STAY INFORMED – Aurukun – Tropical Cyclone Narelle as at 4pm Wednesday, 18 March 2026
Warning level: ADVICE #2
Warning area: Aurukun Local Government Area
This warning is from the Aurukun Local Disaster Management Group
The Aurukun Local Disaster Management Group has remained at Lean Forward as of 3:30pm today (18 March) ahead of Tropical Cyclone Narelle’s predicted western track across Cape York over the 72 hours. At this stage, it is forecast that Narelle will cross the western Cape York coastline to the south of Aurukun as a Category 1 cyclone on Friday (20 March) afternoon/night, with heavy rainfall and strong winds up to 90-125km/h likely.
Impacts
If the cyclone gets close to the coast:
- Very strong winds could knock down trees, powerlines, blow roofs off some houses, and blow away anything not tied down outside.
- Power, phones, internet and water might stop working.
- Heavy rain may cause flooding in some places.
- Roads could be blocked by fallen trees, powerlines or flood water. * Some communities might be isolated.
- Shops will close when the cyclone gets closer.
What you should do
Check or make an emergency kit:
- battery-powered radio to listen to warnings
- torch and spare batteries
- tinned and packet food and bottled water to last five days
- enough clothes for five days
- important medicine
- important papers (like ID, insurance papers and passports)
- first-aid kit
- mobile phone, charger and charged power bank
- toilet paper, face masks and hand sanitiser
- if you have very young children, enough nappies for up to five days, wipes, bottles, formula or baby food. Plan to not have a fridge or microwave
- if you have a pet, enough pet food for five days, a lead and/or crate.
Make sure friends, family and neighbours know about the cyclone and help them if you can.
If you find it hard to move quickly or have special or medical needs
- Make sure you have enough medicine for at least one week.
- If anyone in your house uses powered medical equipment, like a dialysis machine or ventilator, decide now where you will go in case you lose power.
- Call your support person or service to organise transport in case you need to leave.
- Leaving early is safer than waiting.
More information
For all warnings, visit the Aurukun Shire Council Emergency Dashboard regularly – https://emd.aurukun.qld.gov.au/.
For weather information, visit the Bureau of Meteorology website – https://www.bom.gov.au/.
For power outage information, visit the Ergon Energy website – https://www.ergon.com.au/.
The next update will be sent when the situation changes.