Cyclone Narelle: Category 5 Monster Barreling Toward Queensland

0:00What's up, Sydney? This is Sydney News Today, bringing you the city's fastest updates on what is happening now. Tropical Cyclone Narellae is barreling toward Far North Queensland as a Category 5 monster, with wind gusts up to 285 km. Per hour, officials from the Bureau of Meteorology call it one of the most powerful systems they've seen, set to slam it to Cape York any moment. This would mark the first Category 5 Cyclone to hit the region since Cyclone Mahina back in March 1899, which killed more than 300 people. Expect gusts over 250 km per hour that could wreck buildings, snap trees, and knock out power across the area. A warning zone stretches from Lockhart River down to Cape Tribulation, where vulnerable folks have been evacuated, tourists sent home, and schools. Shut down. Over 100 emergency workers are on site, with police checking homes to make sure everyone's ready. Meanwhile, some locals are choosing to ride it out, batting down hatches with generators fueled up, and even cracking open beers for what one calls A, Cyclone Party.

1:07They know the mass of cleanup ahead, but figure there's little else to do but wait. After crossing Cape York, the storm should lash the Northern Territories' top end before reaching Western Australia's Kimberly Coast. Residents staying put have a stark warning. Emergency crews won't risk rescues in the worst of it. Support for this episode comes from our sponsor. See the description. Headphones in a pillow, simple idea, surprisingly addictive. S-O-L-I-S-O-L-Pillow.com