Australia – Tropical Cyclone Ita

Tropical Cyclone Ita, an extremely powerful Category 5 storm, continued tracking toward the Cape York Peninsula in northern Queensland, Australia April 11 and is projected to make landfall near Cape Flattery. Ita is already bringing rains to coastal areas of northeast Queensland. Very heavy rain is forecast along the Cape York Peninsula and North Tropical Coast and Tablelands districts April 11-April 12, and may lead to flash flooding. Strong wind gusts up to 177 mph are forecast starting early April 11, and will probably down trees and power lines, complicating ground travel. Rail line and road closures are likely. Ita is expect to weaken over land, but if it travels south along the coast it could potentially bring destructive winds to the tourist hubs of Port Douglas and Cairns.