IDQ20023 Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology Queensland Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre Media: Transmitters serving the area between Cape Melville and Cooktown are requested to USE the Standard Emergency Warning Signal before broadcasting the following warning. TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 20 Issued at 9:55 am EST on Friday 11 April 2014 A Cyclone WARNING is current for coastal areas from Cape Sidmouth to Innisfail including Cooktown, Port Douglas and Cairns, and extending inland to areas including Kalinga, Palmerville, Mareeba and Chillagoe. A Cyclone WATCH is current for coastal areas from Innisfail to Cardwell, and extending to adjacent inland areas. The Cyclone WARNING for coastal areas from Lockhart to Cape Sidmouth has been CANCELLED. At 10:00 am EST Severe Tropical Cyclone Ita, Category 5, was estimated to be 205 kilometres north northeast of Cooktown and 360 kilometres north of Cairns, and moving south southwest at 8 kilometres per hour. SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE ITA, CATEGORY 5, poses a serious threat to communities along the far north Queensland coast. It is expected to move in a general south-southwest direction and make landfall between Cape Melville and Cooktown this evening or tonight as a CATEGORY 5 Tropical Cyclone with VERY DESTRUCTIVE WINDS to 300 kilometres per hour near the core and GALES extending out to 200 kilometres from the centre. DESTRUCTIVE WINDS with wind gusts in excess of 125 kilometres per hour may develop between Cape Melville and Cooktown during this afternoon, extending south to Cape Tribulation and possibly to Port Douglas tonight. GALES may develop between Cape Sidmouth and Cape Tribulation late this morning or early this afternoon before extending inland to Laura and Palmerville tonight. Gales may extend south to Cairns and Innisfail and inland to Chillagoe overnight, and possibly to Cardwell during Saturday. The cyclone is expected to be weaken over land overnight, however, there remains the possibility that Ita will track southwards close to the coast tonight and maintain cyclone intensity for longer into Saturday. Should this occur destructive winds with wind gusts to 150 kilometres per hour are possible at Port Douglas and Cairns during Saturday. Coastal residents between Cape Melville and Cape Tribulation including Cooktown are specifically warned of the dangerous storm tide as the cyclone crosses the coast later today. The sea is likely to rise steadily up to a level which will be significantly above the normal tide, with damaging waves, strong currents and flooding of low-lying areas extending some way inland. People living in areas likely to be affected by this flooding should take measures to protect their property as much as possible and be prepared to follow instructions regarding evacuation of the area if advised to do so by the authorities. Coastal residents between Cape Tribulation and Innisfail including Cairns should monitor the situation in case the cyclone takes a more southerly track than expected. Very heavy rain, which may lead to flash flooding, is expected to develop about parts of the Peninsula and North Tropical Coast and Tablelands districts today and persist into the weekend. People between Cape Sidmouth and Innisfail and adjacent inland areas including Laura, Kalinga, Palmerville, Mareeba and Chillagoe People should complete preparations quickly and be prepared to shelter in a safe place. - Boats and outside property should be secured [using available daylight hours/before nightfall]. - For cyclone preparedness and safety advice, visit Queensland's Disaster Management Services website (www.disaster.qld.gov.au) - For emergency assistance call the Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500 (for assistance with storm damage, rising flood water, fallen trees on buildings or roof damage). People between Innisfail and Cardwell and adjacent inland areas shouPeople between Cape Sidmouth and Innisfail and adjacent inland areas including Laura, Kalinga, Palmerville, Mareeba and Chillagoe People should complete preparations quickly and be prepared to shelter in a safe place. - Boats and outside property should be secured [using available daylight hours/before nightfall]. - For cyclone preparedness and safety advice, visit Queensland's Disaster Management Services website (www.disaster.qld.gov.au) - For emergency assistance call the Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500 (for assistance with storm damage, rising flood water, fallen trees on buildings or roof damage). Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Ita at 10:00 am EST: .Centre located near...... 13.7 degrees South 145.8 degrees East .Location accuracy........ within 30 kilometres .Recent movement.......... towards the south southwest at 8 kilometres per hour .Wind gusts near centre... 295 kilometres per hour .Severity category........ 5 .Central pressure......... 930 hectoPascals The next advice will be issued by 11:00 am EST Friday 11 April. This warning is also available through TV and Radio Broadcasts; the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 212. The Bureau and the State Emergency Service would appreciate this warning being broadcast regularly. A map showing the track of the cyclone is available at: http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone