Nora to hit Qld as category 3 storm

Cyclone Nora has hit the western coast of Cape York as a category 3 storm, bringing destructive winds and heavy rain that will cause flash flooding across much of Far North Queensland.

There were fears it may intensify into a category 4 cyclone with very destructive winds gusting up to 270 km/h but on Saturday BoM Queensland manager Bruce Gunn said Nora was no longer expected to intensify.

It had been weakened by dry air from Cape York but was still a very severe category 3 system with winds gusting up to 190km/h at its 100km-wide core.

It crossed the Cape York Peninsula early on Sunday morning and lies near Pormpuraaw. It is moving southeast over land and weakening to a category 2 storm as it approaches Kowanyama later in the day.

If Nora hits populated areas, roof and structural damage is expected.

"This is a severe cyclone," Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said after meeting with the disaster management committee on Saturday afternoon.

State disaster coordinator deputy commissioner Bob Gee advised the 10,000 people in areas predicted to be affected to use the time before the storm arrived to prepare.

"Lock down tonight, safe and secure, take your supplies with you and stay there until it is safe to come out," he said.

SES leaders and extra police have been deployed to remote communities to assist but when Nora hits it will be too dangerous for anyone to be outside, he said.

Swift water rescue crews have also been stationed along the western Cape York coast.

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