Image copyright EPA Image caption Satellite imagery shows Cyclone Trevor approaching the northeast state of Queensland

A vast cyclone has crashed into Australia's northern coast, bringing torrential rains and winds of up to 250km/h (155 mph).

Cyclone Trevor made landfall as a category four storm and officials have declared a state of emergency in some areas.

Another storm, Cyclone Veronica, is set to strike the country's west coast.

Thousands of Australians have evacuated their homes in preparation for the two potentially devastating cyclones.

Destructive winds are expected, while heavy rains and large waves threaten to cause severe flooding.

Image copyright EPA Image caption Cyclone Oma hit Queensland in February, bringing severe flooding

It is only the second time in history that two cyclones are predicted to strike the country at the same time.

Tropical Cyclone Trevor hit the communities of Numbulwa and Borroloola in the Northern Territory on Saturday morning.

It was downgraded to a category three shortly after making landfall but officials have warned that it is still dangerous.

"There's a concern that flash flooding may occur," emergency operations official Michael Hebb told AFP news agency.

The storm could bring a year's worth of rain in just a couple of days.

Image caption Trevor will hit communities along the coast in the Northern Territory, while Veronica is expected to strike between Port Hedland and Karratha in Western Australia

In the biggest ever evacuation ahead of a cyclone, people living in its the path have moved into tented sites in Darwin and Katherine.

Some of those who were evacuated say they are worried about what they will return to.

"We are only new to the area and the house we are in isn't going to sustain the expected winds that are predicted," Emily Crawford, who evacuated to Darwin, told AFP.

Emergency services and the military were called in to rescue residents from the island of Groote Eylandt, off the north coast on Thursday.

The last evacuation of a similar scale was for Tropical Cyclone Tracy, which killed 49 people in Darwin in 1974.

"All the locals that I've talked to say it really is one of the biggest weather events here in the last 20 years or so," Kristy O'Brien, journalist for the broadcaster ABC, told the BBC.

"When you look on a map of Australia it just takes up the entire northern half. It's quite phenomenal - it's about 1,000km or so wide."

'Massive weather event'

Cyclone Veronica is due to hit the northwest coast of Australia between Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning.

Very strong gusts are expected and the Bureau of Meteorology in Western Australia said a "severe impact" is likely.

In the mining town of Port Headland, where the storm is set to strike first, supermarkets have been stripped bare as residents stockpile in preparation, ABC News reported.

The town's mayor, Camilo Blanco, has warned residents to be ready for "this massive weather event" and people have been protecting their houses with sandbags.

"Tie down your stuff in your yard, go next door and make sure that your neighbours are ready," Mr Blanco said.</s>A category four cyclone is tracking towards the North West Coast of Western Australia, with residents warned to prepare themselves for the potential loss of power, water and gas. Locals in Karratha have been filing sandbags in order to prepare for the forecast heavy rainfalls and subsequent flooding. The severe cyclone is expected to reach the Pilbara Coast on Saturday.

A police spokesman warned: “This severe tropical cyclone has the ability to impact lives and homes, and all warnings must be acted on.



“People should prepare themselves to lose power, water and gas. Without power, people should make sure they have a battery radio that can reach ABC.”



Across the Pilbara Coast, supermarket shelves are empty as residents rushed to stock up ahead of the impending cyclone.



Locals have stocked up on non-perishable food and bottled water, as Cyclone Veronica tracks closer to land.

Where is Cyclone Veronica now?



As of the Bureau of Meteorology’s (BOM) latest update at 10.58pm local time (1.58pm GMT), Cyclone Veronica was located 185 kilometres north of Mornington Is and 305 kilometres east northeast of Borroloola. 



According to BOM’s latest update, Cyclone Veronica was registering as a category three cyclone, with sustained winds of 93mph (150km/h) and gusts reaching more than 127mph (205km/h.)



Whilst Cyclone Veronica’s organisation has weakened slightly, however, BOM reports that “it has retained a distinct though ragged eye.”



“Microwave imagery suggests the underlying structure remains well organised.”



A BOM spokesman said: “Tropical Cyclone Veronica remains category four and is currently 350km north of Port Hedland.



“It’s travelling at five to 10 kilometres per hour toward the coast and it’s expected to make landfall overnight Saturday or Sunday morning.” Read More: Cyclone Idai latest: Mozambique death toll 'could rise above 1000'

The cyclone is most likely to reach land at Karratha and Port Hedland, which is land of almost 200km.



Damaging winds, heavy rainfall, dangerous storm surges and major flooding are all predicted. 



One resident, Brandon Vermuellen, told Australian News service 9News: “A few days ago we started to see all the shelves empty and the weather forecast and we started to get a bit nervous.



“We've got some non-perishable food, heaps of water and some beers to get us through.”</s>SYDNEY, Australia — About 2,000 Australians were being moved inland Thursday from part of the northern coast ahead of a powerful cyclone expected to hit this weekend.

Evacuees were being moved by air and road from remote, mostly indigenous communities on the east coast of the Northern Territory, with most going to the provincial capital, Darwin.

Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology said Cyclone Trevor, with sustained winds of 200 km/h and gusts of up to 255 km/h, was expected to bring heavy rainfall and a dangerous storm surge.

An emergency was declared in communities along the western Gulf of Carpentaria where Trevor is expected to make landfall on Saturday, Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner said.

At landfall, Trevor is forecast to be a Category 4 severe tropical cyclone, roughly similar to a Category 2 or 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale used in the U.S.

Bureau of Meteorology spokesman Todd Smith said a further intensification has not been ruled out. Flash flooding was likely, with heavy rains of up to 20 centimetres in a day set to fall on ground “hard-baked” by drought, Smith said.

Gunner said the decision to evacuate the communities in the cyclone’s path was due to their remoteness.

Almost 1,000 people had left the towns of Groote Eylandt and nearby Numbulwar by late Thursday, Gunner said. Most of Borroloola’s 900 residents were expected to be evacuated, along with several smaller communities. Most would be housed in temporary accommodations in Darwin, he said.

Air force Hercules aircraft, along with helicopters, buses and cars were being used to transport evacuees to Darwin and nearby Katherine, with sleeping areas set up in buildings on local fairgrounds, Smith said. Steps were being taken to ensure indigenous cultural protocols were respected and tribal languages used.

It’s the largest pre-cyclone evacuation in Northern Territory history, and the largest cyclone-related exodus since Cyclone Tracy hit Darwin in 1974, killing 71 people and forcing 30,000 to flee the city.

Trevor earlier crossed the Cape York peninsula in northern Queensland state, causing flooding, closing roads and knocking out power. No fatalities have been recorded.

Meanwhile, another powerful category 4 cyclone was bearing down on the other side of Australia’s northern rim.

Cyclone Veronica is expected to reach the Pilbara area on the north coast of Western Australia state over the weekend.

“While it is possible the cyclone may weaken before reaching the Pilbara coast, a severe impact is likely,” the Bureau of Meteorology said in a statement.</s>Tropical Cyclone Trevor is set to make landfall in NT within hours.

Tropical Cyclone Trevor is set to make landfall in NT within hours.

Cyclone Trevor is expected to smash into the Northern Territory coast, with forecasters predicting the wild cyclone to make landfall between Borroloola and Burketown within hours.

Groote Eylandt will be one of the first places to feel the effects of Tropical Cyclone Trevor when gale force winds hit this afternoon, according to NT News.

The category four storm cell is expected to produce destructive wind gusts of 275km/h as it crosses the coast near the Northern Territory's border with Queensland about 10am Darwin time (11.30am AEDT).

Emergency Services have not ruled out the possibility of the cyclone intensifying up to a Category 5 system in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Thousands of residents in the cyclone's path have been evacuated, including the entire coastline from Numbulwar to the NT/QLD border.

2100 people from East Arnhem Land have also registered at emergency evacuation centres, with 1200 sleeping at cyclone shelters across the Territory and the remainder choosing to stay with family, friends or in accommodation.

Ahead of the approaching storms, the state has launched its largest evacuation since Cyclone Tracy hit in 1974

Meteorologist Todd Smith warned the cyclone, which is currently moving southwest at 16km/h, could change direction or surge to Category 5 as it intensifies.

The eye of Cyclone Trevor is forecast to be 30-50 kilometres wide, while the entire system spans roughly 200km.

Residents have been warned to expect gale-force winds, rain and tidal surges 300 kilometres out from its core, the Bureau of Meteorology says.

Head of NT Emergency Services Jason Collins said anyone remaining in Trevor's path needs to have supplies to last at least three days, take shelter and stay away from waterways.

"Turn around, don't drown, we may not be there to save you," he told AP reporters in Darwin late on Friday.

Current predictions suggest the cyclone will move more than 400 kilometres inland before it weakens to a tropical storm.

Trevor left behind a trail of damage in Queensland's Cape York Peninsula earlier this week, uprooting trees, causing flooding and roof damage, closing schools and roads, and knocking out power supplies.

Over in Western Australia, along the Pilbara coast are also preparing for a Category 4 storm to make landfall within the next 24 hours.

Cyclone Veronica is set cross the Pilbara coastline between Karratha and Port Hedland late tonight or very early tomorrow morning, bringing with her wind gusts of up to 275km/h and major storm tides.

BOM meteorologist Jonathan How told Today this morning that the heavy rainfall caused by Cyclone Veronica could cause flooding of up to one metre in height.</s>Evacuations are underway across western Australia and the Northern Territory as Australians brace for two massive tropical cyclones to hit this week. Officials have declared a state of emergency in the Northern Australia’s Gulf of Carpentaria ahead of Cyclone Trevor's arrival. The terrifying storm is expected to make landfall as a category 4 storm with 170mph winds on Saturday. Areas between Groote Eylandt and Borroloola will be at the centre of the storm as it crashes ashore in the evening local time.

The largest evacuation of the territory is underway since Australia’s deadliest storm, Cyclone Tracy, hit in 1974 killing 49 people in Darwin. Evacuations are now mandatory after the state of emergency was declared. Chief Minister Michael Gunner earlier urged residents in the affected areas to heed the warnings because of life-threatening storm surge. A warning zone is in place for Cape Shield in the Northern Territory to Burketown in Queensland.

The warning covers Borroloola, Groote Eylandt and Mornington Island, and Kowanyama to Mapoon. Trevor has slowed down after hitting Queensland but is rapidly re-intensifying over the Gulf of Carpentaria. Todd Smith, the Northern Territory manager of the Bureau of Meteorology, told a press conference on Thursday: "We are expecting to see rapid intensification over the next 12 to 24 hours "It's really important that people understand this is a very serious cyclone.

“Not only is it very intense, it's very large, it covers a broad area, so people are going to be impacted by it." Meteorologists have also ordered evacuations for a second category 4 cyclone churning across the Indian Ocean towards western Australia. Cyclone Veronica is predicted to hit the Pilbara coast this week as a category 3 cyclone.</s>A satellite image from the Bureau of Meteorology showing Tropical Cyclone Trevor bearing down on the NT coast on Friday evening

A satellite image from the Bureau of Meteorology showing Tropical Cyclone Trevor bearing down on the NT coast on Friday evening

ONE of the wildest cyclones in living memory will lash the Northern Territory mainland this morning.

The destructive core of severe Tropical Cyclone Trevor, packing wind gusts up to 275km/h, is expected to make landfall at 10am between Borroloola and the NT/QLD border as a Category 4 system.

Emergency services have not ruled out the possibility of the cyclone ratcheting up to a Category 5 system as the cyclone intensifies in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

The eye of the cyclone is estimated between 30-50km wide.

A Cyclone Warning remains in place from Cape Shield to Karumba and inland to Creswell Downs.

Bureau of Meteorology NT manager Todd Smith said coastal communities can expect dangerous storm tides, destructive winds and heavy rainfall when the cyclone hits.

"This is a very dangerous tropical cyclone," he said.

"There is uncertainty of where it will cross (the mainland), so people will need to be advanced in their planning."

After making landfall the cyclone is expected to move south west into the Barkly region.

"As the system continues to track inland and weaken below cyclone strength, we are expecting strong winds and heavy rainfall that could lead to flash flooding right down into the Barkly, including Tennant Creek," Mr Smith said.

Communities on Groote Eylandt last night took shelter as the cyclone swept south of the island.

Many from those communities were evacuated to Darwin, but those who remained, particularly in the communities of Angurugu and Alyangula, were told to brace for gale force winds.

A communications blackout hit the island on Friday with landline, mobile and internet services disconnected.

The Northern Territory Emergency Service (NTES) implored those anywhere near the cyclone's strike zone to immediately prepare themselves, their families and their homes.

"This cyclone is going to be dynamic and it's going to move fast," said NTES chief officer Jason Collins

"Those in remote communities who aren't used to cyclonic conditions need to start preparing their homes, removing all debris and securing any loose items."

The cyclone has the potential to damage critical infrastructure, with the Power and Water Corporation advising that water supplies in Borroloola, Groote Eylandt, Ngukurr, and Numbulwar could be compromised.

The Department of Health on Friday recommended any individuals in these areas to use boiled or bottled water for drinking, cooking and teeth cleaning should water supplies fail.</s>Cyclone Veronica is predicted to hit the Pilbara coast this week as a category 4 cyclone and residents living in the Pilbara district between Pardoo and Mardie remain risk from a devastating storm surge, dangerous winds and major flooding. Supermarket shelves have been pictured empty as people desperately stockpile food before hunkering down as the “dangerous system” approaches land. Andrea Peace, Meteorologist at the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), explained the severity of the cyclone and said: “Now, severe tropical cyclone Veronica remains a category four system off Western Australia and is moving slowly towards the coast.

“Communities between Pardoo and Mardie, including Barrow Island, are likely to begin feeling the effects of these large and dangerous system overnight tonight with gale force winds developing. “A severe coastal impact remains likely over the weekend with very destructive winds, a very dangerous storm surge and very heavy rainfall conducive to major flooding.” The BOM forecaster warned that between midnight on Friday (local time) and 6AM on Saturday morning, the system will strengthen and intensify into a category five system before weakening back to category four before reaching the coast. Ms Peace said: “Communities between within this watch and warning area should be preparing now for destructive win gusts in excess of 125kmph (77mph) from Saturday.

“Now, the strongest winds will be near the centre of the cyclone and we could see gusts in excess of 225kmph (140mph), and this sort of wind can cause significant damage. “A very dangerous storm surge is a real concern as this cyclone approaches the coast. “That’s because this system is really slow-moving, meaning that there is lots of time for water to build up on the northern and easter flanks of the system. “So, over the weekend storm tides are likely to rise significantly. We could see waves in excess of eight metres along the coast between Port Hedland and Karratha, leading to very dangerous coastal inundation.

“A flood watch has been issued for the Pilbara district rivers with very heavy rain beginning from Saturday. “The heaviest falls will be close to the coast and, again, near the cyclone centre, with localised daily falls between 200mm to 500mm possible. Further inland, slightly less falls expected with 100mm to 300mm possible between Saturday and Tuesday. “But major flooding is likely in the Pilbara district.” Cyclone Veronica is one of two severe cyclones heading towards Australia. Ms Peace said: “We now have two severe cyclones in the Australian region and if they cross the coast within 24 hours of each other as a category four or above, it would only be the second known occurrence of this happening.” A state of emergency has been declared in Northern Australia’s Gulf of Carpentaria ahead of Cyclone Trevor's arrival on Saturday. The terrifying storm is expected to make landfall as a category 4 storm with 170mph winds at about midnight GMT (10am AEST) tomorrow.</s>Officials declared the state of emergency in the Northern Territory following reports the cyclone is set to strike. According to News.com.au, huge evacuations have been taking place throughout large areas of northern Australia. The territory’s government said the declaration was in its Gulf region.

The dangerous category 4 storm is expected to arrive on Saturday. The Bureau of Meteorology warned on Twitter the cyclone could have a severe impact on the area. The organisation, which monitors the weather for Australia, said a second cyclone, called Veronica, could also strike at the same time. READ MORE: Super Moon 2019: How to see Australia Supermoon TONIGHT

“The loop shows it develop from a Category 1 to Category 4 over the last 24 hours. “It will approach the Pilbara coast during the weekend.” Category 4 cyclones are defined as “severe” with wind speeds reportedly reaching 279kmph. Threats to homes, caravans and large scale power failures are all expected during those types of storms.

Emergency services in the area told residents to not go outside especially when in the eye of the cyclone, claiming “destructive winds from a different direction could resume at any time”. Weather bureau meteorologist Lauren Pattrie said: “It’s a little early to say how strong that system will be when it comes, but we are likely to see an increase in shower and storm activity for the southern part of Queensland. “At this stage we aren’t expecting any particularly significant rainfall totals.” More than 1,000 people in Groote Eylandt and hundreds of people from Numbulwar have been evacuated.</s>UPDATED: Cyclone Trevor is excepted to cross the coast at 10am.

It sits just 155 kilometres east northeast of Borroloola and is moving at 19km/h.

The cyclone is now a Category 4 system with sustained winds near the centre of 175km/h with wind gusts up to 250km/h.

It is now the size of the state of New South Wales.

Eerily on this day 35 years ago Cyclone Kathy crossed the coast in the same area as a Category 4 system.

The latest Bureau of Meteorology advice warns the cyclone has a very destructive core.

It is expected to cross the Northern Territory coast this morning before moving inland, into the Barkly District during today and tonight.

The cyclone will weaken below cyclone strength by Sunday afternoon.

BOM warns the very destructive core of Severe Tropical Cyclone Trevor is forecast to cross the southern coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria between Port McArthur and the NT/Queensland Border this morning with very destructive winds.

Gusts to 250km/h near the cyclone centre is forecast.

The wind will ease gradually as the cyclone moves inland.

Destructive winds, with gusts to 155km/h are occurring along the coast between Port McArthur and the NT/Qld border and will extend west to Borroloola during the late morning and then inland to Cape Crawford during the afternoon.

Gales, with gusts to 100km/h are occurring over southeast parts of Groote Eylandt and will ease during the afternoon.

EARLIER: ONE of the wildest cyclones in living memory will lash the Northern Territory mainland this morning.

The destructive core of severe Tropical Cyclone Trevor, packing wind gusts up to 275km/h, is expected to make landfall at 10am between Borroloola and the NT/QLD border as a Category 4 system.

Emergency services have not ruled out the possibility of the cyclone ratcheting up to a Category 5 system as the cyclone intensifies in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

The eye of the cyclone is estimated between 30-50km wide.

A Cyclone Warning remains in place from Cape Shield to Karumba and inland to Creswell Downs.

Bureau of Meteorology NT manager Todd Smith said coastal communities can expect dangerous storm tides, destructive winds and heavy rainfall when the cyclone hits.

“This is a very dangerous tropical cyclone,” he said.

“There is uncertainty of where it will cross (the mainland), so people will need to be advanced in their planning.”

After making landfall the cyclone is expected to move south west into the Barkly region.

“As the system continues to track inland and weaken below cyclone strength, we are expecting strong winds and heavy rainfall that could lead to flash flooding right down into the Barkly, including Tennant Creek,” Mr Smith said.

Communities on Groote Eylandt last night took shelter as the cyclone swept south of the island.

Many from those communities were evacuated to Darwin, but those who remained, particularly in the communities of Angurugu and Alyangula, were told to brace for gale force winds.

A communications blackout hit the island on Friday with landline, mobile and internet services disconnected.

The Northern Territory Emergency Service (NTES) implored those anywhere near the cyclone’s strike zone to immediately prepare themselves, their families and their homes.

“This cyclone is going to be dynamic and it’s going to move fast,” said NTES chief officer Jason Collins

“Those in remote communities who aren’t used to cyclonic conditions need to start preparing their homes, removing all debris and securing any loose items.”

The cyclone has the potential to damage critical infrastructure, with the Power and Water Corporation advising that water supplies in Borroloola, Groote Eylandt, Ngukurr, and Numbulwar could be compromised.

The Department of Health on Friday recommended any individuals in these areas to use boiled or bottled water for drinking, cooking and teeth cleaning should water supplies fail.</s>Residents in the Northern Territory and Queensland are bracing for extreme weather as Cyclones Trevor and Veronica hit this weekend.

Hundreds of people have spent the night in temporary shelters in the Northern Territory and 2100 people have been evacuated from East Arnhem Land - the biggest evacuation since 1974.

Cyclone Trevor, a Category 4 storm, is expected to devastate property and could destroy entire villages.

A further 500 people were registered at the Marrara evacuation centre and the entire Northern Territory coastline across to Queensland has been evacuated.

Weatherzone meteorologist Graeme Brittain said that the cyclone will hit in the next few hours with gusts of up to 275km/h.

'There will be severe weather for the next couple of days but as it moves inland it will weaken,' he said.

Emergency services are preparing for the cyclone to reach a Category 5 at the Gulf of Carpentaria.

'Flooding is a real danger as the system will rise and rainfall will increase,' Mr Brittain said.

The Department of Territory Families General Manager Brent Warren told Nine News that people won't be leaving evacuation centres until next week.

'We brought people here to keep them safe from the cyclone so we won't be returning them until we get the all clear at the other end.'

'The tracking we've got into the cyclone says that it'll still be moving inland as a cyclone on Sunday, potentially into Monday,' he said.

Cyclone Trevor made landfall in Far North Queensland on Tuesday as wind gusts of about about 150km/h crossed south of Lockhart River.

Communities were in lockdown and police are still urging Queenslanders to be extremely cautious as cyclone warnings remain in place.

Western Australia is also bracing for a Category 4 storm as Cyclone Veronica is expected to cross the coast on Sunday.

Wind gusts of up to 275km/h are expected to hit between Karratha and Port Hedland.

Cyclones are frequent in Australia's tropical north but two large storms as Cyclones Trevor and Veronica crossing land on the same weekend is rare.
Thousands have been forced to evacuate their homes as two potentially devastating cyclones are expected to hit the country this weekend. Cyclone Trevor will make landfall in the north near Numbulwar and Borroloola, while Cyclone Veronica, a Category 4 storm, will strike Pilbara on Australia's west coast.