Norfolk Island

Cyclone Gabrielle, headed for New Zealand, brought destructive winds to Australia's Norfolk Island on Saturday as it continued to track towards the tiny ...

"We expect to see impacts from this cyclone from Sunday starting in the north and spreading south to other parts of northern and central New Zealand," the forecaster said on Saturday. Register for free to Reuters and know the full story SYDNEY, Feb 11 (Reuters) - Cyclone Gabrielle, headed for New Zealand, brought destructive winds to Australia's Norfolk Island on Saturday as it closed in on the tiny external territory in the Pacific Ocean.

Island under red alert as Category 2 Gabrielle throws worst of its weather from 4pm today.

He said forecasters had recommended those on the island to “complete preparations quickly and be prepared to shelter in a safe place”. “While the red alert is in place, please keep listening to the radio for the cyclone’s progress,” EMNI said in a statement. Several residents are without power.

Norfolk Island residents are in for a drenching today as Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle brings intense rainfall and potentially destructive gale force winds to ...

GALE winds are to increase to DESTRUCTIVE WINDS this afternoon/evening. The eye of TC will pass through/close by the island around 9 pm this evening. "Norfolk Island has an incredibly resilient population, has activated their cyclone arrangements and is well-prepared," a Queensland Health spokesperson said. "The plan takes into account staffing, logistics and communication to ensure essential health services are provided to the community of Norfolk Island." "The island has never had a cyclone of this magnitude and none of our houses have built to cyclone standards," she said. "I went through the shops yesterday looking for a few torches for the club, a few lanterns, and of course, they're all sold out in the shops," Mr Sheridan said. The last cyclone to impact the island was a year ago when the eye of Cyclone Dovi passed about 200km to the island's west. "The wind has been increasing quite significantly, it sort of dies down and then there is a huge gust of wind but it is generally picking up." He said that in his experience, cyclones usually "peter out" to a tropical low by the time they reached the island. The bureau has recommended residents and visitors on the island "complete preparations quickly and be prepared to shelter in a safe place". Gabrielle is expected to pass over or close to the island late this afternoon or evening, with gusts of up to 155kph forecast. Norfolk Island residents are in for a drenching today as Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle brings intense rainfall and potentially destructive gale force winds to the region.

Tourists and visitors have been urged to flee, with the last flight leaving the island on Friday afternoon.

Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt said Norfolk Island had only experienced one other cyclone of category-three intensity and Cyclone Gabrielle could bring the strongest winds to the island on record. The centre of the category-three cyclone is predicted to pass over the island on Saturday evening as wind gusts in excess of 200km/h batter the small community. The Bureau of Meteorology said gale-force winds and high waves were expected to develop overnight and worsen during the day as the cyclone closed in on the island, home to around 2000 residents.