but concerns remain about severe flooding. Tropical Cyclone Narelle crossed the east coast of Cape York in Far North Queensland with powerful wind gusts of 220 km/h (137mph), but has since weakened from a category four system to a three, the weather bureau said. Authorities praised residents who had followed orders to shelter in place. Preparations are now being made for the cyclone when it reaches the Northern Territory – expected on Saturday – while up to 500mm of rain is expected in parts of far north Queensland, and is predicted to cause severe flooding.

Australia's Bureau of Meteorology said Narelle was still packing wind gusts of around 140 km/h as a category three cyclone. The town of Coen, which has a population of around 350 people, had been expected to face the brunt of the storm, but police say there are no reports of injuries or serious infrastructure damage. However, Debbie Jackson, who lives 50km (31 miles) north of Coen, told the ABC that they were "losing roofs everywhere". Lots of trees down. We have lost a few roofs. It's not real great," she said. "We just have to ride it out." Thousands of homes are without power, and telephone signal has also been lost in parts of the western coast of Cape York, including the predominantly Indigenous town of Aurukun. (BBC)