Northern Territory’s Top End left ‘absolutely saturated’ as Tropical Cyclone Narelle approaches coast

The Northern Territory’s Top End has been left “absolutely saturated” by the “severe” Tropical Cyclone Narelle as the system approaches the coast.

The category 3 system, which crossed the Queensland coast on Friday as a powerful category 4 cyclone, is expected to cross the eastern Top End coast overnight on Saturday between Birany Birany and Numbulwar before tracking across the Top End as a tropical low on Sunday into Monday.

“Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle is now beginning to impact coastal areas of the northeastern Northern Territory,” the Bureau of Meteorology said on Saturday evening.

NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole told ABC’s 7.30 the Top End was “absolutely saturated”.

“All of the catchments are full, run-off is going to be swift, rivers are going to react and rise very quickly,” Mr Dole told the program.

He said the community is “well-prepared” following predictions the Katherine Catchment may be hit hard by rainfall.

“What I can say is we’re well-prepared for that,” he said.

“We’ve pre-deployed resources to Katherine.”

Boil water alert, evacuations

A boil water alert was issued by NT Health for those in Umbakumba, Angurugu, Milyakburra, Yirrkala and Numbulwar on Saturday evening.

Residents have been urged to use cooled boiled water or bottled water for drinking, preparing food, preparing baby formula and brushing teeth.

About 500 Numbulwar residents were expected to be evacuated and flown to Darwin earlier on Saturday, NT Health said.

A warning zone was issued for Nhulunbuy to Port Roper including Groote Eylandt, Numbulwar, Alyangula, Bulman, Ngukurr and Umbakumba on Saturday evening.

The King George River Mouth to the WA/NT border was under a watch zone as of Saturday night.

‘Very destructive winds’ anticipated

“Very destructive winds” with gusts of up to 185km/h are expected to form in coastal areas between Birany Birany and Numbulwar on Saturday night and into Sunday.

Heavy rain that could lead to flash flooding may develop along coastal and adjacent inland areas over the eastern Top End, the Bureau said.

Those between Gapuwiyak and Numbulwar, including Groote Eylandt and Nhulunbuy were earlier urged to stay inside until the cyclone has passed, while those between Nhulunbuy and the Nathan River have been encouraged to commence or continue preparations immediately.

Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Jonathon How earlier said the cyclone is expected to “rapidly weaken” over land and downgrade to a tropical low on Sunday, though heavy rainfall and damaging winds will likely continue.

Katherine is at particular risk of intense rainfall, he said.

“With those very strong to destructive winds, we can expect to see significant damage to property, businesses or any loose items or structures in the area,” Mr How said.

“Those winds could cause extensive damage to vegetation and crops right across the top end with further heavy rainfall.”Roads may also be closed, with some areas risking “isolation”.

Mr How urged people to prepare themselves and follow the advice of local emergency services.

Soaked city preparing for more damage

Communities on Groote Eylandt and Borroloola, are being prepared to shelter in place while 342 people have been evacuated in Numbulwar to Darwin with the help of the ADF.

In East Arnhem Land, about 100 people have been evacuated from Aboriginal homelands.

More residents from Rurrangala, Baniyala, Balma and Gangan are also sheltering within the safe accommodation in Nhulunbuy.

Mr Hines noted that heavy rainfall is predicted for communities who have been dealing with major flooding in recent weeks for including around Katherine and the Katherine river, Beswick and the Waterhouse River, and the communities of Daly River and Nauiyu.

Power and Water Co-operation (PWC) noted that “control measures” and “safeguards” will be placed at the Darwin River Dam as flooding caused damaged to the dam’s pumping equipment last Monday.

In a statement on Friday afternoon, PWC said the dam was sitting at 101 per cent capacity.

What's to come

During the past 48 hours to 6am on Saturday morning, the heaviest rain was through central parts across the peninsula.

Full Creek on the Pascoe River recorded 422mm of rainfall, 408mm of rainfall was received by Portland Road on Wenlock River, and 283mm at Weipa on the west coast of the peninsula.

According to the Bureau, the conditions for Queensland are easing as the system moves off the west coast of the peninsula.

“Initial report indicates the damage caused was not as bad as it could have been,” the minister for emergency management Kristy McBain said.

“We know this will be a tough weekend for communities in the Northern Territory who have been battling severe flooding since early February.”

Over the weekend, NT is anticipating destructive winds up to 195km/h at the core and damaging winds across a large areas along with widespread falls of 100 to 200mm.

The winds are expected to gradually ease during the day on Sunday, while rain is expected to be widespread and extensive.

Majority of the severe weather is expected to be cleared by Monday leading into Tuesday as the tropical system continues to move westward.

But Saturday will still see showers and storms continue in the tropical north.

Heavy rain was also possible throughout the southern and central coastal parts of Queensland, as well as the southern interior.

Brisbane could be hit with storms and showers reaching a top of 28C.

Showers and thunderstorms will extend to NSW and the ACT seeing temperatures drop below average, Sydney will reach a high of 27C with slightly cooler conditions in Canberra.

Victorians will start the weekend with a foggy morning before condition ease in the western and central parts of the state, while thunderstorms hit the north and east.

Melbourne will reach a top of 23C.

Showers will develop over Adelaide, reaching a top of 26C.

Perth will face an increased fire risk as hot continues continue in the west with the city reach a top of 32C.