Tropical Cyclone Owen remains at Category 2 strength and is now within close proximity to the coast between Port Roper and Port McArthur. It is estimated to be 130 kilometres south southwest of Groote Eylandt and 90 kilometres northwest of Port McArthur. 

It is still moving slowly at 10 kilometres per hour, with destructive winds near the centre of the cyclone reaching 110 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 155 kilometres per hour.  

Tropical Cyclone Owen is forecast to start moving eastwards back towards the Queensland coast during today, passing closing to Port McArthur as it does so. 

“It’s still possible that this cyclone will reach Category 3 today,” Incident Controller Brendan Muldoon said. 

“As it moves eastward, the coastal area between Port Roper and Port McArthur will start seeing destructive winds of about 140 kilometres per hour. 

“Winds that strong can destroy caravans and cause damage to houses and power failures. Small vessels can also break their moorings.” 

Residents between Port McArthur and the NT/QLD border are being advised to finalise their cyclone preparations and stay indoors. Public shelters are open in Numbulwar and Borroloola.  

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) is warning that if TC Owen strengthens to a Category 3, very destructive winds with gusts to 170 kilometres per hour may develop along the coast near Port McArthur this morning. They may also develop near the coast to the NT/Qld Border if the TC Owen takes a more southerly track.

 For the latest advice head to the BOM website: http://www.bom.gov.au/nt/warnings/ or Secure NT: https://securent.nt.gov.au/alerts

 Media Contact
Jessica Tapp

0476 835 348