Tropical cyclone Esther has formed in the Gulf of Carpentaria, north of Mornington Island.
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A warning zone is place between Port Roper to Gilbert River Mouth, including Borroloola and Mornington Island and adjacent inland areas between Cape Crawford and Century Mine, including Doomadgee.
At 4am Monday, Cyclone Esther was a Category 1 sustaining winds near the centre of 75 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 100 kilometres per hour.
It was located about 80 kilometres north of Mornington Island and 300 kilometres east of Borroloola and moving southwest at 10 kilometres per hour.
Esther is expected to continue moving southwest and cross the southern Gulf of Carpentaria coast between Borroloola and Mornington Island later Monday.
People between the NT/Qld border and Burketown, including Mornington and Sweers Islands and Doomadgee, should remain inside until the cyclone has passed
Although some further intensification of the system is expected during this period, a category 2 impact is now considered unlikely.
Gales with gusts to 110 kilometres per hour are occurring intermittently on Mornington Island, and on the mainland between the NT / Queensland border and Burketown.
Gales may extend further to coastal and island communities between Port Roper and Gilbert River Mouth (including Borroloola, Burketown, Doomadgee, and Karumba), later on Monday depending on the movement and intensity of the system.
These gales may extend further inland over the Northern Territory and far northwest Queensland late on Monday as the system moves inland.
A storm tide between Port McArthur and Karumba is expected as the cyclone centre crosses the coast.
Tides are likely to rise significantly above the normal high tide, with damaging waves and dangerous flooding between Port McArthur and Karumba.
Abnormally high tides are expected to develop about the southwestern Gulf of Carpentaria coast over the next couple of days. Large waves may produce at least minor flooding along low-lying coastal areas. 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 help their neighbours.
Heavy rain with the potential to cause flash flooding is expected in areas around the Gulf of Carpentaria over the next couple of days, then move west following the low over the coming days. Flood Watches are current for Gulf of Carpentaria catchments.
Here in Mount Isa Monday will be cloudy with a medium (60%) chance of showers and the chance of a thunderstorm.