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Elcho Island battered as cyclone Nathan intensifies Elcho Island battered as cyclone Nathan intensifies
(about 1 hour later)
Elcho Island is undergoing a battering as tropical cyclone Nathan intensifies off the Northern Territory coast. Elcho Island has undergone a battering as tropical cyclone Nathan intensified off the Northern Territory coast.
The Bureau of Meteorology said Nathan was estimated to be about 50km north/north-west of Galiwinku with wind gusts up to 140km/h late on Sunday, and its destructive core of sustained winds of about 120km/h continuing to impact Elcho Island for several hours into Monday. The Bureau of Meteorology said Nathan was estimated to be about 50km north/north-west of Galiwinku with wind gusts up to 140km/h late on Sunday, and its destructive core of sustained winds of about 120km/h continued to affect Elcho Island for several hours into Monday.
Nathan was moving north-west at 12km/h and is set to increase in intensity to a category three level now that it is over open water, as it moves along the coast on Monday, before turning south-west toward land later in the night. Nathan was moving north-west at 12km/h and was set to increase in intensity to a category three level over open water, as it moved along the coast on Monday, before turning south-west towards land later in the night.
Elcho Island was severely damaged by cyclone Law in late February, and a storm tide, with damaging waves and dangerous flooding, was also expected between Elcho Island and Cape Shield.Elcho Island was severely damaged by cyclone Law in late February, and a storm tide, with damaging waves and dangerous flooding, was also expected between Elcho Island and Cape Shield.
Earlier, the bureau said Nathan would remain a category three cyclone into the latter part of Monday, then hopefully weaken to a category one or two system before making landfall again around Tuesday. Earlier, the bureau said Nathan would remain a category three cyclone into the latter part of Monday, then weaken to a category one or two system before making landfall again around Tuesday.
“Gales may extend further west to Milingimbi and Maningrida early on Monday and may extend west to Croker Island overnight Monday or Tuesday morning if the system takes a more westerly track,” the bureau said.“Gales may extend further west to Milingimbi and Maningrida early on Monday and may extend west to Croker Island overnight Monday or Tuesday morning if the system takes a more westerly track,” the bureau said.
“Gales may extend further west to Cape Don and Point Stuart during Tuesday.”“Gales may extend further west to Cape Don and Point Stuart during Tuesday.”
A flood watch was current for northern coastal riversA flood watch was current for northern coastal rivers
The cyclone intensified to a “high end” category two on Sunday, crossing the coast between Nhulunbuy and Cape Shield in the morning.The cyclone intensified to a “high end” category two on Sunday, crossing the coast between Nhulunbuy and Cape Shield in the morning.
Residents from Cape Shield to Alyangula are being told it is now safe to leave shelter areas, but to wear strong clothing and footwear, and be aware of fallen power lines and debris.Residents from Cape Shield to Alyangula are being told it is now safe to leave shelter areas, but to wear strong clothing and footwear, and be aware of fallen power lines and debris.