NT weather: Cyclone Ellie makes land, severe weather warnings for Top End
Cyclone Ellie has been downgraded to a tropical low less than 12 hours after crossing the coast, as heavy rainfall sets in across much of the Territory.
Northern Territory
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern Territory. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Tropical Cyclone Ellie has been downgraded to a tropical low less than 12 hours after it reached the NT coast.
Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said there had been no reports of significant damage in affected areas of Wadeye and Peppimenarti.
However, she said parts of the Territory were still expected to experience heavy rainfall.
Ms Fyles said the Housing Department had been working to have as many houses in the communities available over the wet season.
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie is expected to continue south, with 200mm to 300mm of rain expected in the Tanami district.
WEATHER PHOTOS: Email your photos to news@ntnews.com.au
“Our next focus is going to be as that tropical low moves through the Northern Territory, a significant amount of rainfall,” Ms Fyles said.
“I’d like to thank the residents in that Wadeye, Daly River region.
“They listened to our authorities last night.
“It appears that there hasn’t been any substantial damage but it is important that we listen to our authorities.”
Ms Fyles said the cyclone sped up and reached the NT coast earlier than expected on Thursday, which reduced its intensity.
“It’s now going to be a tropical low dumping a lot of water on the Northern Territory,” she said.
The government’s emergency subcommittee met on Friday morning before the cyclone was downgraded.
An emergency operations centre was also set up in Katherine.
Territory Controller and Acting Police Commissioner Murray Smallpage urged motorists to take care on the roads.
READ MORE: How Cyclone Ellie formed
“Just be careful if you’re travelling,” he said.
“Flooded roads and the inclement weather conditions make our road conditions, particularly in remote locations, tricky.
“The last thing a Northern Territory police officer wants to be doing leading up to Christmas is knocking on someone’s door with some tragic news about a road death.”
He also urged people to adhere to flood warnings.
“If it’s flooded, forget it,” he said.
“Don’t go into flooded roadways.”
He said people should avoid flooded waterways due to an increased risk of crocodiles, as well as people becoming trapped.
Tropical Cyclone Ellie tracked south through the Territory after forming off the NT coast late Thursday.
The system crossed the coast at 11pm Thursday in a sparsely populated area southwest of Daly River Mouth.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued its latest warning at 4am Friday when Ellie was about 55km east southeast of Wadeye and 230km west southwest of Darwin as it moved south, causing winds of up to 100km/h.
A severe weather warning was also issued for people in Daly, Tiwi, Gregory and parts of Arnhem, Carpentaria and Tanami districts, with monsoonal rainfall and damaging winds forecast for Friday and through Saturday.
The Bureau said six-hourly rainfall totals between 80mm and 120mm possible, with isolated totals up to 160mm possible.
Between 160mm and 200mm of rain could fall in a 24-hour period, with isolated totals up to 250mm in parts.
To keep residents in the Wadeye and surrounding areas updated, emergency services posted a warning video to Facebook in Murrinh Patha, the local language, along with the latest track map for Cyclone Ellie.
A West Daly Regional Council spokeswoman said there didn’t appear to be any damage in town.
“It’s business as usual here,” she said.
She said rain was still falling, but the winds had died down.
The Bureau said a separate severe thunderstorm warning would be issued if dangerous thunderstorms with destructive wind gusts or tornadoes were detected.
Affected areas would include Darwin, Jabiru, Wurrumiyanga, Kalkarindji, Pirlangimpi and Pine Creek.
Darwin could receive as much as 90mm of rain on Friday, while rainfall on Saturday is forecast between 15mm and 50mm.
Rainfall for Christmas Day in the capital is forecast between 2mm and 20mm.
More Coverage
Originally published as NT weather: Cyclone Ellie makes land, severe weather warnings for Top End
Whopping 255kgs of kava seized following police operation
A tip-off to police led authorities to the massive haul of kava, with a young man set to face court. Details.
PM proposes grocery price lock for remote communities
The Prime Minister’s proposition of a grocery price cap on essential items in remote communities is “great news” – but not all are convinced. Find out why.