Ex-Cyclone Narelle lashes Northern Territory with heavy rain, flooding risk and damaging winds

Tropical Cyclone Narelle has been downgraded to a tropical low after crossing the eastern Top End as a severe system, but is continuing to bring heavy rain, damaging winds and a risk of flooding across the Northern Territory.

Just weeks after parts of the NT suffered through the worst flooding in three decades, locals are again facing severe weather impacts as the system tracks west across the Top End.

The Bureau of Meteorology said Tropical Cyclone Narelle crossed the eastern coast of the Top End in the early hours of Sunday morning as a Severe Category 3 system before weakening.

“It has since been downgraded back to a tropical low, but as it moves towards the west, continues to bring heavy rain, damaging wind and flooding risk to communities right across the Top End,” Bureau meteorologist Jonathan How said.

As of Sunday morning, the system had weakened after crossing near Cape Shield, with the Bureau confirming it is now an ex-tropical cyclone moving inland.

However, authorities warn the system remains dangerous despite its downgrade.

“It is still drawing a lot of tropical moisture down from the north, with heavy rain as well as strong and damaging winds wrapping into the centre of the system itself,” Mr How said.

He said overnight rainfall totals exceeded 100mm in some areas, with wind gusts above 90km/h recorded, although stronger winds likely occurred near the cyclone’s centre.

A Severe Weather Warning remains in place for heavy rainfall and damaging winds across large parts of the Top End, including areas from the east towards Katherine and the western coast, as well as Darwin.

“This extends from eastern parts of the Top End through Katherine and towards the west coast, and also takes in the Darwin area.”

The Bureau said rainfall totals could reach up to 230mm in 24 hours, with higher isolated falls expected north of Katherine.

Flood warnings

“We are expecting to see the Katherine and Waterhouse rivers return to major flooding, and for the Daly River that is already in major flood, we are expecting to see that major flood peak maintained for quite some time,” Mr How said.

Gale force winds and abnormally high tides are also affecting coastal areas of the Gulf, with conditions expected to ease gradually from Sunday night into Monday.

A Tropical Cyclone Warning has been cancelled for the Top End following the system’s downgrade, however a new warning has been issued for parts of Western Australia.

“We have issued a new Tropical Cyclone Warning, and that includes the northern parts of the Kimberley coast in Western Australia as the low tracks towards the west.”

Boil water

Some communities have been urged to boil water before consumption.

The NT Health alert asked those in Umbakumba, Angurugu, Milyakburra, Yirrkala and Numbulwar to use cooled boiled water or bottled water for drinking, preparing food, preparing baby formula and brushing teeth.

About 500 Numbulwar residents were also anticipated to be evacuated and flown to Darwin earlier on Saturday.

NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole told ABC’s 7.30 the Top End was “absolutely saturated” but the community was “well-prepared” for predictions that the Katherine catchment may be hit hard by rain.

The weather system is expected to weaken over Sunday and into Monday as it moves inland across the Top End, the Bureau of Meteorology warned.

“During Monday, a weakened Narelle is expected to move over the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf and gales are forecast to redevelop to the north of the centre,” the Bureau said.

“There is a moderate chance that Narelle redevelops into a tropical cyclone while in the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf.”

BOM warning to communities

The Bureau said there is a low chance of re-intensification in the short term.

“It really only has a low chance of becoming a tropical cyclone over open water, but we are still expecting to see gale force winds within this warning area on Monday,” Mr How said.

Flood watches remain in place across northern Australia, including into parts of Western Australia, as the system continues its westward track.

More to come