Cyclone Lam destroys houses, cuts power lines

THOUSANDS of people in Arnhem Land could be without essential services for up to a week after Cyclone Lam tore through yesterday.

Nhulunbuy’s Nathan Turner enjoys a flooded quarry. Picture: Elise Derwin

THOUSANDS of people in Arnhem Land could be without essential services for up to a week after Cyclone Lam destroyed homes, ripped up trees and brought down power lines and other infrastructure in Top End communities.

The category-four storm made landfall early yesterday, with wind gusts peaking at about 260km/h. Residents reported hearing terrify­ing noises, with debris flying about and trees crushing homes.

In Galiwin’ku — the main community on Elcho Island, about 520km east of Darwin — at least six houses were destroyed and 30 severely damaged, locals said.

The community was without power, water and sewage services and still had no mobile or landline communications last night. Authorities said it could take a week for services to be fully restored.

GALLERY: Cyclone Lam

Houses and other infrastructure were also damaged in the island community of Milingimbi, about 450km east of Darwin. Mobile phone services were restored late yesterday, but the power and water were still out.

A survey team is expected to depart by air at first light today on a tour of the region, also visiting the mainland community of Ramin­gining, south of Milingimbi. The eye of the cyclone passed over Ramingining and the extent of the damage remained unclear.

Northern Territory Chief Minister Adam Giles said there had been structural damage to properties in a range of areas.

“There have been no notifications of any fatalities or serious injuries,” he said.

Acting Territory Commissioner of Police Reece Kershaw said his officers were collecting information by satellite phone.

INTERACTIVE: Cyclone categories explained

“A number of roofs have been taken off, but we have (also) got a number of houses and buildings totally destroyed,” he said.

About 3000 people live on Elcho Island and another 1500 on Milingimbi Island, plus about 900 each in Ramingining and another community called Gapuwiyak, bringing the total number severely impacted by Cyclone Lam along the Top End coast close to 6000.

Residents in the central Arnhem Land community of Bulman were told to take shelter yesterday afternoon as the downgraded cyclone passed over. It had been downgraded to a tropical low last night, but rainfall remained heavy.

Authorities established a second operations centre in the Katherine region, fearing a possible repeat of the devastating 1998 Katherine floods.

About 430 people evacuated from Goulburn Island about 300km east of Darwin on Thursday will remain in temporary accommod­ation in Darwin until survey teams can ensure it is safe for them to return home.

Schools remained closed across part of the Arnhem region yesterday. Efforts were under way to clear airstrips. Galiwin’ku’s barge landing was severely damaged.

Mr Giles said some areas had food for up to a week, while others had supplies for just a few days. “We’re closely monitoring that. We would ask people to consume wisely,” he said.

East Arnhem Regional Council services director Ben Waugh said the main priority on Galiwin’ku was getting the power plant functioning so sewage services could get up and running.

He said at least 100,000 litres of drinking water was available for local consumption, and that the store had food for about a week.