Region spared major damage
CYCLONE Nora has left communities in western Cape York bruised, but not broken.
No one was reported seriously hurt after the Category 3 storm crossed the Far Northern coast, north of Pormpuraaw at 11.25pm on Saturday.
While Pormpuraaw, Kowanyama and Aurukun felt the brunt of the severe storm, Emergency Services and Fire Minister Craig Crawford said the communities were faring well.
“Our crews have completed approximately 90 assessments for damage so far ( yesterday) and will continue to conduct these to gain a full understanding of the situation and what we can do to assist with recovery,” he said.
“So far, damage to buildings has been mostly minor.”
About 260 residents lost electricity due to fallen powerlines, most living in Pormpuraaw, about 670km northwest of Cairns. An Ergon Energy spokeswoman said multiple aircraft, including two heavylift helicopters, were yesterday on standby to transport equipment and crews to the community as soon as the weather cleared, and it was safe to fly and land.
“Our crews are ready to hit the ground running and will work as quickly and safely as they can to restore power,” she said.
McDermott Aviation Group pilot Hamish Robertson said the Bell 214B heavylift helicopters could lift up to three tonnes and they are working alongside Ergon Energy to deploy generators and fuel if required.
Barbara Camp, a guesthouse supervisor at Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Shire Council, described the cyclone as a scary experience as its gusts blew through the town late Saturday night.
“The noise of the wind is the worst,” she said. “I’ve often heard it said to sound like a train, and it did just that ( Saturday) night.
“With it happening so late at night, I think it made it worse.”
She said the communication tower had fallen across the roof of the council office, and the building’s carport had been pushed over.
“I’ve been told a couple of houses were damaged, but nobody hurt, thank God,” she said.
Liam Hartley and his colleagues filmed the corrugated iron shed in the yard of the Pormpuraaw home where they were sheltering, being torn to pieces by the cyclone.
The Mareeba- based contractor said when the storm passed, most of the damage in the town appeared to be vegetation that had been uprooted.
He said the storm did not appear to be as powerful as Cyclone Larry ( March, 2006) or Cyclone Yasi ( February, 2011).