Severe tropical cyclone headed for FNQ
Damaging Category 4 cyclone 'Ita' expected tomorrowA cyclone watch has been declared for coastal areas from Cape Tribulation to Cairns, extending up to 300 kilometres inland to areas including Kalinga, Laura, Palmerville, and Chillagoe in Far North Queensland (FNQ).
At 7.00am today (April 10) severe tropical cyclone Ita, Category 3, was estimated to be 555 kilometres east northeast of Lockhart River and 525 kilometres northeast of Cooktown, and moving west southwest at 13 kilometres per hour, and set to intensify into a Cat 4 cyclone. Gales will extend up to 240 kilometres out from the centre and may develop between Cape Grenville and Port Douglas during today (Thursday April 10).
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) says severe tropical cyclone Ita poses a significant threat to communities along the FNQ coast and was expected to approach the coast between Lockhart River and Cape Flattery and make landfall late Friday as a severe Cat 4 tropical cyclone, with very destructive winds near the core and gales extending some distance from the landfall location.
Gales currently extend 220 kilometres out from the centre and may develop between Cape Grenville and Cape Tribulation late tonight or early on Friday.
A spokesman for the BOM said that Ita won’t be as strong as Yasi which hit Queensland three years ago, but it will be the biggest cyclone since that event.
All staff and guests on Lizard Island have been evacuated to the mainland and other areas are preparing to evacuate during today.
The sea is no place to be and may rise steadily up to a level which will be significantly above the normal tide between Cape Grenville and Port Douglas close to landfall on Friday, with damaging waves, strong currents and flooding of low-lying areas possible.
People living in low lying areas, boats and waterfront infrastructure may be affected by this flooding and locals should take measures to protect their property as much as possible and be prepared to follow instructions regarding evacuation of the area if advised to do so by the authorities.
Very heavy rain, which may lead to flash flooding, is expected to develop about the Peninsula and northern parts of the North Tropical Coast and Tablelands districts today and persist into Friday.
People between Cape Grenville and Cape Tribulation should immediately commence or continue preparations, especially securing boats and property and heed the BOM advice at www.bom.gov.au.
- For cyclone preparedness and safety advice, visit Queensland's Disaster Management Services website (www.disaster.qld.gov.au).- For emergency assistance call the Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500 (for assistance with storm damage, rising flood water, fallen trees on buildings or roof damage).
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