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Cyclone Narelle weakens after landfall in Far North Queensland
Tropical Cyclone Narelle, initially feared to be one of Australia's most destructive storms in recent memory, has weakened from a category four to a category three system after crossing the Cape York Peninsula, authorities confirmed.
The Bureau of Meteorology reported that the cyclone made landfall with wind gusts reaching 220 km/h (137 mph), but no serious injuries or major infrastructure damage have been reported so far.
Limited damage but power and communications disrupted
Residents in the small town of Coen, which was expected to bear the brunt of the storm, escaped significant harm, according to local police. However, Debbie Jackson, a resident 50 km north of Coen, told the ABC that roofs had been torn off and trees felled in her area.
"Lots of trees down. We have lost a few roofs. It's not real great. We just have to ride it out."
Debbie Jackson, resident near Coen
Thousands of homes remain without power, and telephone networks have failed in parts of western Cape York, including the predominantly Indigenous community of Aurukun.
Flooding concerns grow as heavy rain moves inland
Queensland State Premier David Crisafulli warned that while the worst of the winds may have passed, the system is carrying "a lot of rain" that could trigger severe flooding. Up to 500 mm of rainfall is expected in parts of Far North Queensland, exacerbating already saturated catchments.
"As it moves, it will be hard and fast, and we're dealing with an area where there are already very saturated catchments," Crisafulli said. "As a result, the prospect of flash flooding is real."
State Disaster Coordinator Chris Stream urged residents to remain vigilant, cautioning against complacency as the storm's eye passes over.
Coastal erosion and evacuations ahead of cyclone's next phase
The tourist hub of Port Douglas, located 400 km south of Narelle's landfall, experienced beach erosion despite its distance from the storm's center. In Cairns, further south, some beaches lost sand while others saw unusual buildup due to shifting winds and tides.
As Narelle moves across the Gulf of Carpentaria, meteorologists warn that warm waters could cause the cyclone to regain strength before reaching the Northern Territory on Saturday. Hundreds of residents from the remote community of Numbulwar have already been evacuated to Darwin as a precaution.
In Katherine, where flooding is anticipated, authorities are setting up a field hospital to support local health services.
Indigenous communities brace for impact
Small, predominantly Indigenous communities on Cape York are expected to face the cyclone's effects later on Friday. Premier Crisafulli emphasized the state's commitment to supporting these remote areas, stating, "They are still Queenslanders, and we care about them."
While Narelle has so far proven less destructive than feared, officials continue to monitor its path and the potential for life-threatening floods.
