Darwin has been battered by 130km/h winds as Tropical Cyclone Marcus sent trees flying through the streets and brought down powerlines, prompting the rescue of people from a sinking boat near the city.
The eye of the category two storm has now moved past the city but emergency services say it’s still not safe to go outside.
Marcus is now headed towards the Timor Sea and is expected to hit Western Australia’s Kimberley Coast on Sunday, bringing wind gusts of up to 150km/h.
Darwin was ripped apart after Tropical Cyclone Marcus tore through earlier today (pictured)
The Northern Territory capital was battered by 130km/h winds and brought down powerlines
The eye of the category two storm has now moved past the city but emergency services say it’s still not safe to go outside
Marcus is now headed towards the Timor Sea and is expected to hit Western Australia’s Kimberley Coast on Sunday, bringing wind gusts of up to 150km/h (Darwin damage pictured)
Shattered glass windows and water filled the inside of houses and motels (pictured)
The storm brought down hundreds of powerlines and trees and damaged property across Darwin and also affected the city’s drinking supply.
Residents have been told to boil drinking water as a precaution until further notice.
Meanwhile, water police were called out to rescue two people from two boats that collided after one of them slipped its moorings in Sangove Creek as the storm struck.
Officers rescued an elderly couple from one of the boats and two people from the other vessel, which was taking on water, however a third person refused to leave.
Residents have been told to stay inside and emergency services are only responsible for critical incidents until the category two storm passes.
However, some residents did not seem phased by the cyclone and decided to enjoy a beer in a swimming pool for a friend’s birthday.
A warning zone is currently in place from Cape Hotham to Mitchell Plateau, including Darwin and southern parts of the Tiwi Islands.
A tin roof was ripped off by the cyclone and even tipped one tin shed upside down (pictured)
Residents have been told to stay inside and emergency services are only responsible for critical incidents until the category two storm passes
Despite warnings to stay out of the storm, a group of people were seen enjoying a beer
One local took to social media to say they hadn’t seen one street without a tree down
Flights in and out of Darwin have been cancelled and businesses have been told to close
Despite the heavy rain, some businesses opened early on Saturday to let customers purchase supplies
Flights in and out of Darwin have been cancelled and businesses have been told to close their doors, though some had opened early on Saturday to let customers purchase supplies.
Northern Territory locals shared the trail of destruction left by Tropical Cyclone Marcus which include roofs being ripped off and sheds being blown upside down.
Walking paths and roads have become unusable with huge tree trunks and branches littering the thru ways with one local saying they hadn’t seen a street without a tree down.
Street signs were torn from the ground while an iconic McDonald’s sign was also destroyed.
Marcus’ presence was felt with entire root systems of decade old trees were pulled out of round-a-bout centres and fans were left bent.
Caravan park residents were reportedly told to evacuate Saturday afternoon after a tree fell onto a gas cylinder at a local service station.
Despite warnings to remain inside, one local reported seeing a line of cars stretching down the street from a bottle shop ten minutes after it re-opened.
Northern Territory locals shared the trail of destruction left by Tropical Cyclone Marcus
Streets signs were pulled from the ground during the cyclone which is now heading down the coast
The eye of Tropical Cyclone Marcus has passed over Darwin and is heading towards the Kimberly region