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A region already struggling with severe flooding is now on high alert as a powerful cyclone threatens to wreak havoc in northern Australia.
Tropical Cyclone Narelle has formed in the Coral Sea and is heading towards far-north Queensland, marking the third weather system to lash the rain-soaked area in just two months.
The cyclone is anticipated to strike the coastline north of Cairns by Friday, bringing with it fierce winds, torrential rain, and the potential for severe flooding.
As of early Wednesday, Narelle was classified as a category-two cyclone, situated approximately 1000 kilometers east of Cooktown, with sustained winds at its core reaching 110 km/h and gusts topping 155 km/h.
Forecasts suggest Cyclone Narelle could strengthen to a category-four storm as it approaches land, potentially unleashing wind gusts exceeding 200 km/h, which could cause extensive damage to structures.
It would mark the first category-four system to hit Queensland since Cyclone Debbie in 2017, which devastated the Whitsunday Islands and caused billions of dollars in damage.
Queensland is still reeling from flooding caused by back-to-back storm systems.
A tropical low caused record-breaking rainfall across the state’s north and west in February.
Another low crossed the far north coast earlier in March, dumping more heavy rain on the region.
Cyclone Narelle is forecast to move west from Queensland and cross the Gulf of Carpentaria before hitting eastern parts of the Northern Territory, potentially bringing more rain to already swamped Top End communities.
It may then make a rare, third border crossing into Western Australia’s north.
A cyclone watch zone is in place from Lockhart River on the Cape York Peninsula south to Port Douglas and adjacent inland areas in Queensland.
Gales with damaging wind gusts up to 120 km/h are possible between Cape Melville and Port Douglas from early Thursday.
Destructive wind gusts up to 155 km/h are possible between Coen and Cooktown north of Cairns from Thursday night.
Heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding is possible between Cape Melville and Port Douglas from Thursday evening, extending inland during Friday.
Tides will be higher than normal between Coen and Port Douglas, the Bureau of Meteorology said, with large waves causing dangerous flooding in low-lying coastal areas.
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