Cyclone season extends — Narelle recovery, new QLD Coral Sea/Maila systems ramp
Key Questions
What is the status of Tropical Cyclone Maila?
Maila has rapidly intensified to Category 3 in the Solomon Sea with 185km/h gusts, slow-moving. It tracks towards QLD FNQ coast late-week, with BoM watch in Coral Sea and potential Gulf landfall Saturday.
Where might Cyclone Maila make landfall in Queensland?
Uncertainty persists for Cape York to Port Douglas, with high chance of development off QLD coast this weekend. QLD Easter showers and winds expected.
What were the impacts of ex-tropical Cyclone Narelle?
Narelle caused rare triple severe landfalls in QLD/WA/NT, with Pilbara/Carnarvon/Exmouth seeing red dust, 100km/h winds, roof damage, power outages, and evacuations. No major injuries reported; Rio ports recovering after 8Mt disruption; thousands still without power.
What aid is available for cyclone-affected areas?
QLD offers $180-900 hardship payments, $80k for repairs, $75k grants. Additional disaster aid for regional/remote areas announced.
Is there a looming cyclone threat during Easter?
Forecast shows calm Easter weather for most of Australia, but another cyclone looms in Coral Sea. Queenslanders warned to stay alert for far north coast impacts.
How rare was Cyclone Narelle's path?
Narelle was a rare triple landfall event across QLD/WA/NT. It produced blood-red skies in WA from red dust.
What is the cyclone risk in the Coral Sea?
Risk grows with a tropical low (37U) likely intensifying, potential landfall from Rockhampton north. New threat looms for battered far north QLD.
What weather conditions follow Narelle in WA?
Ex-tropical Narelle downgraded to tropical low tracking south through WA, with ongoing showers/thunderstorms in central areas. Recovery underway in Pilbara ports.
Maila rapidly intensifies to severe Cat3 Solomon Sea (150km/h winds/185km/h gusts, slow-moving), track towards QLD FNQ coast late-week (Cape York-Port Douglas uncertainty, BoM Coral Sea watch), potential Sat landfall Gulf; twin cyclones Pacific/Fiji Aus/NZ travel warnings/chaos; WA cyclone watch persists/Kalgoorlie thunderstorms; QLD Easter showers/winds; Narelle ex-tropical: rare triple severe landfalls QLD/WA/NT, Pilbara/Carnarvon/Exmouth red dust/100km/h/roofs/power/evacs, no major injuries, Rio ports recovering (8Mt half); QLD aid ($180-900 hardship, $80k repairs, $75k grants).