Cook Shire Mayor Robyn Holmes provides an important community update as Tropical Cyclone Narelle is forecast to make landfall in the northern part of Cook Shire, near Coen and Portland Roads.
For residents in Coen and surrounding communities, now is the time to act.
Key preparation steps include:
- Store clean drinking water now – water supply will be temporarily turned off during severe weather
- Secure homes and properties
- Clear loose debris from yards
- Prepare emergency kits and household plans
Council has already begun proactive measures, including relocating vulnerable residents and opening the Coen landfill 24 hours to assist with clean-up and preparation. Sandbags are also available for residents.
For most people, the safest option is to shelter in place in a secure location, ideally with family or friends.
Across the rest of Cook Shire — including Cooktown, Rossville, Bloomfield, Laura and Lakeland — residents should also prepare for heavy rainfall, strong winds, and possible localised flooding.
Important for Cooktown residents:
Kerbside collection has been moved forward to Thursday morning (before 6am). Do not put bins out on Friday.
Cook Shire Council is working closely with emergency services, with Resilience Hubs and Recovery Officers in place across the region.
Stay informed. Prepare early. Stay safe.
Preparedness is about being ready — not being worried.
For updates, visit the Cook Shire Disaster Dashboard and follow advice from the Bureau of Meteorology.
