Tropical Cyclone Marcus passed over Darwin in Australia’s Northern Territory state, as a Category 2 system on 17 March, 2018, with sustained winds near the centre of 95km/hr and wind gusts to 130km/h.
As of Sunday, 18 March, Tropical Cyclone Marcus had reached the Kimberley coast as a category two system, with gusts of 150 km/h, affecting coastal and island communities from Wyndham to Mitchell Plateau, including Kalumburu and Mitchell Plateau.
Credit: NASA MODIS Rapid Response Team
Damage
On 17 march, Northern Territory Emergency Services (NTES) said it was working through a call log of around 200 incidents across the region.
“We have a high number of reports of downed trees and power lines across the region,” Regional Controller Warren Jackson said.
As of 18 March, power was yet to be restored across the Greater Darwin area, with around 25,800 of about 60,000 properties without electricity.
With many houses currently without power and running water, the Department of Health issued advice regarding water. All residents throughout the Greater Darwin region should boil water and leave to cool before consuming or using for oral hygiene.
Rainfall
Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) warned the system will bring heavy rainfall and higher than normal tides through the area, which could produce some minor flooding of low-lying areas.
Some heavy rain was recorded in parts of Northern Territory state. In a 24 hour period to 16 March, 158.2 mm of rain fell at Warruwi Airport and 103.4 mm at Croker Island Airport, both in Northern Territory state.
The next day 110.2 mm fell at Warruwi Airport, 91.6 mm at Oenpelli Airport and 85.6 mm at Pirlangimpi Airport.
In the last 24 hours (17 to 18 March) 136.4 mm was recorded at Gunn Point, 110.6 mm at Charles Point, 130.63mm at Leanyer, 73.4 mm at Marrara and 59.8 mm at Darwin Airport.
Track
BoM forecast that Tropical Cyclone Marcus intensify over the next 24 hours, but will continue to move westwards away from land and out to sea.
Social Media
Some observations from today from Tropical #CycloneMarcus. Advices are now being issued three hourly as Marcus moves away from the #TopEnd coast. pic.twitter.com/rhBETedokY
— Bureau of Meteorology, Northern Territory (@BOM_NT) March 17, 2018
