Tracker; Forecast; Map; Landfall; Narelle bears down on coast with ‘very destructive’ 285km/h wind gusts; Emergency alert issued for towns in firing line

By Rebecca Masters19 Mar 2026 22:47

Bureau meteorologist Matthew Collopy has told us in the most recent update that the cyclone is crossing the coast between Lockhart River and Coen.

It’s moving west at 23km/h and will move across the cape just to the north of Aurukun this afternoon.

When it hits the gulf, it will weaken to a category 2 cyclone before it regains its strength as it moves towards the Northern Territory tomorrow.

It’s packing wind gusts in excess of 250km/h near the centre and gusts of about 160km/h are expected between Lockhart River and Cape Flattery, with gusts of 120km/h across the entire Cape York Peninsula, Collopy said.

Heavy rain has already set in.

“We’ve already seen 150mm at Wenlock River just to the south of Lockhart and we’re seeing 100mm at Wujal Wujal and Coen,” Collopy said.

“Over the next 24 to 48 hours we are expecting totals in excess of 200mm from Ingham right the way up the coast to Lockhart River and across the Cape.

“Those totals will increase to in excess of 500mm for areas north of about Cooktown and very real possibility of flash flooding.”