Cyclone Narelle Batters Far North Queensland

0:00I'm Cory with the story, and this is your Pulse of the World, Global News today. Tropical cyclone Narell slammed into northern Australia's far north Queensland early Friday morning, crossing the Cape York coast with gusts up to 220 kilometers per hour. The storm started as a category 4, but quickly dropped to a category 3, still packing winds around 155 kilometers per hour. Heavy rain up to 500 millimeters is forecast for some spots, raising fears of severe flooding in already soaked areas. Emergency teams are on standby with helicopters, boats, ambulances, and power crews to handle any crises. Residents in places like Cohen and nearby spots report trees down and roofs ripped off with about 3,500 homes without power by. 10-30 local time. Officials warn that some of the strongest winds this region has seen in decades, urging everyone to shelter and place and avoid the eye's false calm. Even far the south, spots like Port Douglas and Cairns saw beach erosion from the system's

1:02reach. Small communities ahead of the storm's path are bracing as it crosses the peninsula. The cyclone now heads toward the Gulf of Carpentaria, where warm waters might strengthen it again in route to the northern territory. Hundreds from the Bolwar were evacuated to Darwin just in case, and authorities continue monitoring closely.