Roughly 500 Numbulwar residents will be evacuated to the Nightcliff High School gym starting midday today ahead of Tropical Cyclone Narelle, the NT Government said, with fences erected and security on site to allow classes to continue, as warnings continue for Territorians to prepare ahead of the system making landfall in the NT over the weekend.

Meanwhile, flood evacuees from Nauiyu and Palumpa already in Darwin will enter what the government called “stage 2 evacuation measures”, that will see Palumpa residents moved from Marrara to the Batchelor Outdoor Education Centre on Friday and Nauiyu residents moved from the Darwin showgrounds to accommodation facilities at the Batchelor Institute on Monday.

The Numbulwar residents are being airlifted to Darwin ahead of Tropical Cyclone Narelle, which is expected to impact the communities of Groote Eylandt, Numbulwar, Ngukurr, Katherine and Beswick from late Saturday.

The cyclone is currently a category four system off the North Queensland coast, which is expected to enter the Gulf of Carpentaria over the next couple of days, first as a category two before intensifying to a category three by Saturday before making landfall again.

“A decision has been made to evacuate the community as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of all residents,” a statement from SecureNT said on Wednesday night. “Preparations are now underway, with evacuation to take place by air.

“Our number one priority is the preservation of life. By moving people early, we are reducing the risk to the community and to our emergency personnel.”

The statement made no mention of Nightcliff High School, but on Thursday morning, the Department of Education issued a statement to say the high school gym would be used as a “temporary evacuation staging centre”.

“Nightcliff High School staff will remain focused on teaching and student supervision,” the statement said.

“They will not be required to work in the evacuation staging centre, to minimise disruption to students and their learning.

“The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority and the evacuation staging centre will be out of bounds for students with fencing and security on site.”

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said last night in a statement that moving Nauiyu and Palumpa residents to Batchelor would “provide greater privacy and improved access for children to schooling and essential services”, adding that “catering and security will be provided”.

“I want to acknowledge and thank the Batchelor Institute and local stakeholders for their support in accommodating evacuees during this challenging time,” Ms Finocchiaro said.

“We recognise the prolonged impact on these communities, particularly Nauiyu residents, who have now faced evacuation twice in recent months, and we remain committed to supporting them through recovery.”

Territorians told to prepare for Cyclone Narelle

NT authorities are warning all residents in the cyclone’s path to take the situation seriously and prepare in advance.

The cyclone comes as many NT communities are saturated from recent flooding.

Cyclone Narelle projected path as of late Sunday. PIC: BOM

With river systems in the Daly, Roper, and Katherine catchments still elevated, the risk of flooding is increased. Even moderate rainfall could lead to swift rises in river levels and the possibility of renewed flooding, authorities warned.

Incident Controller Kirsten Engels said residents should familiarise themselves with their emergency plans and identify where they would seek shelter if needed.

It is also important to restock emergency kits to provide support for at least three days. Essential items such as water, non-perishable food, medications, important documents, supplies for babies and pets, and bedding should be included, she said.

Residents should also have a battery-powered radio and a first-aid kit on hand, secure any loose outdoor items, and clear their gutters and drains to prevent blockages. Everyone should also prepare for the possibility of isolation by ensuring they have sufficient fuel, food, and communication resources.

NT residents are encouraged to stay informed by monitoring several resources for the latest updates through the Bureau of Meteorology website or app, the SecureNT website and on Facebook.