Cape York Braces for Category 5 Cyclone Narelle as Communities Prepare for Worst
Residents across far north Queensland spent Thursday in a frantic race against time, sandbagging properties, stockpiling essential supplies, and securing buildings as Tropical Cyclone Narelle intensified into a formidable category five storm. The system, forecast to make landfall on Friday morning, is predicted to bring destructive winds exceeding 200km/h directly over the remote Cape York community of Coen.
Eerie Calm Before the Storm
In the small, landlocked town of Coen, home to approximately 330 people, an unsettling quiet descended on Thursday. Sara Watkins, who operates one of the town's two grocery and fuel shops, described the atmosphere as "eerily silent." "It's a day that you'd spend going fishing," she remarked, contrasting the typical wet season morning with the urgent preparations underway. Instead, Watkins was busy pulling down signs, sandbagging doors, and selling emergency items like gas stoves and canned food to residents.
Lucretia Huen, general manager of the Coen Regional Aboriginal Corporation, reported from Brisbane that her community far to the north was experiencing an ominous stillness. "They say it's very calm and still. Very eerie. They can't hear birds. We anticipate that this is the calm before the storm," Huen said, expressing concern for family and community members. Coen lacks a purpose-built cyclone shelter, and some older buildings may not meet modern cyclone standards, heightening anxiety.
Communities on High Alert
The threat extends beyond Coen. In Lockhart River, a remote Aboriginal community located a three-hour drive north-east, more than 700 residents were also battening down the hatches. Mayor Wayne Butcher noted that the community, familiar with cyclones after experiencing Tropical Cyclone Trevor in 2019, has been proactive since Wednesday. "Unfortunately we've had plenty of practice over the years with cyclones, but the community is in a good position, as best as it can be given the circumstances," Butcher stated.
Debris remains a primary concern. "Buildings and houses can withstand the wind but they can't withstand any debris smashing into it during such an event," Butcher explained. Council teams were collecting loose items from footpaths to minimize flying hazards. Like Coen, Lockhart River does not have a dedicated cyclone shelter, with many residents living in tin housing, though concrete homes offer some refuge. The community has rallied, with locals opening their doors to anyone in need.
Preparations and Potential Aftermath
Rangers from Kalan Enterprises were observed assisting Coen residents in securing their buildings, a critical task as Narelle's projected path targets the town directly. Watkins, also a mechanic, prepared to communicate via UHF radio once standard services fail. She highlighted the potential for extended isolation, noting Coen could face weeks without power, mobile reception, or external access post-cyclone. In a small gesture of normalcy, she planned a sausage sizzle for when conditions are safe.
Further south-east in Cooktown, over 250km from Coen, preparations included evacuating boats to safe tidal creeks. Coast Guard deputy commander Nick Davidson coordinated the harbour evacuation, describing the difficult decision for boat owners to stay with their vessels or seek shelter on land. "Or whether you are going to have to jump in a tender and head back to town and find a nice solid house to hide in – which is always my preferred option," Davidson said.
A Storm of Historic Proportions
Authorities have warned that Cyclone Narelle could be the worst in living memory for communities in its path. With its intensification to category five—the highest rating—occurring about 500km offshore, the storm is hurtling towards the Queensland coast with devastating potential. Residents across hundreds of kilometres of coastal Queensland are bracing for the worst, implementing lessons from past cyclones while facing an unprecedented threat.
As winds begin to pick up and the sky darkens, the people of Cape York are left to wait, hoping their preparations are enough to withstand what Mother Nature brings. The coming hours will test the resilience of these remote communities, with the aftermath likely to involve significant recovery efforts and prolonged isolation.
