Residents of the remote Territory communities of Groote Eylandt, Numbulwar, Ngukurr and Borroloola are being advised to make preparations for the possibility of a cyclone affecting the area within the next 24 hours.

The advice comes with the issuing of a cyclone warning by the Bureau of Meteorology extending from Burketown in Queensland, east to Cape Shield in the Northern Territory, including Groote Eylandt.

The system, currently a low, is sitting off the coast in the Gulf of Carpentaria and expected to move northwest and redevelop over water near the coast later today.

Acting Superintendent Lee Morgan said the Groote Eylandt Local Counter Disaster Committee met early this morning and will meet again this afternoon to discuss the changing weather conditions and any precautions that should be put in place. Local Counter Disaster Committee meetings have also been held at Borroloola, Ngukurr and Numbulwar.

"We are well practised in relation to the preparation of cyclones and the local Counter Disaster Committee and residents are being advised locally of preparations to be made" he said.

Police in the area are currently informing all residents and urging all to listen to their radios for updates.

For more information on the low pressure system, please visit the Bureau of Meteorology website http://www.bom.gov.au/ .


Media contact:
Amy Sloan
8922 3531