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Cyclone Trevor hits Australia's northern coast, bringing torrential rains | |
(about 13 hours later) | |
A vast cyclone has crashed into Australia's northern coast, bringing torrential rains and winds of up to 250km/h (155 mph). | |
Cyclone Trevor made landfall as a category four storm and officials have declared a state of emergency in some areas. | |
Another storm, Cyclone Veronica, is set to strike the country's west coast. | |
Thousands of Australians have evacuated their homes in preparation for the two potentially devastating cyclones. | |
Destructive winds are expected, while heavy rains and large waves threaten to cause severe flooding. | Destructive winds are expected, while heavy rains and large waves threaten to cause severe flooding. |
It is only the second time in history that two cyclones are predicted to strike the country at the same time. | It is only the second time in history that two cyclones are predicted to strike the country at the same time. |
Tropical Cyclone Trevor hit the communities of Numbulwa and Borroloola in the Northern Territory on Saturday morning. | |
It was downgraded to a category three shortly after making landfall but officials have warned that it is still dangerous. | |
"There's a concern that flash flooding may occur," emergency operations official Michael Hebb told AFP news agency. | |
The storm could bring a year's worth of rain in just a couple of days. | The storm could bring a year's worth of rain in just a couple of days. |
In the biggest ever evacuation ahead of a cyclone, people living in its the path have moved into tented sites in Darwin and Katherine. | In the biggest ever evacuation ahead of a cyclone, people living in its the path have moved into tented sites in Darwin and Katherine. |
Some of those who were evacuated say they are worried about what they will return to. | |
"We are only new to the area and the house we are in isn't going to sustain the expected winds that are predicted," Emily Crawford, who evacuated to Darwin, told AFP. | |
Emergency services and the military were called in to rescue residents from the island of Groote Eylandt, off the north coast on Thursday. | Emergency services and the military were called in to rescue residents from the island of Groote Eylandt, off the north coast on Thursday. |
The last evacuation of a similar scale was for Tropical Cyclone Tracy, which killed 49 people in Darwin in 1974. | The last evacuation of a similar scale was for Tropical Cyclone Tracy, which killed 49 people in Darwin in 1974. |
'Massive weather event' | 'Massive weather event' |
Cyclone Veronica is due to hit the northwest coast of Australia between Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. | Cyclone Veronica is due to hit the northwest coast of Australia between Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. |
Very strong gusts are expected and the Bureau of Meteorology in Western Australia said a "severe impact" is likely. | Very strong gusts are expected and the Bureau of Meteorology in Western Australia said a "severe impact" is likely. |
In the mining town of Port Headland, where the storm is set to strike first, supermarkets have been stripped bare as residents stockpile in preparation, ABC News reported. | In the mining town of Port Headland, where the storm is set to strike first, supermarkets have been stripped bare as residents stockpile in preparation, ABC News reported. |
The town's mayor, Camilo Blanco, has warned residents to be ready for "this massive weather event" and people have been protecting their houses with sandbags. | The town's mayor, Camilo Blanco, has warned residents to be ready for "this massive weather event" and people have been protecting their houses with sandbags. |
"Tie down your stuff in your yard, go next door and make sure that your neighbours are ready," Mr Blanco said. | "Tie down your stuff in your yard, go next door and make sure that your neighbours are ready," Mr Blanco said. |