Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 10:18 pm ACST [10:48 pm AEST] on Saturday 16 March 2024
Headline:

Tropical Cyclone Megan strengthening in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Areas Affected:
Warning Zone

Alyangula (Groote Eylandt) in NT to Mornington Island in Qld, including Borroloola but not including Ngukurr or Mornington Island.
Watch Zone

Mornington Island in Qld as well as adjacent parts of the Carpentaria District inland to Robinson River in NT.
Cancelled Zone

None.
Details of Tropical Cyclone Megan at 9:30 pm ACST [10:00 pm AEST]:

Intensity: Category 2, sustained winds near the centre of 95 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 130 kilometres per hour.

Location: within 30 kilometres of 14.3 degrees South 137.7 degrees East, estimated to be 145 kilometres east southeast of Alyangula and 250 kilometres northeast of Borroloola.

Movement: slow moving.

Tropical Cyclone Megan is to the east of Groote Eylandt and has intensified to category 2 this evening. Megan is currently moving slowly south towards the southern Gulf of Carpentaria coast and is forecast to intensify further to Category 3 by late Sunday. Megan is expected to cross the coast during Monday or early Tuesday morning as a severe tropical cyclone between Nathan River and the Northern Territory/Queensland border.

Once over land, Megan should weaken quickly as it tracks west through the Northern Territory.
Hazards:

Gales with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS of 110 km/h are currently being experienced over eastern Groote Eylandt and are expected to continue into Sunday.

Gales with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS of 100 km/h are expected to develop between Numbulwar in the Northern Territory and Mornington Island in Queensland, including Borroloola, during Sunday morning. Gales may extend inland to Robinson River overnight Sunday into Monday if the system moves more quickly to the south.

Gales with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS of 100 km/h are possible on Mornington Island itself from early Monday, if the system tracks further east than forecast.

DESTRUCTIVE wind gusts in excess of 125 km/h are likely about the southwestern Gulf of Carpentaria coast, near the system centre, from late Sunday.

The VERY DESTRUCTIVE CORE of Tropical Cyclone Megan with wind gusts up to 200 km/h is expected to cross the coast between Nathan River in the Northern Territory and the Northern Territory/Queensland border during Monday or early Tuesday morning.

INTENSE RAINFALL is possible about Groote Eylandt and coastal parts of the Carpentaria District during the weekend.

HEAVY RAINFALL is occurring over eastern parts of the Top End and will continue over the weekend, with the heaviest falls in coastal and island locations during today before extending further inland on Sunday into the Carpentaria forecast district, as well as into parts of the Gulf Country coast in Queensland.

Coastal residents between Nathan River and the Northern Territory/Queensland border are specifically warned of a DANGEROUS STORM TIDE as the cyclone centre crosses the coast. Tides are likely to rise significantly above the normal high tide, with DAMAGING WAVES and DANGEROUS FLOODING.
Recommended Action:

The Northern Territory Emergency Service advise:

For the communities in the area of the Cyclone Warning:

- Enact your household plan

- Prepare your property now

- Stay informed

- Take extra care on the roads

For the communities in the area of the Cyclone Watch:

- Prepare now

- Stay informed

- Monitor conditions

QFES advises:

People between the Queensland/ Northern Territory border and Mornington Island, not including Mornington Island, should take precautions and listen to the next advice.

People between on Mornington Island should consider what action they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases.

- Information is available from your local government

- For cyclone preparedness and safety advice, visit Queensland's Disaster Management Services website (www.disaster.qld.gov.au)

- For emergency assistance call the Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500 (for assistance with storm damage, rising flood water, fallen trees on buildings or roof damage).

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