As Tropical Cyclone Ita impacts on far northern area of Australia, the Wireless Institute Civil Emergency Network (WICEN) has declared a number of frequencies for health and welfare traffic including 7.088 MHz an 3.588 MHz, as well as 2m and 70cm

Dale McCarthy VK4DMC reports that at this point in time the cyclone has crossed the coast at Cape Flattery which is just north of Cooktown as a severe category 4 system.

Cooktown is experiencing very strong wind and heavy rain. The system will track south/west over the next 12 to 24 hours and possibly impact on the Atherton Tablelands, Port Douglas and Cairns before heading south towards Townsville.

Jim Linton VK3PC
Chairman IARU Region 3 Disaster Communications Committee