Cyclone Tiffany to cross coast today north of Cooktown

cyclone tiffany

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Tiffany is a category 2 system approaching the far north Queensland coast. Landfall is expected between Cooktown and Lockhart River today.

Tropical cyclone Tiffany, category 2, is approaching the coast near Cape Melville. Cyclone warning extends across Cape York Peninsula.

A warning zone has been declared from Gilbert River Mouth to Mapoon and Cape Grenville to Cape Tribulation.

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 14.0 degrees South, 144.9 degrees East , 170 kilometres north northwest of Cooktown and 220 kilometres southeast of Lockhart River .

Movement: west at 18 kilometres per hour .

Tropical cyclone Tiffany is a category 2 system approaching the far north Queensland coast. Landfall is expected between Cooktown and Lockhart River today, with the timing dependent on whether Tiffany moves south or north of Cape Melville.

Tiffany will weaken slightly over land but may maintain tropical cyclone strength as it moves westward across the Cape. The system is then expected to move into the Gulf of Carpentaria on Tuesday and re-intensify quickly as it moves towards the Northern Territory coast. A severe tropical cyclone coastal impact on the Northern Territory coast is possible on Wednesday or Thursday.

 

Hazards:

Gales with gusts to 110 km/h will develop between Cape Tribulation and Coen, including Cooktown, this morning as Tiffany approaches the coast. These GALES may extend north to Lockhart River and Cape Grenville if the cyclone takes a more northerly track.

Destructive wind gusts to 130 km/h are expected later today as the centre of the cyclone makes landfall.

Gales with gusts to 100 km/h will extend westward across Cape York Peninsula between Gilbert River Mouth and Mapoon, including Weipa and Pormpuraaw, during today and early Tuesday.

Heavy rainfall is occurring in the warning area and is expected to persist through Monday and into Tuesday as the system moves across Cape York Peninsula. Widespread 24 hour totals of 100 to 150mm are expected, with isolated 24 hour totals of 200 to 250mm possible.

As the system crosses the coast, ABNORMALLY HIGH TIDES are expected between Cape Tribulation and Lockhart River today, but the sea level should not exceed the highest tide of the year. Large waves are likely along the beachfront. ABNORMALLY HIGH TIDES are also expected on the western Cape York Peninsula during Tuesday and Wednesday.

Recommended Action:

People between Cape Tribulation and Coen, including Cooktown, should complete preparations quickly and be prepared to shelter in a safe place.

People between Cape Grenville and Coen, including Lockhart River, and Mapoon to Gilbert River Mouth should take precautions and listen to the next advice at 8am AEST Monday.

- 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)

- If you choose to take shelter away from your home, stay COVID-19 safe and pack a mask and hand sanitiser (if you have them).

- 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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