2h agoFri 20 Mar 2026 at 10:42pmStay up to date with the latest emergency warnings
You can head to the ABC Emergency website for all updates, including a map of all warnings.
ABC Emergency will broadcast regular warnings on ABC Radio, which you can stream on the ABC Listen App.
Here are the radio frequencies for local stations:
For NT: ABC Darwin
- Darwin – 105.7 FM
- Katherine – 106.1 FM
- Jabiru – 747 AM
- Nhulunbuy and Yirrkala – 990 AM
- Groote Eylandt, Pine Creek, Mataranka and Borroloola – 106.1 FM
For Queensland: ABC Far North
- Cooktown – 105.7 FM
- Lakeland – 106.1 FM
- Laura – 106.1 FM
- Mossman, Port Douglas and the Daintree – 639 AM
- Weipa – 1044 AM
We’re aware the ABC Local Radio transmitter at Coen (105.9 FM) has been impacted by Cyclone Narelle. People in the area with can tune in to ABC Far NorthQueensland via the ABC Listen app.
You can also keep across the latest warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology on its website.
4m agoSat 21 Mar 2026 at 12:59am
TC Narelle to hit the NT as a category 2
The BOM’s latest track map has the system passing above Groote Eylandt as a category 3 system before crossing the NT coast in the early hours of Sunday morning as a cat 2.
The latest BOM track map for Tropical Cyclone Narelle as of 10:12AM CST. (Bureau of Meteorology)
21m agoSat 21 Mar 2026 at 12:43am
Reports of overcrowding in Coen refuge facility
The Queensland premier is being questioned about the refuge facility in Coen, with reports of overcrowding overnight.
David Crisafulli says people were advised to stay home if they were able to, stay with friends and family and then attend the council’s refuge shelter if needed.
But he says the refuge shelters were something that should be looked at.
“Is there a way to have more resilience in remote communities? We should always look at that. We should always look to do better,” he says.
21m agoSat 21 Mar 2026 at 12:43am
Premier questioned about cyclone shelters for small communities
As TC Narelle approached the Queensland coast, Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council chief executive David Clarke expressed concerns that the community did not have a cyclone shelter.
Premier David Crisafulli has been asked whether one is needed.
“We should always look at ways we can strengthen our resilience to disaster events,” he says.
“I do want to see the ability for smaller communities to have buildings they can rely on.
“We should constantly look to find ways we can make ourselves more resilient.”
27m agoSat 21 Mar 2026 at 12:37am
North Queenslanders ‘made our luck’
Jake Ellwood from the Queensland Reconstruction Authority. (ABC News: Christopher Testa )
Chief executive of the Queensland Reconstruction Authority Jake Ellwood has praised the preparedness of communities.
“While we could say there was some luck, I think — to me — we also made our luck,” he says.
He says many of the communities impacted by the cyclone have been affected by weather events since January, and many roads are still closed due to flooding.
He says the priorities will be bringing essential supplies via air, restoring utilities, making sure the areas have electricity and then looking at infrastructure and roads.
33m agoSat 21 Mar 2026 at 12:31am
Focus on recovery, power remains biggest challenge
Premier David Crisafulli says energy crews are getting in on the ground, as well as those who were pre-positioned.
“Crews as we speak are flowing into Coen, Lockhart River, Weipa,” he says.
“From Weipa they will go to Aurukun.”
He says three emergency choppers will be in the air today doing assessments on 16 communities.
Mr Crisafulli says a decision on whether schools will reopen will be made by 5pm on Sunday.
37m agoSat 21 Mar 2026 at 12:27am
Unidentified vessel on coast east of Coen
Premier David Crisafulli says he will be leaving shortly to assess Port Stewart, an area east of Coen.
“There remains an unknown about Port Stewart,” he says.
He says there was also a vessel that hasn’t been identified in Princess Charlotte Bay.
“Authorities haven’t been able to make contact with that vessel,” he says.
38m agoSat 21 Mar 2026 at 12:26am
Immediate focus is on tides and flooding
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli addressing media in Cooktown. (ABC News: Christopher Testa)
The Qld Premier says the immediate focuses are now on the prospect of higher tides and waves on the Cape’s west coast and possible flooding.
“We’re about to do an assessment on the Aurukun foreshore; there was a bit of damage there,” David Crisafulli says.
“With the prospect of some higher tides today we’ll be keeping a watching brief on that.”
He says swift water rescue teams are in place around the state if there is significant rain.
40m agoSat 21 Mar 2026 at 12:24amCrossing of TC Narelle ‘best of both worlds’ for Qld
The Queensland premier is speaking now from Cooktown.
David Crisafulli says Tropical Cyclone Narelle has delivered “sizeable winds” and “decent rain” after making landfall and passing Queensland.
“It walked a tightrope perfectly between Coen and Lockhart River and then ducked just south of Aurukun as it exited on the western side of the Cape,” he says.
“That was the best of both worlds on both sides of this side of Queensland.”
He says today is a “blessing” and it is welcome that the prolonged rain has not continued.
“We are asking people to be mindful of the fact that the flood watch still exists for a large part of north and far north Queensland,” he says.
52m agoSat 21 Mar 2026 at 12:12am
‘Our only lifeline’: Lockhart River airport reopens
Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council Mayor Wayne Butcher. (ABC News: Mark Leonardi/ File)
Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council Mayor Wayne Butcher says the airport has reopened and is being closely monitored after heavy rain caused the tarmac to bubble from water pressure.
“The airstrip is our only lifeline for the next couple of months until the roads reopen again,” he says.
Cr Butcher says the power has been off since lunchtime yesterday and there had been an “extraordinary” amount of rain, with winds up to 150km/h at its peak.
He says there are many downed trees, including old, established mango and wattle trees.
“They all fell away from the houses, but one landed on my car’s windscreen,” Cr Butcher says.
59m agoSat 21 Mar 2026 at 12:05am
What it looks like in Weipa this morning
Queensland Police has shared this vision from Weipa this morning.
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1h agoFri 20 Mar 2026 at 11:56pm
Concerns over evacuation centre standards
Chair of the Northern Land Council Matthew Ryan says there is some concern about the standard of evacuation centres in the Northern Territory.
He says some of these people have been displaced twice due to recent flooding.
“We need better communication in terms of how we take care of our displaced community members at facilities,” he says.
He says there are some reports of poor quality food and bedding, and some people having to sleep without mattresses.
“We should have been better prepared than being reactive every time,” he says.
1h agoFri 20 Mar 2026 at 11:45pm
Energy, telecommunications crews headed to Aurukun
While Tropical Cyclone Narelle has come and gone from Aurukun, it has left behind a number of fallen trees and powerlines.
Aurukun Shire Council says the airport has reopened this morning, with Ergon and Telstra crews expected to fly in this morning to assess the situation and try to restore services.
The warning remains the same: stay away from fallen trees and fallen powerlines.
Trees and powerlines are down around Aurukun. (Supplied: Aurukun Shire Council)
1h agoFri 20 Mar 2026 at 11:32pm
500 register for evacuation centre in NT
Nicola Krey from Red Cross Australia says overnight 500 people from the Numbulwar community were flown to an evacuation centre ahead of Cyclone Narelle’s arrival.
She says the people in the centre ranged from newborn twins to elders.
“They were tired but grateful for some shelter,” she says.
The evacuation centre has been running since early March after major flooding in the territory, she adds.
1h agoFri 20 Mar 2026 at 11:21pm
About 1,000 without power
Emma Olivieri from Ergon Energy has given an update on ABC Far North with Amanda Cranston.
She says about 1,000 customers are without power in Aurukun, Coen, Lockhart River and Napranum, with the aim to get them all back on by tonight.
She says reinstating power will depend on weather conditions, damage and safe access to restore it.
She adds crews will be flying out of Mareeba this morning and heading to remote sites by heavy lift helicopters.
“We’re heading to all of those remote sites by aircraft, by helicopter, by heavy lift helicopter, so that we can bring equipment in. We need to bring everything in that crews will require for emergency repairs,” she says.
To report fallen powerlines, call 13 16 70.
1h agoFri 20 Mar 2026 at 11:15pm
Queensland premier arrives in Cooktown
David Crisafulli has arrived in Cooktown. (ABC News: Christopher Testa)
Premier David Crisafulli has arrived in Cooktown where he is chairing the Queensland Disaster Management Committee.
He is due to address media later this morning and we will bring that to you live.
Damage assessments continue across Cape York Peninsula, where several communities remain without power following Tropical Cyclone Narelle.
1h agoFri 20 Mar 2026 at 11:07pm
Where is TC Narelle forecast to cross the NT?
Tropical Cyclone Narelle is tracking across the Gulf of Carpentaria, having crossed the Far North Queensland coast as a category four system.
The Bureau of Meteorology’s forecast suggests the cyclone will cross the Northern Territory coast later today.
Follow the link below to see how the system is tracking.
2h agoFri 20 Mar 2026 at 10:58pm
BOM issues warning for abnormally high tides
Areas that may be affected by high tides include Weipa, Aurukun, Pormpuraaw, Napranum and Old Mapoon. (Supplied: Bureau of Meteorology)
A coastal hazard warning for abnormally high tides has been issued for people in parts of Peninsula and Gulf Country Forecast Districts.
There are elevated sea levels and waves as Tropical Cyclone Narelle moves westward over the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Abnormally high tides, which may lead to sea water flooding of low-lying coastal areas, are expected between Mapoon and Pormpuraaw.
Tides are likely to rise well above the normal high tide mark during the morning high tide.
Damaging surf conditions, which may lead to coastal erosion and localised damage to coastal infrastructure, are also possible.
Locations that may be affected include Weipa, Aurukun, Pormpuraaw, Napranum and Old Mapoon.
2h agoFri 20 Mar 2026 at 10:44pm
Weipa residents urged to stay home, avoid sightseeing
Weipa Town Authority chairperson Jaime Gane says there are a number of trees down that have blocked roads and downed power lines.
“We have received a couple of reports that trees have fallen onto properties or onto the sides of properties, but in terms of structural damage from the winds, I think we have come out pretty good so far,” she says.
2h agoFri 20 Mar 2026 at 10:31pm
Watch: Cyclone winds knock tree down in WenlockLoading…
Kerry McCallum has shared this video with us from Moreton Telegraph Station in Wenlock, just west of Lockhart River.
She says it is “pretty messy” where she is now preparing for major flooding.