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Top End storm develops into cyclone

Sunday December 13, 2009 - 21:04 EDT

Storm clouds gather over Darwin Harbour. - ABC

The weather bureau says a tropical low that dumped a month's worth of rain in less than a day on Darwin has developed into a category 1 tropical cyclone.

Tropical cyclone Laurence is estimated to be 80 kilometres north of Wadeye and 310 kilometres east north-east of Kalumburu.

A cyclone warning has been issued for the coastal areas from the Mitchell plateau to the Western Australian and Northern Territory border.

The cyclone is moving west-northwest at 15 kilometres per hour, but gales of up to 100 kilometres an hour may develop on the north Kimberley coast tomorrow if it moves closer to land.

The Darwin weather bureau's Graham King says the cyclone is expected to move west into the Timor Sea and the wild weather in Darwin should ease.

"Most of the rain is now focused further down the coast into the Darwin-Daly and Adelaide River type area," he said.

"But having said that, there is still a good chance of more falls in the Darwin area and some heavy falls to the south of us."

Mr King says the storm has already dumped hundreds of millimetres of water into Darwin and Batchelor.

"Darwin recorded 250 millimetres," he said.

"That was more than our December average and it happened in less than 24 hours."

The storm flooded roads and pushed down trees and power lines.

The heavy rains have closed Fogg Bay Road at Annie River, Marindja Road between the Labelle Homestead Access and Channel Point Nature Park, and Marrakai Road between Adelaide River and the Margaret River Crossing.

The Power and Water Corporation says repair crews will be travelling around Darwin today restoring power to individual houses.

The storm resulted in power outages in Stuart Park, Parap, Larrakeyah, Marrara, Humpty Doo and Herbert.

Power and Water is asking anyone who sees downed power lines to call its emergency line on 1800 245 090.

About 100 dedicated climate change protesters braved the rain for yesterday's Walk Against Warming.

The event coincided with walks across the country and was officially called off due to wet weather.

But the Environment Centre's Stuart Blanch says a group of passionate people decided to walk anyway.

"We still had 100 people come and do the unofficial Walk Against Warming along the Nightcliff foreshore," he said.

"I met many people who are very concerned about climate change and want our world leaders in Copenhagen to commit to deep cuts."

- ABC

© ABC 2009