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Cyclone Nathan hits Northern Territory as gale-force winds lash Arnhem Land coast Cyclone Nathan hits Northern Territory as gale-force winds lash Arnhem Land coast
(about 2 hours later)
Tropical cyclone Nathan has made landfall in the Northern Territory as gale-force winds lash the Arnhem Land coast. Tropical cyclone Nathan has made landfall in the Northern Territory as gale-force winds lash the northeast Arnhem Land coast.
The cyclone, which has intensified to a “high end” category two, has started moving off the coast and on to land south of Nhulunbuy. The cyclone, which has intensified to a “high end” category two, has moved off the coast and the “destructive core” crossed land between Nhulunbuy and and Cape Shield, with gale-force winds of up to 155km/h.
Gale-force winds of up to 155km/h are expected to smash through Goulburn Island to Groote Eylandt, including Nhulunbuy and Gapuwiyak. “Destructive winds will extend west to Gapuwiyak later this morning and possibly to Elcho Island depending on how quickly the cyclone weakens after landfall,” said Bureau of Meteorology advice.
Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Adam Morgan says the cyclone’s eye is about 20km offshore. Nathan is moving north-west at about 15km/h, and is predicted to hit Elcho Island, which was severely damaged by cyclone Lam less than one month ago.
Coastal residents between Groote Eylandt and Nhulunbuy have been warned of a dangerous storm tide with damaging waves and dangerous flooding. Coastal residents between Groote Eylandt and Nhulunbuy have been warned of a dangerous storm tide significantly higher than usual, with damaging waves and dangerous flooding, and are advised to take shelter now.
Nathan is expected to head back out to sea on Sunday night, making a last stop at Elcho Island, which was severely damaged by cyclone Lam in late February. Communities from Cape Don to the Goulburn Islands – where the community of Warruwi was evacuated for Cyclone Lam – are on cyclone watch.
The ABC reports trees are down at Wallaby Beach, Nhulunbuy, and winds and seas whipped up by the storm have caused some boats to break mooring, and crash into each other.
Residents from Milingimbi to Goulburn Island, including Maningrida and Milingimbi, have been advised to make their final preparations to homes and shelters or decide which public emergency shelter they will use should that advice come through.
Nathan is expected to head back out to sea on Sunday night, making a last stop at Elcho Island as it tracks along the Top End coastline.
More than 200 residents on Elcho Island who were made homeless by cyclone Lam and had been living in emergency tents were moved to Shepherdson College on Saturday. The tent city on the Galiwin’ku football oval was dismantled and packed up in preparation for the storm’s arrival.
Emergency services said on Friday the decision had been made because of the danger posed by flying debris in the predicted strong winds.
The displaced groups were expected to be living in the tents for up to eight weeks and authorities won’t know until Cyclone Nathan has passed whether damage caused is likely to extend that.
It’s then expected to weaken as it moves westward parallel to the Top End north coast on Monday.It’s then expected to weaken as it moves westward parallel to the Top End north coast on Monday.
The cyclone has been moving at 14km/h, approaching from the east after crossing the Gulf of Carpentaria from Queensland’s Cape York Peninsula. The cyclone has approached from the east after crossing the Gulf of Carpentaria from Queensland’s Cape York Peninsula where it made landfall as a category four storm but caused minimal damage.