Tropical Cyclone Narelle poised to hit far north Queensland as ‘high-end’ category four storm

Tropical Cyclone Narelle poised to hit far north Queensland as ‘high-end’ category four storm Authorities warn of strong winds, heavy rain, flooding and coastal storm surge How did global heating fuel Tropical Cyclone Narelle? Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle was poised to make landfall in far north Queensland on Friday morning, likely as a “high-end” category four system but still posing a severe threat to several remote communities. Locals took shelter early in the morning as the winds began to pick up ahead of forecast winds over 250km/h. A tracking map released by the Bureau of Meteorology on Friday morning predicted Narelle would make landfall after 7am AEST, somewhere between Lockhart River and Cape Melville in Cape York. Authorities were warning of combined threats from strong winds, heavy rain, flooding from already-swollen river systems and storm surge in coastal areas, as the cyclone arrives close to a high tide. Sustained winds of 195km/h have been measured at the centre of the cyclone, with gusts up to 270km/h. The system was tracking almost directly towards the town of Coen, which has a population of about 320. Locals said the town had been eerily calm on Thursday, but that heavy winds began to pick up about 4am. “You can hear a couple of things moving around outside now,” said Sara Watkins, owner of the local mechanic and bush pantry. “Until the wind started it was so still. It was raining but it was really still. That’s not like Coen, when it rains it pours and the wind moves about.” Climate experts said Narelle was likely fuelled by climate change , with the system moving west over the Coral Sea where sea surface temperatures have been at record highs in recent months. Higher ocean temperatures provide more fuel for cyclones, increasing their intensity. Coastal inundation will be worsened by rising sea levels and the system will also be ...