NORA FLEXES MUSCLES
Far North prepares for rain as Cape braces for cyclone to hit
CAPE York communities are in the midst of cyclone preparations while the Cairns region is expecting falls of up to 90mm as Nora keeps weather watchers on their toes.
The system is gaining in strength and should turn east into the Gulf of Carpentaria today with gale force winds to batter Weipa, Mapoon, Aurukun, Cape Keerweer and Karumba over the next 48 hours. Swift-water boat rescue crews and emergency managers have been sent to the Gulf.
CAIRNS can expect up to 90mm of rain and flash flooding as Cyclone Nora gathers strength towards the Gulf of Carpentaria.
The forecast by the Bureau of Meteorology comes as Cape York towns prepare for the worst.
The system is expected to turn east into the Gulf today with gale force winds over the next 48 hours likely to affect Weipa, Mapoon, Aurukun, Cape Keerweer and Karumba.
Destructive winds may extend to Pormpuraaw, Kowanyama and Gilbert River Mouth.
The bureau expects the system to turn southeast and has issued warnings for communities from Thursday Island to Pormpuraaw.
“It is likely to get to a Category 2 and may be a Category 3 by Saturday morning,” BOM meteorologist Livio Regano said.
Gales with wind gusts up to 110km/h may develop in coastal areas between Thursday Island and Pormpuraaw, including Weipa, tonight.
Gales may affect the areas between Pormpuraaw and the NT/Queensland border.
Swift boat rescue crews and emergency management coordinators from Queensland Fire and Rescue have been deployed to Gulf communities.
“Now is the time to start looking and implementing cyclone preparedness plans,” Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford said.
“Start thinking about if you have enough food for three or four days, whether you have enough medication for a week, whether you have enough fuel and what your plans will be if you have to evacuate.”
“This is cyclone season and it is not uncommon to have cyclones in the Gulf.”
He said cyclones in the Gulf were unreliable and could change tack at short notice.
“They could stay in the Gulf of Carpentaria, they could move back into the Northern Territory, they could cross and head into the Coral Sea,” he said.
Several Cape York communities are considered vulnerable than others if the cyclone makes landfall.
“We don’t want to alarm people by naming communities at risk,” Mr Crawford said.
However, he did single out Burketown and Doomadgee as flood prone.
“We could have water landing on saturated soil,” he said.
“A concern there would be for flash flooding.”
The Gulf towns of Weipa and Mapoon have stockpiled food and fuel this week.
Weipa SES co-ordinator Trevor Snodgrass said preparations were under way.
“We have plenty of tarps and sandbags,” he said.
Mr Snodgrass said there remained the danger of people trying to drive out of Weipa on flooded roads.
“Stay at home and be safe,” he said. “You are not going to get anywhere anyway.”
Qantas has cancelled three return services to Weipa and Horn Island.