Category 5 Tropical Cyclone Ita is seen approaching the far north Queensland coast of Australia, in this NOAA satellite file image taken at 0130EST/0530GMT on April 10, 2014. People in heavily populated Pacific and Indian Ocean coastal regions beyond the
Cyclone Nathan is moving closer to the coast of Queensland. The fifth tropical cyclone has been looming near northern Australia in recent months. IN PHOTO: Category 5 Tropical Cyclone Ita is seen approaching the far north Queensland coast of Australia, in this NOAA satellite file image taken at 0130EST/0530GMT on April 10, 2014. REUTERS/NOAA/Handout via Reuters REUTERS/NOAA/Handout via Reute

Cyclone Nathan is moving closer to the coast of Queensland. The fifth tropical cyclone has been looming near northern Australia in the last months. Approaching from the far north coast, the cyclone is expected to bring flash floods and gales to residents from Coean to Cape Tribulation.

Australia’s weather bureau has warned of Nathan’s core, which is predicted to intensify from Category 2 to Category 3 storm. The weather bureau said the cyclone will stop short of the coast and reverse its course in the evening of Mar. 12, reports The Guardian.

Jess Carey, spokesman for the Bureau of Meteorology, said the risk of widespread flash flooding would be increased as rainfall reached 200mm south of Cairns overnight. He said the weather bureau wants to warn people of the possibility of flash floods.

Casey added that the worst of the strong winds will remain offshore but gale force winds are still expected on a significant area of the coastline. He said the bureau will issue more severe weather warnings in north Queensland.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services regional director Wayne Coutts said residents should ensure they are ready for the possibility of severe weather. He said a lot of rain has fallen in the region recently.

Coutts encouraged families to prepare their emergency kits with essential supplies such as food, water, clothes and medicine. Valuables, important documents and sleeping gear must be secured. The regional director warned people not to enter flooded creeks by vehicle or foot since it can be extremely dangerous.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services said residents in the Pilbara between Port Hedland and Ningaloo will need to prepare their homes and families for heavy rainfall and strong winds. Winds with gusts of up to 100 kilometres per hour may develop between Karratha and Exmouth on Mar. 12.

The weather bureau had warned that heavy rainfall in western Pilbara and northern Gascoyne may lead to flooding. ABC reports that Cyclone Nathan is expected to affect the Pacific.

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