Tropical cyclone Nicholas

Tropical cyclone Nicholas is forecast to strike Australia at about 00:00 GMT on 18 February.
Data supplied by the
US Navy and Air Force Joint Typhoon Warning Center
suggest that the point of landfall
will be
near
20.1 S,
114.7 E.
Nicholas
is expected to bring
1-minute maximum sustained winds to the region of around
157 km/h (97 mph).
Wind gusts in the area may
be
considerably higher.

According to the Saffir-Simpson damage scale the potential property damage and flooding from a
storm of
Nicholas's
strength
(category 2)
at landfall includes:

• Storm surge generally 1.8-2.4 metres (6-8 feet) above normal.
  
• Some roofing material, door, and window damage of buildings.
  
• Considerable damage to shrubbery and trees with some trees blown down.
  
• Considerable damage to mobile homes, poorly constructed signs, and piers.
  
• Coastal and low-lying escape routes flood 2-4 hours before arrival of the storm center.
  
• Small craft in unprotected anchorages break moorings.
  

There is also the potential for flooding further inland due to heavy rain.

The information above is provided for guidance only and should not be used
to make life or death decisions or decisions relating to property. Anyone in
the region who is concerned for their personal safety or property should
contact their official national weather agency or warning centre for advice.

This alert is provided by Tropical
Storm Risk (TSR) which is sponsored by Benfield, Royal & SunAlliance,
Crawford & Company and University College London (UCL). TSR acknowledges the
support of the UK Met Office.