Tropical Cyclone Owen has been upgraded to “severe” and could reach Category 4 status overnight.
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Owen is currently a Category 3 system and is “meandering” off the eastern Northern Territory coast between Port Roper and Port McArthur, west of Bing Bong.
The BoM said the system was currently moving very slowly, but was forecast to start moving eastwards back towards the Queensland coast during Thursday.
“As it tracks east, it is likely to pass close to Port McArthur,” the BoM said in statement at 11am.
“Severe TC Owen may reach category 4 intensity during Thursday.”
The bureau is A coastal crossing along the southeast Gulf of Carpentaria coast between Karumba to Pormpuraaw later Friday is likely, and there is a chance it crosses the coast as a category 4 system.
Very destructive winds with gusts to 205kph are likely right near the centre, and may develop along the coast to Port McArthur and Bing Bong Thursday as Owen moves east.
They may also develop near the coast to the NT/Queensland Border if Severe TC Owen takes a more southerly track.
If Owen maintains category 3 or 4 intensity during Friday very destructive winds are possible between Pormpuraaw and Karumba later on Friday.
Mornington Shire said the island may experience hurricane force winds over next 24 hours and the Rex flight Cairns to Mount Isa flight Thursday afternoon was not stopping at Mornington Island with no flights to Mornington Island Friday.
Burke Shire Council put out a cyclone watch alert and said their local disaster management group met Thursday and deemed there was no immediate threat but would review the situation in 24 hours.
Carpentaria Shire’s disaster management group was also monitoring the situation and advised people to take precautionary measures with a landfall near Karumba possible.
Ergon Energy Far North Area Manager Charlie Casa said severe weather conditions could cause significant damage to their network, interrupting the electricity supply to customers and communities across the region.
“We are prepared for the full gamut of scenarios, with crews, equipment and generators on standby in strategic locations and all other possible preparations in place,” Mr Casa said.
“It is important that people in the danger zone listen to the advice of emergency services and stay inside until the threat passes.Even when conditions ease, they need to be aware of electrical hazards. If people see fallen powerlines they need to stay away, always assume they are 'live' and dangerous and report them immediately to 000.”