Two cyclones are battering Australia today; Cyclone Lam in the Northern Territory and Cyclone Marcia in Queensland. Refresh your page for updates as this story develops.
Cyclone Marcia
Tropical Cyclone Marcia has been downgraded to a category three system.
However, wind gusts up to 205 kilometres per hour are being recorded as it moves south along the Queensland coast, ABC News reports.
This morning, Cyclone Marcia crossed the Queensland coast near Shoalwater Bay.
Evacuations centres have opened in Sarina, Gladstone and Yeppoon, and across Queensland, and more than 130 schools and 40 childcare centres have closed.
Early this morning, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk issued a serious warning to residents of Rockhampton and Yepoon ahead of Cyclone Marcia, saying residents should stay indoors, take care of themselves and take shelter in the safest parts of their homes.
“Please do not leave your homes this morning. Do not go outside under any circumstances,” she said in a media statement this morning.
“Please listen to your radio. This is a severe tropical cyclone and we want people to be safe.”
Meanwhile, two fishermen have been reported missing off the Queensland coast.
For up to date weather reports visit the Bureau of Meteorology page here
For cyclone preparedness and safety advice go here.
For flood warnings go here.
For a full list of school closures go here.
How you can help: Givit is collecting items needed by those affected. For a full list visit Givit here.
Some images from Cyclone Marcia. Post continues after gallery:
Cyclone Lam
Tropical Cyclone Lam has now been downgraded to a category two storm after crossing the Northern Territory coast earlier today, ABC News reports.
The storm is tracking south-west.
Wind gusts reached up to 250 kilometres per hour when it made land about 15 kilometres east of Milingimbi at 2:00am (CST) on Friday.
ABC News reports wind gusts reached up to 250 kilometres per hour when it made land about 15 kilometres east of Milingimbi at 2:00am (CST) on Friday.
Hundreds of people from the Aboriginal community of Warruwi were evacuated to Darwin on helicopters and planes.
For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.
For life threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Top Comments
It never ceases to amaze me the number of IDIOTS who take to the water on their surboards/SUPs/kayaks during cyclone or storm events. They're putting not only their lives at risk but those of the swift water rescue teams. Surely they should be fined for their stupidity and the proceeds of the fines reinvested in SES to help those who really deserve it.
Marcia is my first cyclone experience. Hatches battened down. Family really turned it on this visit...