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Wild weather hits the East Coast as millions wake up to rattling windows and torrential rain with a monster cyclone looming in Queensland – this is when the storm will hit your area
- Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle intensifies off Queensland
- It is expected to become a severe Category 3 cyclone.
Wild weather has brought a brutal end to our brief taste of a sunny Australian summer as Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle intensifies into a dangerous Category 3 storm.
Emergency services on Norfolk Island said Wednesday they had activated their cyclone response plan after the tropical low became Cyclone Gabrielle.
The Bureau of Meteorology expects Gabrielle to intensify to a severe Category 3 cyclone with winds between 165 km/h and 224 km/h on Thursday.
The storm, which formed on Wednesday, is forecast to remain offshore but bring large surf and strong winds to exposed coastal areas of Queensland and northern New South Wales before passing near Norfolk Island over the weekend. .
“The community is advised to familiarize themselves with the alert levels and consider what action they will take if the cyclone threat continues,” the island’s emergency management team said.
Island residents have been warned of an extended period of hurricane force winds, with heavy rain and damaging surf also possible depending on storm movement and intensity.
Norfolk Island is on high alert following the intensification of Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle
Another tropical low near the Cocos Islands, northwest of WA, has a low chance of becoming a cyclone and continues to be monitored.
The Bureau of Meteorology stated that Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle had formed in the Coral Sea, about 690 kilometers northeast of Mackay on Wednesday afternoon.
“Gabrielle is forecast to continue to track south for the remainder of Wednesday and then south-east from Thursday, staying well off the east Queensland coast,” the Bureau reported.
On Saturday, Gabrielle is likely to approach Norfolk Island and is forecast to pass over Norfolk Island on Sunday.
The island could face sustained winds of 89 to 117 km/h and typical gusts over open or flat oceans of 125 to 164 km/h.
“It promises to be a nervous few days for the 2,200 residents of Norfolk Island as a dangerous tropical storm develops in the Coral Sea and moves south,” said Weatherzone meteorologist Anthony Sharwood.
Cyclone Gabrielle forms off the coast
The cyclone forced a cruise ship to turn back on Wednesday Potential tropical cyclone on the coast
The Carnival Luminosa cruise ship was forced to change direction on Wednesday after the development of the cyclone.
The cruise ship was expected to arrive in Lifou, New Caledonia, on Wednesday, but was instead forced to head for Brisbane.
In a letter to guests, Carnival Luminosa captain Carmelo Marino said the ship had to change course to keep a safe distance from the tropical cyclone.
The Carnival Luminosa cruise ship was headed for New Caledonia, but returned to Brisbane instead.
“Unfortunately, given the forecast track of the storm, we will not be able to deliver our planned South Pacific itinerary,” Mr. Marino said.
He said the team was trying to plan a trip to Moreton Bay this Friday, weather permitting.
Guests on board have been offered a $200 stateroom credit to spend on the cruise along with an extended 50 percent of future cruise credits.