A Tropical Cyclone Warning is now in place for Groote Eylandt.

Tropical Cyclone Trevor remains over waters in the Gulf of Carpentaria and is expected to track south-west of Groote Eylandt, rapidly intensifying to a category 3 cyclone by this evening.

It is likely to cross the Northern Territory coast during Saturday as a category 4 severe tropical cyclone.

Groote Eylandt has been partially evacuated, with this process now being suspended due to the latest Bureau of Meteorology advice indicating that the cyclone will not directly impact the island. 

Groote Eylandt is expected to feel some effects of the cyclone including destructive winds, heavy rainfall and abnormally high tides.

People are advised to pay attention to emergency alerts. Prepare your emergency kits, finalise your plans and know where the public shelter is if you need to move there. Shelters are currently being prepared to be accessible for community members from this afternoon.

Evacuations are continuing in Borroloola and Numbulwar, including Port McArthur, McArthur River Mine, Cape Crawford and Port Roper.

Shelters in Ngukurr will be opening tomorrow.

Some people have followed the advice of emergency services and have already self-evacuated these areas. Assisted evacuations commenced yesterday and are still underway. Emergency services are aiming to have everyone moved to safety by tonight, before the threat reaches land.

Evacuees will be transported to Darwin and Katherine with temporary accommodation in place.

A Flood Watch was also issued today for Carpentaria Coastal Rivers and the Barkly. Rainfall is expected to increase from Saturday as Tropical Cyclone Trevor crosses the coast in the south western Gulf of Carpentaria and tracks inland.

Predicted rainfalls of 150-250mm on Saturday and isolated falls to 300mm along the coast these totals plus more over the following days may result in significant stream rises and localised flooding throughout the Carpentaria Coastal Rivers. As the rainfall extends inland into the Barkly from Sunday, road conditions may be affected in many areas, with some communities potentially becoming isolated. 

A list of what residents should include in their emergency kit can be found on the Northern Territory Emergency Service website: http://www.pfes.nt.gov.au/Emergency-Service/Public-safety-advice/Household-emergency-planning.aspx 

For more information on the tropical low and weather warnings go to the BoM website: http://www.bom.gov.au/nt/warnings 

Cyclone preparedness information is available at SecureNT: https://securent.nt.gov.au/prepare-for-an-emergency/cyclones

Media Contact
pfes.media@pfes.nt.gov.au