Gale force winds with gusts to 120 per hour from Tropical Cyclone Marcus are now impacting Cobourg Peninsula, including Croker Island. Residents are urged to stay indoors, avoid travel and stay away from beaches and coastal areas.
A Warning remains in place for Goulburn Island to Wadeye, including Darwin and the Tiwi Islands.
The tropical cyclone is expected to pass close to Darwin during Saturday, with gales expected to be felt from dawn for approximately six to 12 hours onwards before moving into the Timor Sea late on Saturday or early Sunday.
Cyclone shelters across the Greater Darwin region are open and operating. These public shelters are for those who can’t find a suitable place to stay as the effects of Tropical Cyclone Marcus are felt.
“The Bureau of Meteorology is expecting Darwin will feel the full force of Tropical Cyclone Marcus from dawn onwards tomorrow,” Regional Controller Gavin Kennedy said.
“We strongly encourage people to avoid travelling until the threat has passed, so if anyone feels they will be safer in a public cyclone shelter, they should finalise their plans and move now.”
The following drug-free and alcohol-free locations are open for people who are not able to find an alternative place to take shelter:
EMERGENCY SHELTERS:
- Berry Springs Primary School
- Casuarina Senior College
- Cox Peninsula Community Government Council Office
- Dripstone Middle School
- Girraween Primary School
- Nightcliff Middle School
- Palmerston Senior College
- Rosebery Primary & Middle Schools
- Supreme Court Building
- Taminmin College
CAR PARK SHELTERS:
- Casuarina Square Shopping Centre – toilets available
- Holiday Inn Esplanade – no toilets
- Palmerston Hub Complex – toilets available
- Palmerston Shopping Centre – no toilets, no security staff
No trailers, horse floats, caravans or boats are to be brought to the car park shelters.
No pets are allowed in the public emergency shelters. Animals which can’t be provided with shelter at a residence can be taken to a car park shelter.
“Animal owners who need to make use of a car park shelter can do so by taking shelter in their own vehicles in a car park shelter,” Regional Controller Kennedy said.
“We’d also like to remind people that they will need to bring food, pillows and blankets to a public shelter, along with their cyclone kits,” he said.
All public transport will be reviewed according to weather conditions with buses due to continue until midnight. Ferry services have now been suspended.
A Watch is in place for Wadeye to Kuri Bay.
SecureNT has a list of shelters across the region and tips on how to prepare for a cyclone: https://securent.nt.gov.au/prepare-for-an-emergency/shelter-locations/darwin
The Bureau of Meteorology is due to issue another update at 11:00pm: http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDD65011.shtml
