road,” he said.
“We’re running a bit light on bread, but they’ll be here (today) and apart from that we’re good to go.”
Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation area manager Paul Abbenbroek said there would be plenty of supplies available at the Aurukun Supermarket.
“There’s … plenty of food and water available for when we reopen,” he said. “We’re liaising with the police and with the shire council to know when we can open back up.”