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2010-03-31 16:22:43 - Extreme Weather - Australia EDIS CODE: ST-20100331-25543-AUS
Date & Time: 2010-03-31 16:22:43 [UTC]
Area: Australia, State of Northern Territory, East Arnhem and Roper Gulf areas, Not confirmed information! Description: An emergency situation has been declared for ravaged parts of the East Arnhem and Roper Gulf areas as ex-cyclone Paul threatens to reform again today. NT Police Commissioner John McRoberts said a 24-hour emergency centre in Katherine had been set up and police from Darwin had been transferred to it to help, while a helicopter was on standby in Nhulunbuy. He said the counter disaster council - made up of emergency and essential services representatives - was meeting regularly to make sure responses were coordinated and ready to go. Mr McRoberts said it was not yet known how many people had been affected - most communities were cut off and the picture was still unclear. "Access to ... these communities is very restricted and in most cases only accessible by helicopter," he said. Chief Minister Paul Henderson said people would be eligible for personal hardship assistance, and the NT would get cash through the Commonwealth's national disaster relief funds to rebuild. But he was not able to say when the assessing and work would begin, as the weather is still causing problems. The weather bureau has recorded significant rainfall throughout the region already, and has issued a severe weather warning for more damaging wind gusts and heavy rainfall. Last night it was warning that the ex-cyclone could move back into the Gulf of Carpentaria today and reform tomorrow.
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