Cyclone downgraded but Top End braces for more rain

Lincoln has weakened below cyclone intensity but will continue to deliver strong winds and heavy rain to already soaked areas of the Top End as the system drifts towards Western Australia.

Expected to reach WA's Kimberley region by Monday, Lincoln does however have the potential to redevelop as a tropical cyclone off the coast next week, perhaps by Thursday, forecasters say.

Coastal communities were placed on alert as Lincoln made landfall on the Gulf of Carpentaria's southwest coast on Friday evening.

It was feared the then category one storm would batter already rain-lashed centres in the Northern Territory before moving inland and weakening in intensity.

A severe weather warning was issued for heavy rain and damaging winds for the western Gulf Country including Queensland's Burketown, with wind gusts up to 110km/h and downpours predicted.

Severe storms were also forecast for the Peninsula and North West.

Tennant Creek and Elliott in the NT, and some northern parts of Queensland were expected to record 24-hour rainfall totals of 50mm to 100mm, with 200mm possible in isolated areas.

The Bureau of Meteorology said early Saturday that ex-Tropical Cyclone Lincoln was laying over the eastern Carpentaria District and would move across the northern Barkly and northern Tanami, bringing heavy rain before entering WA early next week.

A ridge over central Australia will weaken over the weekend, causing humidity over southern districts to increase, and bringing the chance of showers and thunderstorms.

The bureau said the system was at "moderate" risk of becoming a cyclone again if it reached waters west of the Kimberley in WA later next week.

In Queensland's northwest, communities remain isolated following widespread flooding in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Kirrily, which lingered for days after crossing the state's coast weeks ago.

More than 60 residents have been evacuated from Burketown, which recorded 135mm of rain in 24 hours.

In the NT, people have been evacuated from the community of Beswick, south of Katherine.

The body of a woman was found in a submerged car in floodwaters near Mount Isa on Thursday. It is believed the 28-year-old had tried to drive through a flooded causeway.

Meanwhile, low-lying areas of Brisbane were under water on Friday after the city had its wettest day since the 2022 floods.

Rosalie recorded 197mm, Bowen Hills copped 135mm and 148mm soaked Mt Cootha.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store