AUSTRALIA - Cyclone Ita: north Queensland residents told to prepare or evacuate
Source: Guardian
More than 9,000 residents of far north Queensland coastal communities in the path of tropical cyclone Ita have been warned to expect “very destructive winds” and possible flash flooding as the giant category-five weather system bears down.
The severe tropical cyclone, which was upgraded to the highest possible rating on Thursday afternoon, is expected to make landfall between Cape Melville and Cooktown about 7pm on Friday.
The mayor of Cook Shir, Peter Scott, has urged residents in the area to secure their properties by noon before gales of 125km/h are expected to hit.
"People should be making their final preparations now," Scott told Australian Associated Press. "The big message is that people need to stay indoors once those strong winds start."
Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/11/cyclone-ita-north-queensland-residents-told-to-prepare-or-evacuate
